03/17/2020
Taken from a fellow wellness advocate to help shed some light, should you still be taking your elderberry syrup?
“Last week was a whirlwind as we were trying to keep up with the ever-changing news on COVID-19 (Coronavirus). The internet is great for getting information but sometimes it can be confusing - especially as conflicting data gets passed around. MANY of you sent us articles about the use of Elderberry being linked to “Cytokine Storm” and were rightfully concerned about if you should be using Elderberry at this time. We researched and gathered data to wrap our heads around this and wanted to share our findings with you. We want you to be empowered and to make the best choices you can for your health! You need to feel comfortable about the choices you are making for you and your family above anyone else’s opinions! ❤️
I will link several articles as a reference for those of you that would like to read them or use them to reply to others who are posting these things on social media. My main take away from researching:
Cytokines are a necessary response in the body to fight off sickness. A cytokine storm is VERY rare and has not been directly linked to Elderberry. Very little is known about Cytokine storms. The caution with using Elderberry still stands (which we have told you before) that if you have an autoimmune disease you should use caution with Elderberry. Some find it helps them and some find it makes them feel worse. Also, if you are on immunosuppressive therapy, you should avoid Elderberry. But to everyone else out there, we still confidently suggest it. We have so many respected individuals recommending it.
Here are some highlighted excerpts from the various linked articles:
“Any virus though has a potential to turn into a cytokine storm. And this is actually still not as well known in the science world. Yes, we have some studies on it, but it’s also up in the air of how exactly a cytokine storm can happen.”
“Now from this, people are like, “Watch out with the Coronavirus. Don’t take elderberry because it does increase cytokines causing a possibility of a cytokine storm.” But the thing is that – that’s not the case. There’s never been a case that directed the use of certain herbs and this is not just elderberry but echinacea, and other immune-boosting herbs, hence the word immune boosting. I wouldn’t even go there to say that it causes a cytokine storm. There is a side note with any immune-boosting herbs is if you have an autoimmune condition, you should take precaution and avoid immune-boosting herbs, like elderberry and echinacea. With autoimmune conditions, there is already some immune dysregulation going on. So, you must take precautions. There is an increased risk of a cytokine storm.”
“Cytokine storms still rarely happen. Should you stop using elderberry? I won’t, it’s up to you, but I won’t. I do think autoimmune patients should take precaution and work along side with your healthcare provider”
“A thorough search for documented cases where elderberry caused cytokine storm turned up fruitless. However, studies show that Sambucol Elderberry Extract activates the healthy immune system by increasing inflammatory cytokine production”
http://blog.indieherbalist.com/elderberry-and-the-immune-system/
https://lindseyelmore.com/cytokine-storm-what-causes-immune-system-overdrive/
https://thrivalnutrition.com/cytokine-storm-and-elderberry-usage-episode-218/ (article and 15 min podcast)
https://www.facebook.com/DrElisaSongMD/photos/a.215425578803242/866771260335334/?type=3&eid=ARAIQEW1bshHEJgmSujcVBVInmcI_m3QiBxvAkKOjPPG4eWJuxGsMbqDAI01QYbFez_AnN1pOvf3rvHe&__xts__[0]=68.ARB5Hpkd4Qq6XT45vYIh3rHt_d4o7fIcBQJCmK2QygNQjG-35HjMuMjPKnwmxUiGuBPoA4dMh-owCqeJwtn2t00f9gZDVziPGdEaT8xKKAYOpkxYNcHYuYCSOPp_iqbEtj6OmlMbRmYOEvK2cZ5L9EXgxefS-JZp15C0-3L5CIYZxV6HBvqqHjlrrKbtd_JqUVtG4Uqd3KZHZ9M53KMfs92q2QOIzjovRAyK2tihaZmEf5D_uiEJjdLJ_IqP5SQgz0QDFCC6tJSsj1cAMQ83NVkfDIAKZx0COCIbwdBXlom5J-KPNbz20g72ZV0JQiGbwGOwPByqt_PeOwQxA6XBIRA&__tn__=EEHH-R&hc_location=ufi
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3899428/?fbclid=IwAR2MhWyqRbZiu7n9rxdUjfezuW38tZ0gWJFreQkt0Y2eJVNYJBRk4_ubfY0
— with Jill Rowe and Alicia Guzzardo.”
I have not seen any elderberry in stock to buy that isn’t double the price 😞 So for now, I hope you have some in stock. As soon as I can, I will be making more. Stay well! ❤️
Infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) is a pathogenic chicken coronavirus. Currently, vaccination against IBV is only partially protective; therefore, better preventions and treatments are needed. Plants produce antimicrobial secondary compounds, which may ...
