Age Old Natural Medicine Treats Cold and Flu

Efficancy and Safety of Oral Elderberry

In research published in the Journal of International Research; March 2004, scientists investigated the efficancy and safety of oral elderberry for treating influenza A and B infections. Sixty patients (aged 18-54 years) suffering from influenza-like symptoms for 48 h were enrolled in this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study during the influenza season of 1999-2000 in Norway.

Patients received 15 ml of elderberry extract or placebo(dummy medicine) four times a day for 5 days, and recorded their symptoms using a visual analogue scale. Symptoms were relieved on average 4 days earlier and use of rescue medication was significantly less in those receiving elderberry extract compared with placebo.

The lead researcher concluded that “Elderberry extract seems to offer an efficient, safe and cost-effective treatment for influenza”

Generally herbal medicines that have been used for hundreds of years are safe and effective, else they wouldn’t have being kept in use year after year. Elderberry and Elder flower extract is document in use as a medicine in Ireland as far back as 1735, way before pharmaceuticals existed. It’s always encouraging to see more modern science validating the use of traditional medicines. With the Flu season seemingly getting worse year on year, maybe its time we embraced age old treatments again.

For more information, and to obtain Herbal Medicines contact the clinic on 0719142940

In Health,
Gabriel