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New Weapon Against Cold & Flu Season
by Marian Brown
Although not
yet one of the most common herbs or supplements,
elderberry is gaining popularity among American
herbalists as an excellent supplement to ward off colds
and flus. Elderberry, which is a common, shrubby tree,
produces creamy flowers in early summer, followed by
deep wine-colored berries in the fall. Native Americans
used the flowerwater for eye and skin lotions and the
berries were common additives for jams, pies, teas, and
later wines. Elderberry wine was quite common in
Colonial America and the elderberry was nick-named the
"country medicine chest" because of its varied uses.
Today, elderberry is primarily recognized as providing
support for the immune system.
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Elderberry
contains concentrated amounts of vitamin C, flavinoids,
fruit acids, and anthocyanic pigments. It also is a good
source for vitamins A and B. Recent studies have also
indicated that elderberry may have antiviral activity,
increasing its value as a preventative measure.
In addition,
the Herbal Information Center reports that new evidence
has found that elderberry has remarkable value in
fighting flu and similar viruses. One benefit of
elderberry is its ability to help break fevers as it
promotes profuse sweating. These properties help make
elderberry valuable as an "after the fact" supplement to
speed the healing process. |
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