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How To Prevent Colds and Flu With Elderberryby Klaus Ferlow, HMH27 November 2010 
For centuries, the berry of the Elder bush (Sambucus nigra) has been popular Gypsy remedy for colds, flu, influenza and neuralgia. Finally, there is now solid evidence to back up the folklore, thanks to Israeli researcher Dr. Madeleine Mumcuoglu, Ph.D. of Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center. In 1980 Dr. Mumcuoglu, intrigued by elderberry's reputation as a cure and preventative for colds and flu, did her thesis on its antiviral effects. Dr. Mumcuoglu patented a procedure to isolate the potent disease-fighting compounds from elderberry, then tested her extract, Sambucol, on patients of a flu outbreak at Kibbutz Aza in Israel. Twenty percent of the flu sufferers who used it showed significant relief from fever, muscle aches, sore throat, inflammation, coughing, and other symptoms within24 hours, and another 73% felt better after the second day. In three days, 90% were reported complete cured! Uses of SambucolInternally, it can be used also for sinusitis, hay fever, bronchitis, eczema, boils, dermatitis, chronic nasal catarrh, and spasmodic croup. Clogged ears due to colds respond well to the flowers, and both have anti-inflammatory properties that fight arthritis and rheumatic pains. It is also used as an ointment for tumors, burns, cuts, chapping, skin eruptions and inflammations. It's also used for night sweats, dropsy and syphilis. Elderberry wine is an old tradition in Europe. Elderberry is purifying to the lungs and skin, promotes perspiration to reduce fevers, soothes the nerves, and works as a laxative. In a similar group that received a placebo, only 16% were improved in two days, and it took most of them six days to feel well again. How Does Elderberry Fight Colds and Flu?Compounds in elderberry bind viruses before they can penetrate the walls of cells, thereby inhibiting their ability to spread. Since elderberry is nontoxic when cooked, it is safe for children. The hot tea from the flowers and juice from the berries promotes sweating--preferably adding on lemon juice and honey--and is soothing for upper respiratory infections. The tea is also considered to be anti-rheumatic, laxative, and detoxifying. Old Lore and Uses of ElderberryMy family and I have a large elderberry bush in our garden and make our own elderberry juice each year. In ancient times, elderberry bushes were believed to have special mystical properties, and it was considered good luck to plant it near your house to protect against disease and evil spirits. Elderberries are a good source of Vitamins A, B, and C. Cooked berries can be used in pies and jams, as a lemonade. Applied externally as a poultice, it's useful for burns, rashes, and minor skin problems. Sambucol stimulates the immune system and has shown activity in preliminary trials against some viruses, such as Epstein-Barré, herpes, and even HIV. My Own Personal Experience As a child I frequently had fevers, since I played most outside all year long and very often did not dress properly in the fall and winter. My mother made pure elderberry juice from the ripe black berries we picked in late fall from our bushes in the garden. She heated the juice, and added lemon juice and honey. I drank two large cups before going to bed. She also put a wet poultice aground my neck, and sometimes even on my chest and legs. During the night, I sweated, and the next morning the fever would be completely gone. I never missed a day of school. The elderberry juice enhanced the healing power of my body, and all the bad stuff was pushed out through the pores. We used this same system with our two boys when they were young The Legend of the Elder The elder tree was reputed to be the favorite tree of witches, who supposedly resided in its branches. In the Middle Ages, nearly everyone knew that cutting down an elder tree would incur the wrath of the witches who called it home. There were many tales of angry witches taking vengeance on babies whose unwitting parents put them in a cradle of elder wood. Old and Native Uses of Elder Bushes American Indians use the leaves and flowers in antiseptic wash for skin diseases and the berries to dye their hair black and dye the strands of grass they use in their basket designs. Others have used tea made from the leaves as a diaphoretic, the inner bark as a cathartic, the flowers simmered in oil for sunburn, and steeped in water as a compress for headache. The flowers contain an oil that is used in perfume and cosmetics. Elderflower water can be used as a wash for dry skin or as a cooling wash for the eyes. According to an ancient recipe, washing your face with elderflower water in the morning and night, and leaving it there to dry, will remove freckles and morphew (hardened) skin. American Indians used the leaves for pain relief and to promote healing of injuries. Don't you agree that Elderberry is almost a miracle herb? Editor's Comment: Access to medicinal herbs is threatened around the world. Please learn more about how they're under immediate threat in the EU.
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Klaus Ferlow, HMH, HA, is an innovator, lecturer, researcher, writer, President, founder and co-owner of Ferlow Botanicals, Div. of Ferlow Brothers Ltd, Vancouver, B.C., founded 1975, manufacturers/distributors of organic chemical-free, zero harm medicinal herbal and personal care products without harmful ingredients to professional health & wellness practitioners in Canada and parts of USA since 1993. Copyright 2011, all rights reserved. klausf@ferlowbotanicals.com
HMH = Honorary Master Herbalist, Dominion Herbal College, Burnaby, B.C., est. 1926 Klaus Ferlow's educational articles have been published in Health & Women's Magazines, Newspapers, Newsletters in Canada, United Kingdom, United States and numerous websites around the world. This information is summarized for its educational value and should not be used for the diagnoses, treatment, or prevention of disease. Please contact your health care practitioner. 
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