Elderberry: a natural remedy to strengthen the body's natural defenses
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Elderberry
Elderberry plant has been used as a natural remedy for colds for hundreds of years and is mostly known to fight upper respiratory infections and boost immunity.
Several studies suggest that elderberry can be an effective natural remedy for preventing and treating colds and influenza symptoms.
- In one placebo-controlled, double-blind study, 93.3% of the people taking an elderberry preparation reported significant improvement in flu symptoms within 2 days after starting it, compared with the 6 days it took for the placebo group to see improvements.1
- In another randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study performed in Norway, researchers gave either a placebo syrup or elderberry syrup to patients who reported having flu-like symptoms for less than 48 hours. On average, the patients who received the elderberry syrup saw relief of symptoms 4 days earlier than the group that received the placebo syrup.2
- Researchers also found out that people who have taken elderberries have higher levels of antibodies against the influenza virus, showing that not only may the berry be able to treat flu symptoms, it may also be able to prevent influenza infection.3
So how can elderberries work as an antiviral? There are many mechanisms of action, but the main explanation is that elderberries contain hemagglutinin protein. If taken before exposed to viral attacks, this protein is able to inhibit a virus' ability to penetrate the cell wall, preventing its replication. On the other hand, if elderberries are taken after infection, they can keep the virus from spreading, reducing the duration of flu symptoms.
In-Flu-Nam® and In-Flu-Nam® junior are dietary supplements, based on a special blend combining Elderberries (Sambucus Nigra) and Panax Quinquefolium, designed to strengthen the immune system against bacterial and viral attacks, with the addition of Betaglucan, Zinc and Vitamin C.
2. Zakay-Rones Z, Thom E, Wollan T, Wadstein J. Randomized study of the efficacy and safety of oral elderberry extract in the treatment of Influenza A and B virus infections.” J Int Med Res. 2004;32(2):132-40.
3. Roschek Jr. B, Fink RC, McMichael MD, et al. Elderberry flavonoids bind to and prevent H1N1 infection in vitro. Phytochemistry. 2009;70(10):1255-61. doi: 10.1016/j.phytochem.2009.06.003.