It’s that time of year when sniffles, coughing and a sore throat are commonplace. The common cold, flu and other respiratory ailments run rampant this time of year and leave few lucky souls unscathed. Even those of use who eat well and get plenty of exercise occasionally fall prey to the cold or flu. Hopefully if you get sick, it’s not at the end of a holiday trip to see family with a 15 hour drive hanging over your head (this is my story).
So what do you do?
Before you reach for over-the-counter medicines, consider elderberry. Elderberry, also called Sambucas, is a plant – the berries and flowers are used medicinally.
Elderberry is one of the few herbal medicines with scientific research supporting its effectiveness. Not that other treatments are effective, they just probably haven’t been studied as extensively. It has anti-inflammatory and anti-viral properties and works to reduce sinus swelling, reduce congestion and boost your body’s ability to fight the illness. Elderberry can be taken in syrup, tincture or lozenge form.
One easy way to use elderberries is to make your own syrup. Try this recipe from Wellness Mama using black elderberries. I learned to make elderberry syrup with Sambucas canadensis, which is found throughout the U.S., mostly East of the Rockies, so I suspect either will work. Make sure you use ripe berries and cook them completely (otherwise they could be poisonous).
If you’re not interested/willing to make your own elderberry syrup, you can find plenty of options at your local health food store. I haven’t looked, but it’s even possible that more mainstream locations will carry an elderberry syrup. Follow the instructions on the packaging, but don’t be afraid to take sambucas before you get sick. As a preventive, take one spoonful of the syrup daily. If you get sick, up the dose to 3 or 4 spoonfuls to help recover more quickly.
As always, be sure you know what you’re taking. Herbs are generally very safe and have minimal interactions, but complications are always possible. Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding are cautioned against taking sambucas. Those taking diuretics, laxatives, diabetes medications, chemotherapy, immune-suppressing drugs or asthma medications should talk to their doctor before taking sambucas.
With that disclaimer, elderberry is a great option for preventing and treating colds and flu symptoms.
Have you taken sambucas before? Did you think it worked? Share your experiences in the comments.
{Photo Credit: Andrew Hill}