One would not normally expect flu remedies to also be able to guard against influenza but such is the case with elderberry extract. The extract, taken from the fruit of the elderberry bush, has long been used in food and drink, as well as for immune support and as a flu remedy.
While many alternative medical treatments have fallen short when confronted with the rigors of scientific research, elderberry extract has, in fact, been shown to both block influenza viruses from attaching to host cells, as well as significantly reducing the duration and severity of flu symptoms, making it both a flu remedy and preventative measure.
Each year, a genetic variation of what is referred to as the seasonal influenza virus travels around the globe, killing hundreds of thousands of people.
Pandemics are viruses that travel and spread faster than the normal, seasonal variety. The worst influenza pandemic of the 20th century, the Spanish Flu of 1918, killed over 50 million people. There are several steps individuals can take to prevent the spread of the influenza virus with strong immune support, healthy habits and common sense.
If infection occurs, elderberry extract can be used to reduce the time it takes to recover and to minimize the intensity of the symptoms.
Healthy Habits And Common Sense
The number one way to guard against influenza is to wash your hands frequently with soap and water. When school-aged children were taught the importance of hand washing and shown to cough and sneeze into the crook of their arm, rather than into their hands, colds and flu were reduced by over 80 percent.
When infected individuals cough into their hand, everything they touch becomes contaminated with millions of viruses. Since the influenza virus can stay alive for hours without a host, touching a contaminated surface and then touching your face is another means of catching the flu. The influenza virus is also commonly spread through the air.
Flu vaccine is one of the flu remedies that people turn to as a preventative measure. Being vaccinated, however, does not prevent them from carrying the virus on their clothing or other items and spreading the infection to others. Hand sanitizers are another good line of defense against the flu.
Eating a healthy diet, staying hydrated and getting enough rest are also important. Vitamin C and Zinc will also provide immune support, but neither of those dietary supplements can compare to the immune support provided by elderberry extract.
Immune Support From Elderberry Extract
In a study published in the July 2009 issue of the Scientific Journal of Phytochemistry, a peer-reviewed scientific journal (Volume 70, Issue 10), elderberry extract was demonstrated to contain flavonoids that provide anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
The immune support from antioxidants counteracts the effects of free radicals, which damage healthy cells, making them less able to protect against infection.
Even more important and impressive were the findings that elderberry extract attaches, or binds, itself to the influenza virus, rending the virus incapable of attaching itself to a host cell. Viruses replicate by binding to a host cell and injecting their own DNA into the cell, which reprograms the cell to create more viruses.
The miserable symptoms of flu can be agonizing including chills, fever, nausea, weakness, diarrhea, headache and muscle and joint pain.
Elderberry Extract Is One Of The Most Effective Flu Remedies
In addition to providing immune support, elderberry extract has been scientifically proven to reduce the time it takes an infected person to recover, as well as minimize the intensity of the symptoms.
The flu virus generally takes six days to complete its cycle. However, in a study published in the Online Journal of Pharmacology and PharmacoKinetics, elderberry extract was shown to be an effective flu remedy within 48 hours, a result that many other flu remedies cannot provide.
Participants in this double blind, placebo controlled research all demonstrated flu-like symptoms at the beginning of the study. Half of the participants were given a placebo while the other half was given elderberry extract. During the first 24 hours, the group given the elderberry extract noted significant improvements whereas the placebo group felt notably worse.
Within 48 hours, 28 percent of the elderberry group was completely symptom free and 60 percent reported only one or two mild symptoms. During the same time frame, only 16 percent of the placebo group reported feeling any better at all, whereas the majority felt significantly worse and for several more days.
While there may be no cure for the common cold, elderberry extract has demonstrated its usefulness as one of the most effective flu remedies one can choose, both to prevent and reduce symptoms of the flu.
Chris Harmen is a writer for Respiratory Guard Elderberry Lozenges. Elderberry extract provides immune support,
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