May Interact With Certain Drugs
Elderberry may lower your blood sugar, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. If you take diabetes medication to control your blood sugar, elderberry may increase the effectiveness, causing low blood sugar, or hypoglycemia. Elderberry acts as a diuretic and may increase your risk for dehydration if youâre currently taking diuretic medication. The berry may also interact with laxatives, chemotherapy drugs, immunosuppressive and the asthma medication theophylline. Elderberry may interact with other medications not listed. Talk to your doctor before taking elderberry if youâve been prescribed medication.
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Final Thoughts On Elderberry For Asthma And Allergies
Is elderberry good for allergies and asthma? It seems that the answer is an indirect yes. While we dont have much clarity on the matter, we rely on elderberrys stellar performance in past studies regarding inflammation, cold and flu symptomology, and upper respiratory conditions.
There is little on the medicinal front where elderberry has failed. Thus, we are hoping for prospective and straightforward research to support elderberry for allergies and asthma in the future.
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Is It Safe To Take Elderberry On A Daily Basis
Elderberry supplements can be taken on a daily basis, even three to four times a day. However, you should not exceed the daily dose suggested.
Elderberry is a medicinal plant that is used to treat a variety of ailments. Elderberry supplements are most typically used to treat colds and the flu. Elderberry-based medicines are classified as dietary supplements by the US Food and Drug Administration, therefore they cannot be sold or promoted as a treatment for any medical ailment.
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Elderberry Precautions And Possible Interactions
Ripe, cooked berries of most of the Sambucus species are edible. However, you should not consume raw berries or other parts of the plant since they contain a cyanide-inducing chemical. Eating uncooked berries can result in diarrhea and vomiting. Generally, commercial preparations dont cause adverse reactions at recommended dosages.
Occasionally, elderflowers and elderberries cause allergic reactions. Discontinue use if you have a mild allergic reaction, and seek medical attention if you have a serious allergic reaction.
You should not give elderberry products to a child before consulting your pediatrician. If youre pregnant or breastfeeding, dont take it.
If you have an autoimmune disease, such as rheumatoid arthritis, ask your doctor before taking elderberry because it may stimulate the immune system. If you have any other ongoing health concern, speak with your healthcare provider before taking it as well. People with organ transplants should not take elderberry.
Elderberry appears to have few side effects when used properly for short periods of time .
If you currently take any of the following medications, you should talk to your healthcare provider before taking any elder plant products:
- Diabetes medications
- Theophylline
Elderberry Final Thoughts
Dont Skip Your Flu Shot
The CDC estimates that the flu was associated with more than 35.5 million illnesses, more than 16.5 million medical visits, around 490,600 hospitalizations and close to 34,200 deaths during the 20182019 influenza season.
While no medicines can completely cure the flu, Dr. Macknin says the flu vaccine is the best defense against it. Its also critical for stopping the spread of this illness throughout our communities.
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Natural Eye Drop Recipe
- First, boil the eyedropper in water to sanitize it.
- Add 1 cup of distilled organic water into a clean pan. Into the water,
- Add ¼ tsp of salt and a pinch of baking soda.
- Mix well
- Boil for a minute to sterilize the mixture.
- Allow the mixture to cool completely before using. Be careful because you dont want to injure your eyes with a mixture that is too hot.
- When the solution is cool, use the sterilized eye dropper and add two drops to each affected eye.
- Store the eye-drop mixture in a clean and sterilized container.
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Antioxidant And Chronic Disease Protection
Sambucus nigra is the only elderberry variety deemed suited for human consumption. The dark purple-blue color of ripe elderberries indicates the presence of flavonoids such as anthocyanins and quercitin. These natural chemicals are more than fruit pigments they are powerful antioxidants which help remove free radicals from the body and protect against mutations in cells leading to cancerous formations. Consumption of elderberries and other flavonoid-rich berries such as blueberries, blackberries, red raspberries, yellow raspberries or mulberries is said to delay aging and prevent many forms of chronic disease such as diabetes, heart disease and cancer.
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Elderberries Can Reduce Cold And Flu Duration
Elderberries have been shown to reduce cold and flu days when taken at the first sign of symptoms, within the first 48 hours of onset. This study treated patients suffering from the flu: one group got elderberry syrup and another group got a placebo.
The symptoms of the patients taking the elderberry syrup were relieved, on average, four days sooner than pf those taking a placebo. And, they were less likely to need rescue medication .
In another study, travelers took elderberry syrup 10 days before traveling, and stopped taking it 5 days after they came back. Those taking elderberry syrup had a statistically significant lower duration of a cold, and had less severe symptoms .
These little berries are full of nutrients, like vitamin A, vitamin B, vitamin C, iron, and potassium, that can help boost the immune system, and help prevent the cold and flu when taken regularly.
Elderberries can also help treat asthma and allergies, and decrease inflammation. This recipe in particular includes raw local honey and apple cider vinegar, which can help reduce the severity of seasonal allergies.
How Can I Clear My Allergies At Home
What Steps Can I Take to Control Indoor Allergens?. Control dust mites. Keep surfaces in your home clean and uncluttered. . Vacuum once or twice a week. . Prevent pet dander. . Prevent pollen from getting inside by keeping windows and doors closed. . Avoid mold spores. . Control cockroaches. . References.
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Is It Possible To Use Allergy Medication With Elderberry
Elderberry has the ability to boost the immune system. Taking elderberry alongside certain immune-suppressing drugs may reduce the effectiveness of those medications.
Some immune-suppressing drugs include azathioprine , basiliximab , cyclosporine , daclizumab , muromonab-CD3 , mycophenolate , tacrolimus , sirolimus , prednis
Elderberry Is A Homeopathic Remedy Used For Colds And Flu
Elderberry is a natural plant that has been used for centuries to fight the symptoms of colds and flu. Its an all-natural option that can be taken and has very few side effects. One study found that Elderberry could reduce the length and severity of cold symptoms by over half.
Elderberry syrup has been used as a natural remedy for fever, asthma and allergies. As the world has become more polluted, elderberries and their high antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties have become even more beneficial in helping your immune system fight off infections.
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Is There A Lot Of Histamine In Elderberry Syrup
During the cold and flu season, elderberry has a lot going for itand for you. Its high antioxidant content may help you from becoming ill. It can help ease symptoms if you succumb.
Patients with flu symptoms who took elderberry lozenges for two days experienced statistically significant reductions in fever, headache, and nasal congestion compared to those who took a placebo.
Clinical investigations of flu patients suggest taking the herb as soon as symptoms appear and continuing for three to five days. In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled research, people who were given elderberry syrup had their flu symptoms go away four days sooner than those who were given a dummy syrup. Article on Taste for Life
Elderberries are high in vitamin C and A, as well as quercitin, which is anti-histamine, anti-inflammatory, and anti-viral.
On our shelves, youll find Elderberry Syrup from a variety of high-quality brands.
How Should I Take Elderberry
When considering the use of herbal supplements, seek the advice of your doctor. You may also consider consulting a practitioner who is trained in the use of herbal/health supplements.
If you choose to use elderberry, use it as directed on the package or as directed by your doctor, pharmacist, or other healthcare provider. Do not use more of this product than is recommended on the label.
Do not use different forms of elderberry at the same time or you could have an overdose.
Use exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your healthcare provider.
Sambucol is used to relieve cold & flu symptoms such as stuffy nose, runny nose, sneezing, sore throat, cough, fever, and chills. Take at the the first sign of cold or flu symptoms.
If desired, you may mix elderberry liquid with water, fruit juice, yogurt, or a smoothie.
Call your doctor if the condition you are treating with elderberry does not improve, or if you have a fever for more than 3 days or cold symptoms for more than 7 days.
Store your elderberry product as directed away from moisture, heat, and light.
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Elderberry In The Summer
Should I continue to use elderberry syrup in the warmer months?
Hooray! Summer is right around the corner. The warmer months are such a special time for my family. The kids adore being outside and there is so much to do. We practically live outside all summer long!
Once summer hits, a lot of people are less consistent about their wellness routine, even us! I don’t know about your family, but with two toddlers, our summer days are filled with energy and by evening we are usually rushing cranky kids out of the bath to go straight to bed. During the summer, we do not take our Vitamin D as often because most of our days are plentiful with sunshine. We tend to skip our multivitamin and other supplements occasionally with no worries at all. And yes, even our family forgets to take our daily serving of elderberry, and that’s perfectly ok! The great thing about the warmer months is that the typical colds, viruses and plus we worry about tend to be less rampant.
However, there are many reasons we do continue to use our elderberry syrup as often as possible, at least a few times a week all summer long. Elderberries are loaded with vitamins and antioxidants and are a great way to support the immune system. Studies show elderberries help prevent colds & flu as well as cut the duration of symptoms in half. The benefits of elderberry syrup exceed just the cold and flu season. Here’s just a few main reasons why we continue all summer long:
Top 10 Allergy Remedies #3 Nose Trap
To help reduce allergens from entering your body in the first place, rub a good amount of salve on your nostrils before going outside. The pollen/dust particles will get trapped in the sticky salve before entering your nasal cavity. Once you return indoors wash the salve off and your face then follow up with a cold face compress.
To make your own all-natural salve,
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Elderberries And Your Immune System
Elderberries help your immune system in a few ways:
First, their antioxidant value is incredibly high, which helps your body fight against free radicals, toxic cells that can otherwise occupy your immune system. With these antioxidants working overtime to keep your body clean, your immune system can focus on the real threats, like viruses and bacteria.
Second, elderberries offer both antifungal and antibacterial properties. This means that elderberries donât just clear the way for your body to fight potential infections and disease, they also actively help fight these contagions themselves!
Top 10 Allergy Remedies #7 Quercetin
Quercetin is a natural bioflavonoid that is said to help stabilize mast cells to keep them from releasing histamine.It is also a potent antioxidant that is said to help reduce inflammation.Quercetin is best used as a long term remedy.Start taking it about 4-6 weeks before allergy season to help prevent allergy symptoms.
Though Quercetin is naturally found in foods, it is very difficult to get the amount needed to relieve allergies from food alone.A supplemental dose can be helpful for preventing allergies or helping acute symptoms.
Fruits and vegetables are the primary dietary sources of quercetin and other flavonoids.
- citrus fruits
- dark berries such as blueberries, blackberries, and bilberries
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Soothe Allergies With Elderberry Boost
The soothing benefits of Elderberry Boost on allergies is nothing to sneeze at!
Spring is in the air and people are starting to feel the effects of allergy season. Although elderberry is most commonly known for its immune boosting properties, it provides great asthma and allergy relief too!
Elderberry syrup is FULL of anti-inflammatory ingredients. Allergies are induced by an overreaction of the immune system, as well as inflammation. Elderberry’s anti-inflammatory properties combined with immune regulating properties have been shown to calm allergies.
Raw honey, which is a main ingredient in Elderberry Boost,is also very helpful in soothing allergies! According to a study, those who consume raw honey consistently are more likely to have reduced allergy symptoms. Results are best seen in those who consistently consume raw honey for a minimum of 8 weeks. By slowly introducing your body to pollen and other allergens present in the honey, your body creates a defense system against them.
You do not have to suffer through allergy season. See how Elderberry Boost has helped some of our customers below:
Allergies No More!
“LOVE THIS! I suffer from allergies and thought I was coming down with a sinus infection. I took this as directed and felt better the next day. Definitely a staple in my health regiment”. -LeTea
Tastes great & helps!
Love this stuff!
Fantastic
The real deal!
May Increase Cytokine Production
One potential concern about consuming elderberry is that it may increase proteins in the body called cytokines.
While normally helpful in controlling cellular responses to inflammation, too many of these small proteins could lead to adverse reactions known as cytokine storms.
However, the research behind increased cytokine production is mixed. First, one 2019 study found that elderberry was effective in treating the early stages of the flu, partly because of a slight increase in cytokines.
A 2021 research review found elderberry may be less effective in decreasing cytokines than medications used to treat upper respiratory illnesses. But researchers did not find evidence that elderberry caused an increase in cytokine production.
More research is needed to confirm whether elderberry can increase cytokine levels associated with viral infections. This is especially important concerning COVID-19, which is known for increasing the risk for cytokine storms.
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Are All Elderberries Created Equal
So, I bought a bottle of elderberry syrup from Maine Medicinals. It contains certified Organic Elderberries, Elderflowers and wild Maine Blueberries to provide overall immune system health. I took it, and, low and behold, I didnt have any flu like symptoms. This made me a happy camper. Once I ran out of the bottle of Maine Medicinals Elderberry Syrup, I decided to try a different brand to see if the elderberries really were as good as they seemed. So, I bought my next bottle of Elderberry syrup from Honey Garden. Both brands have organic elderberries, yet the Honey Garden also contains apple cider vinegar, raw honey, propolis, and organic echinacea. All contained conveniently in one bottle! I continued to be happily symptom-free.
Elderberry Syrup Benefits And Side Effects
Elderberry syrup is a long-standing natural remedy for the common cold, flu and sinusitis symptoms. Studies show elderberry preparations hold important antiviral properties and boost and activate the immune system for a stronger inflammatory response which not only helps improve symptoms such as nasal congestion and supports recovery, but also shortens the length of respiratory infections by 2 to 4 days. Syrups containing standardized elderberry extracts as well as home made products have exhibited impressive benefits in providing relief for cold and flu symptoms.
What is elderberry syrup made of? Elderberry syrup can be a standardized product made from elderberry juice extract and enhanced with various vitamins and minerals, such as Sambucol. There are also efficient home-made elderberry syrups which hold similar curative properties and antiviral action. A home-made elderberry syrup is essentially a liquid preparation obtained from boiling ripe elderberries, either fresh or dried with water. Raw honey is added to the cooled syrup to sweeten it and provide further relief. Other ingredients such as cinnamon, ginger, cloves or lemon juice are optional, but may be added for better flavor and additional benefits.
1) Immune-boosting properties
2) Antiviral activity
3) Antibacterial action
4) Elderberry syrup for flu, common cold and sinusitis
5) Elderberry syrup for cough and nasal congestion
Elderberry syrup side effects and interactions
Elderberry syrup recipe
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What Are The Side Effects And Health Risks Of Elderberry
The main side effects of taking elderberry come from its potential to cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, especially when it is prepared improperly. Berries that are ripe and cooked are usually safe to eat when eaten in moderation. Certain parts of the elderberry tree are considered poisonous. The leaves, roots, bark, and stems of these trees should not be consumed in any form as they contain cyanogenic glycoside . People who experience poisoning from elderberries can experience severe symptoms like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramping, difficulty breathing, dizziness, and numbness.
People who have autoimmune conditions such as multiple sclerosis , rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, psoriasis, and inflammatory bowel disease should not use elderberry. Elderberry may boost the immune system, which can worsen autoimmune diseases. Many autoimmune disorders require immunosuppressant drugs. When taken alongside an immunosuppressant , elderberry can reduce the effectiveness of the immunosuppressant. Consequently, more harm than benefit can come from using elderberry in most autoimmune conditions, especially those treated with immunosuppressants.
Elderberry has not been widely studied and, like most herbal supplements, is not FDA-approved. Because data is lacking on its safety and efficacy of use, people with health conditions or women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should check with their doctor before using elderberry.
