Is Elderberry Actually An Effective Cure for Cold and Flu?

Elderberry is a dark purple fruit. It is rich in antioxidants and vitamins. Studies report that elderberries have many health benefits and are used to prevent and treat many diseases since ancient times. Many companies manufacture commercial products (gummies or syrups) having elderberries as they are pretty safe and effective. Elderberry have been used for centuries as an effective cure for cold and flu.

Let us know what is cold and flu and how elderberries can help us to fight them.

What is Cold and Flu:

You, or many people around you, suffer from cold and flu each year. The leading common causative agent for these diseases is a virus. Viruses of the upper respiratory tract usually cause cold and flu. The upper respiratory tract includes the nose and the nasal passage, paranasal sinuses, pharynx, and portion of larynx about the vocal cords.?

American Association for Lungs states that more than 200 types of viruses can cause a cold.?

One of the common and severe viruses to cause severe flu infections is the influenza virus. Influenza has caused severe and deadly seasonal epidemics in the recent past. As per the statistics of Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, an average of 8% population suffers from cold and flu, which means that 9.3 million to 49 million illnesses occur each year in the United States alone. Many people died during the seasonal epidemics of 2017-2018.

As people catch the cold and flu each season, it results in increased outpatient visits and hospitalizations. Pregnant women, children, and older people aged 65 and above are at higher risk as they have low immunity. Fifty-eight percent of hospitalization occurs in the age group of 65 and above.

Transmission

Cold and flu viruses are highly contagious. They usually spread through droplets from the infected person, which means that virus particles are distributed in the environment from the sneeze and cough of infected people. The signs and symptoms usually develop after 2 to 4 days of contracting the virus.

Treatment:?

Usually, cold and flu resolve on their own. As a virus causes both, antibiotics are of no help. You may only need some over-the-counter medicines like ibuprofen, antihistamines to relieve the symptoms. Increased fluid intake also helps to reduce the symptoms. A doctor may prescribe antiviral drugs for the treatment of the flu. Multivitamins are of great help as they help the body fight against infections.

Is Elderberry Really Effective for Cold and Flu?

Elderberry has been used to treat various diseases for ages. In the modern world of advancements in medical science and technology, most of us are in the dilemma of using or avoiding home remedies to prevent or cure any disease.

To know whether elderberries are really effective or not, we need to have a look at the nutrients. Elderberries are rich in vitamins and antioxidants such as vitamin C and flavonoids. These nutrients are very effective in boosting the immunity of a body. Diseases like cold and flu are usually caused when a body fails to fight the virus attack. Elderberries strengthen our immune systems and enable us to fight viruses that cause cold and flu.

Doctors recommend the use of commercial-grade elderberry products such as elderberry gummies, elderberry extract and different capsules to avoid the side effects associated with its inappropriate use. Moreover, it is also advised by nutritionists to use elderberry supplements as a part of a healthy diet instead of a treatment.

Prevention from Cold and Flu

It is best to take adequate measures to prevent the disease from developing. Here are some tips to avoid cold and flu.

• Eat healthily: a well-balanced diet is a key to good health. It contains all essential elements that boost the immune system and help the body to remain healthy and active. A good diet can also help in fighting the disease after infection.
• Use natural supplements: Natural supplements are rich in vital amines such as vitamin C and D that help prevent cold and flu. Green tea is a good source of antioxidants that are also helpful. Many herbs and berries have antiviral properties.?

Elderberries are famous for their rich antiviral properties, and they are rich in antioxidants. They help prevent cold and flu and are also used in treatment. Many people recommend using commercial products like elderberry gummies or syrups as they are pretty safe and effective in preventing and treating cold and flu. Most effective elderberry gummies are manufactured by Herbaland Immune Plus Gummies, Gummies Garden, and New Chapter Elderberry Gummies.

• Maintain social distance: it is best to keep a distance of 6-feet with the infected individuals. Sometimes people do not exhibit any signs and symptoms, yet they carry the virus, so it is better to avoid the crowd during the season to reduce chances of infection.

Vaccination: vaccines help prevent the development of disease. Unluckily the cold viruses do not have a vaccine yet, but it is a good thing that usually there are no severe complications due to them. There is a vaccine for the flu caused by the influenza virus and effectively prevents flu.