I don’t have a lot of commentary on this article by the LA Times about elderberry’s mixed performance as a flu med, but I wanted to post it for its references to two studies. In these studies - and here’s where the ‘mixed record’ comes in - elderberries didn’t necessarily prevent people from coming down with the flu, but they did cut the duration of sickness by up to two thirds versus a placebo. Still nothing to sneeze at! (Forgive the pun.)
elderberry’s mixed record
February 27th, 2008 · 6 Comments
Tags: health effects
6 responses so far ↓
1 Kevin Spellman // Mar 17, 2008 at 11:34 am
It does indeed seem to work (at least the one I used did–from Vitabase).
2 Larry // Aug 26, 2008 at 5:58 am
I have taken warmed elderberry wine mixed with black pepper as a boy when I had flulike symptoms. I sweated all night after taking the wine just before going to bed. The next morning felt fine enough to go on a fishing trip with the family.
3 Ken // Sep 7, 2008 at 7:19 am
Does anyone know if a medicinal tea can be made from the dried roots or leaves, such as can be done with echanacia?
What would the amount of berries be to make a medicinal tea when down with a cold or the flu? How long should the dried berries sit in the hot water for a tea; and how often should one drink that tea?
4 J Thomas // Sep 17, 2008 at 7:22 pm
Ken, wikipedia makes the following claim:
“All green parts of the plant are poisonous, containing cyanogenic glycosides (Vedel & Lange 1960).”
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elderberry
Wikipedia sometimes has misinformation, but I’d be cautious about using the leaves. Of course, one man’s herbal tea is another man’s poison, and doses matter. But — cautious.
5 eileenfb // May 14, 2009 at 12:54 am
Hi Ken,
Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their uses - Deni bown states: Sambucus
… used externally for minor burns and chillblains using leaves and bark.
Leaves are boiled and strained to make insecticidal spray.
6 eileenfb // May 14, 2009 at 1:00 am
Make a tea with the flowers - 1 teaspoon per cup of boiled water, steap a couple of minutes or longer - must drink while still hot.
I add a large pinch of Lemon Verbena to make it more pallatable. Sweeten but leave some bitterness as too sweet takes away some of the beneficial effects.
I usually take two strong cups before bed if I am ill. It is medicinal so don’t sip it all day long.
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