Elderberry is a potent antiviral.
According to a study titled, ‘The Effect of Sambucol, a Black Elderberry-Based, Natural Product, on the Production of Human Cytokines: I. Inflammatory Cytokines,’ it was found to be effective against multiple strains (ten of them) of influenza in vitro.
So many people are making the assumption that it is good for what is currently going on.
But maybe not…
Elderberry helps support your immune system by increasing cytokine production. These are inflammatory markers such as IL-1 beta, TNF-alpha, IL-6, and IL-8.
In essence, these can help your body to “burn” out viral invaders.
However, in COVID-19 patients are dying because of a “cytokine storm.”
An article in The Lancet states, “In most moribund patients, 2019-nCoV infection is also associated with a cytokine storm…In those who survive intensive care, these aberrant and excessive immune responses lead to long-term lung damage and fibrosis, causing functional disability and reduced quality of life.”
Based on this evidence, if you are sick with COVID-19 then we recommend you do NOT take Elderberry.
That being said, I’m still taking it. I think that it may be helpful for avoiding getting sick in the first place. In particular, I like taking it as a liquid suspension as I showed how to make in this video here.
This is my official recommendation and what I’m following myself and recommending to my family and friends. I could be wrong, however, this is my advice right now, based on the current information that is available.
In addition, I came across some articles that listed out a bunch of other herbs and foods that increase or decrease cytokines.
- https://sites.google.com/site/naturalimmunesystemboosters/cytokine-storm
- https://vtherbcenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/Influenza-support.pdf
- https://www.lifeextension.com/Magazine/2014/1/Turn-Off-the-Cytokine-Switch
- https://www.debbieschulte.com/surviving-the-cytokine-storm-why-healthy-people-die-from-the-flu/
Decrease Cytokines
- Green Tea
- St John’s Wort
- Vitamin E
- Resveratrol
- Skullcap
- Cat’s Claw
- Turmeric
- Astragalus
- Tea Tree
- Tulsi
- Garlic
- Salvia milthiorrhiza
- Ginger
- Cannabis
- Mung Beans
- Quercetin
- Milk Thistle
Increase Cytokines
- Elderberry
- Spirulina
- Chlorella
- Honey
- Chocolate
- Echinacea
- Kimchee
- Colloidal Silver
- Ginseng
I have not vetted out all this information. But when I saw that Elderberry might not be best in bad cases of COVID-19 I wanted to get this information out to you as fast as I could.
Once again, increasing cytokines can be great in many circumstances. All those things listed are useful and many help the immune system. Just with this disease specifically, they may be contraindicated.
A Few Good for You Things No Matter What
The basic nutrients of vitamin C, vitamin D and zinc and very important for your immune system. You won’t go wrong having ideal amounts of these.
Another thing that helps modulate inflammation is grounding or earthing. So make sure you get outside and touch the earth.
If you have any other information surrounding this topic go ahead and share in the comments.
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I have read the cytokine storm issue marked by the immune system going out of whack could be more related to mitochondria health of the cells thus they are being depleted of energy during a viral attack.
I would ward of cytokine storm with mitochondria boosters BIO PQQ AND COQ10 synergy.
A lot of elderberry mechanisms are anti-viral. Its also knows to provide antioxidant support. Raising lp6 in the immune system is likely dose dependent. I say its safe if used right.
Thank you for the insight Richard!
Well, elderberry and reishi are great for whatever cytokines are involved in my seasonal allergies! Haven’t had a allergic sniffle since taking that combo daily.
Glad to hear that!
As always we can count on you to be on the case! Up front and honest it is obvious your main priority is to help us achieve the best happy healthy lives as possible. This is very important information! Thank you! Your my HERO
You’re welcome. Always trying to do the best.
I was concerned about cytokines with elderberry but a doctor took it when she was infected with H1n1 (along w/vitamin D mega doses) and recovered quite nicely. H1n1 also had cytokine storm issues.
https://vancouversun.com/news/staff-blogs/high-dose-vitamin-d-and-elderberry-syrup-for-flu-treatment/
Thanks for sharing that. Lots of info to dig through. Did they really have H1N1? The testing for that was problematic, as has been the case in current events.
Secondly, there are different cytokines. Different herbs increase or decrease different ones. And then different viruses may cause cytokine storms based on different ones.
All that to say is that this advice is not full-proof.