New Research Reveals Herbal Flu Remedy
By: Bruce Schennum M.A.

Influenza (commonly called "flu") has been a scourge to mankind for centuries. As recently as 1918, a flu epidemic killed over 25 million people world wide. More often, the flu causes fever, chills, aching joints, and nausea. Symptoms last for a week or more. But new research on the ancient herb elderberry now suggests that we can fight the flu -- and eliminate these symptoms within 1 or 2 days.

ELDERBERRY: Nature's Flu Fighter
In 1992, a team of Israeli scientists headed by Madeleine Mumcuoglu (pronounced Mum-shoe-glue) set out to study the effect of elderberry on flu patients. During a flu epidemic at an Israeli Kibbutz, half of the flu patients were given an elderberry syrup, the other half a placebo. The results: within 24 hours, 20% of the patients receiving elderberry had gotten significantly better. Within two days, 75% of the elderberry group were much improved; within 3 days 90% were completely cured.

Among the placebo group, only 8% of patients improved within 24 hours and it was a full 6 days before 90% of the patients were cured.

ELDERBERRY WORKS -- Here's How
Viruses are primitive organisms which cannot replicate themselves. They must use DNA from living cells in order to reproduce. Flu viruses invade cells by puncturing the cell walls with little spikes called hemagglutinin. These spikes are coated with an enzyme called neuraminidase, which helps break down the cell walls. Elderberry appears to actually disarm these spikes and inhibit the action of this enzyme -- thus preventing flu viruses from invading cells.

ELDERBERRY -- ANCIENT HERBAL REMEDY
Although exciting new scientific research is spurring interest in elderberry, elder fruit has a long history of medicinal use. Hippocrates himself recommended the fruit for upper respiratory diseases, and the Latin name for the herb (Sambucus Nigra) appears to have come from a Greek musical instrument, the Sambuca.

Shakespeare refers to the common Medieval belief that Judas was hanged on an Elder tree, and, according to Langland's 14th century Vision of Piers Ploughman:

Judas he japed with Jewen silver
And sithen an eller (elder) hanged hymselve

This tradition seems strange, given the diminutive size of the Elder tree -- mentioned in another Medieval couplet:

Ever bush and never tree
Since our Lord was nailed to thee.

This rhyme refers to both the size of the elder tree and the legend that the Cross on Calvary was made of elder wood.

It is, perhaps, not surprising that a tree valued today for its medicinal fruit should have been valued in antiquity for its magical properties, and Danish legend holds that the Dryad Hylde-Moer lived in the elder tree and would haunt any who dared make houses or furniture from elder wood. Gypsies would not burn elder wood, and elder was thought to drive away witches and to offer protection against devils

RESEARCH CONTINUES
While today we may have a healthy scientific skepticism toward some of the legends surrounding the elder tree, the medicinal value of elderberries has never been more evident. Continuing research suggests that elderberry may be the first line of flu defense.

Flu outbreaks are characterized by their epidemic nature. As many as 40% of a population may be victims of the flu during a 5-6 week period. Although vaccinations offer some protection, they are often ineffective. As many as half of those vaccinated may suffer complications, and the wily flu viruses can have varied structures which are not affected by the antibodies produced in response to the vaccine.

Elderberry, on the other hand, is safe, natural, and appears to work against a wide variety of flu viruses. In addition to clinical studies, laboratory experiments show that elderberry neutralizes flu viruses in petri dishes and cures the flu in mice. Best results are obtained when elderberry is taken at the onset of flu symptoms. So don't delay. Stock your medicine cabinet, and be prepared to fight the flu.

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