References
Balch,Phyllis
A., CNC & James F. Balch, M.D., Prescriptions for Nutritional
Healing (3rd Ed.) Avery, Penguin Putnam, Inc. 375 Hudson St.
New York NY 10014, 2000 P. 96
“Black Elder, Latin name Sambucus nigra,
Caprifolieceae [honesuckle] family, is … a deciduous tree that grows
to thirty-five feet in height, … and bears oval leaves … cream
colored flower … purplish-blue berries in autumn … Native to
Europe … especially common in England … known as “nature’s
medicine chest.”
“Elderberry is one of the most effective herbs for preventing and
treating
upper respiratory infections, constipation and fever. Elderberry stimulates
the immune system and has shown some activity in preliminary trials against
viruses such as herpes simplex and human immuno-deficiency virus (HIV).”
“Benefits of elderberry for specific health conditions include the
following:
asthma, bronchitis, influenza, and sinusitis, elderberry contains substances
called Sambucus nigra agglutinins (SNAs) that can to “lock”
receptor sites on certain strains of flu viruses. This keeps the viruses
from infecting human cells. Other flue strains send out enzymes “spikes”
to dissolve the walls of healthy cells, allowing the virus to enter and
infect the cell. Compounds in elderberry thwarts this process, offering
protection against at least eight strains of human influenza virus. Since
flu shots immunize against one, two or at most three strains of virus, elderberry
extracts offer significant added protection. A clinical trial of elderberry
found that it cured 90 percent of flu infections within seventy-two hours.
In the same trial, patients receiving a placebo needed six days for recovery.
Elderberry also relieves nasal congestions, fever, and sore throat.”
- combat free radicals and inflammation
- relieves coughs and congestion
- builds the blood, cleanses the system, eases constipation
- enhances immune system
- increases perspiration, lowers fevers, soothes the respiratory tract and stimulates circulation
- effective against flu viruses
”Bratman,
Steven, M.D. & David Kroll, Ph.D. Natural Health Bible,
Revised and Expanded 2nd Edition, Prima Publishing, 2000.
“Native American used tea made from elderberry flowers to treat respiratory
infections... Elderberry flowers are potential rival to echinacea. Many clinicians
feel that elderberry is actually more effective at shortening colds and flu
… than the latter, far more famous (and better studied) herb. According
to a preliminary double-blind study performed in Israel, a standardized elderberry
extract reduced almost by half the recovery time from a particular strain of
epidemic influenza. Elderberry is being studied for potential activity against
other viral illnesses as well including HIV and herpes. Standardized elderberry
extracts are seeing increasing use throughout Europe.” (P. 276).
Fetrow, Charles W., Pharm. D. & Juan R. Avila, Pharm. D., The Complete Guide to Herbal Medicines, Simon& Schuster, Inc. New York, NY 10020. 2000, Pp. 192-193.
Goldberg, Burton, Alternative Medicine: The Definitive Guide, Celestial Arts, Berkeley, California 94704.
“Herbs have long history of use as treatment for colds and flu, due to their
ability to stimulate immune functions, as well as their antiviral, anti-inflam-
matory, and anti-catarrhal properties. Some of the herbs that bolster the immune system include … elder.” Pp. 677.
“Elderflower, immune-stimulating, anti-inflammatory, anti-catarrhl, and diaphoretic, is a good all-purpose herb for the flu and common cold.” P. 678.
On sinusitis … “According to Dr. Richard Barrett, N.D., of Portland, Oregon, other useful herbal remedies include …. elderflower.” P. 896.
Gordon, James S. M.D. Manifesto For a New Medicine, Persus Books, Reading, Massachusetts, 1996. P. 49.
“Elderflower… to help break up the mucus that made me so miserable…”
Guiltinan, Jane, N.D., New Choices in Natural Healing, Doug Dollemore, et. al. (Eds.) Rodale Press, Inc. 1995, P.300.
Jane Guiltinan, Naturopathic Physician, is the Chief Medical Officer at Natural Health Clinic, Bastyr University, Seattle, Washington. She recommends that we all drink a cup or two of elderflower tea every 15 to 20 minutes to break fever.
Hershoff, Asa, N.D. & Andrea Rotelli, N.D. Herbal Remedies, Avery, Penguin Putnam, Inc., New York, NY 10014, 2001, P. 133.
Elderflower “ … has antiviral properties; prevents viruses from invading healthy cells.
Mindells, Earl, R., Ph.D. New Herb Bible, Simon & Schuster, 2000, pp. 72-73.
“For centuries, the berry from the elderberry tree has been a popular gypsy remedy for colds, influenza and neuralgia. Finally, there is solid scientific evidence to back up the folklore, thanks to Israeli researcher, Dr. Madeliene Mumcuoglu, Ph.D. of Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center. In 1980, Dr. Mumcuoglu, intrigued by elderberry’s reputation as a cure for colds and flu, did her thesis on the antiviral effects of elderberry. She patented a procedure to isolate the potent disease-fighting compounds from elderberry, then tested her extract on patients with flu. In a double-blind study, patients were given either elderberry extract or a placebo. Within twenty-four hours, 20 percent of those patients taking the extract had a dramatic improvement in symptoms such as muscle aches, fever and coughing. By the second day, 73 percent showed improvement and by the third day, 90 percent showed improvement. In the group not taking elderberry, only 16 percent had reduction in symptoms by day two. How does elderberry fight the flu? Compounds in elderberry find with viruses before they can penetrate the walls of cells, thereby inhibiting their ability to spread. Since elderberry is nontoxic, it is safe for children.”
Pizzormo, J.E. & M.T. Murray, Textbook of Natural Medicine, Seattle, Washington John Bastyr College Publication, 1989.
Roberts, Arthur J., M.D., Mary E. O’Brien, M.D. , and Genell Subak-Sharps, Nutraceuticals, The Complete Encyclopedia of Supplements, Herbs, Vitamins, and Healing Foods, A Perigee Books, 2001, P.
“Elder (Sambucus Canadensis) American Elder…. Elderflower contains triterpenes -- anti-inflamatory action similar to steroids… oils, including
linoleic and linolenic fatty acids … flavonoids, including rutin and guercetin, pectin.”
Tillotson, Alan Keith, Ph.D. A.H.G., A.H.G., D. Ay. with Mai-Shing Hu Tillotson, O.M.D., L. Ac. & Robert Abel Jr., M.D., Twin Streams, Kensington Publishing Corp. 2001, Pg. 128-129.
Elderflower “ … strengthens the immune system to fight viral infections, including influenza.”
Weiss, R.F. Herbal Medicine, Beaconsfield Publications, Beaconsfield, England, 1988.
White, Linda B. MD, Steven Foster & Staff of Herbs & Health, The Herbal Drugstore, St. Martin’s Press (2000), Redale, Inc. Pp. 51, 181, 182-83, 185, 556.
Zakay-Rones Z., Varsano N, Zlotnik M, Manor O, Regev L, Schlesinger M, Mumcuoglu
M. Department of Virology, Hebrew University – Hadassah Medical School,
Jerusalem, Israel (1995) ‘Inhibition of several strains of influenza
viruses in vitro and reduction of symptoms by an elderberry extract (Sambucus
nigra L)during an outbreak of influenza B in Panama.’ Journal of Alternative
Complimentary Medicine; Winter 1(4):361-9.
“Considering the efficacy of the extracts in vitro on all strains of
influenza virus tested, as well as the clinical results, low cost and absence
of side-effects, this preparation could offer a possibility for safe treatment
for influenza A and B.”
