Originally published May 30 2009
Elderberry Trumps Tamiflu for Flu Remedy
by Paul Fassa
(NaturalNews) Concerned about using Tamiflu if the second, much worse swine flu breakout comes as promoted and promised? You should be. Besides the insufficient supply that is getting closer to its expiration date, Tamiflu is only partially effective. Furthermore, it's very expensive, and the side effects are so harsh and dangerous that it has been banned in Japan.
According to the New York Times, February 5, 2005, the World Health Organization (WHO) has even admitted that Tamiflu is not as effective as previously believed. But there is an alternative for several flu viruses, both type A and type B. It's a natural remedy that has no side effects and is inexpensive. It has been around for quite some time as a cold cure. But lately it has proven effective against virulent flus. It is Black Elderberry extract.
Tamiflu Hazards
The Sydney (Australia) Herald on April 20, 2009 reported in its world section that a Japanese study had been completed on the side effects of Tamiflu with negative results. A major reason for the study was to determine if Japan should lift its ban on Tamiflu, which, the Herald article stated, was very unlikely because of the of the conclusion of that study.
Out of 10,000 test cases of Tamiflu used by young people under 18, over half exhibited unusual behavior after taking Tamiflu. That behavior was sometimes as extreme as attempting or committing suicide. Eighteen deaths among young Japanese were associated with taking Tamiflu.
The 1918 flu pandemic reached such a high death toll primarily due to secondary bacterial infections. There is evidence that the use of Tamiflu creates an invitation to secondary bacterial infections. The "normal" side effects include fatigue, dizziness, vomiting, headache and coughing. The only positive of this very expensive medication is symptom relief for one and a half days out of a six day term of flu. But the side effects mimic the flu symptoms anyway!
Black Elderberry Extract Benefits
A clinical trial during a severe flu outbreak around 1992-93 in Israel confirmed a perfect cure rate of severe flu victims there. Another study performed in Oslo, Norway more recently, around 2002, also confirmed the amazing efficacy for type A or B flu victims of several different strains. The cures mostly occurred in two days while a few were cured in three days. Tamiflu cures occur normally in 4.5 to 5 days. It took 6 days or more for the flu victims on placebos to recover.
What was used in both Israel and Norway was a Black Elderberry extract product of Israeli origin. There were no side effects from taking this inexpensive flu cure. At the end of this article there is a simple Black Elderberry extract remedy recipe. In other words, you will be empowered with making an abundant supply of this extract cure to have on hand.
Elderberry has a very high ORAC, or oxygen radical absorption capacity: over twice as much as blueberry. In addition, antioxidants called flavonoids stimulate the immune system. Other compounds in elderberry, called anthocyanins, have an anti-inflammatory effect; which would explain the effect on aches, pains, and fever.
So What About Cytokine Storms?
Another factor in the 1918 flu pandemic death rate was the cytokine storm. A cytokine storm results in lungs so damaged that the flu victim may die. Cytokine production is normally a good thing. It is the result of the immune system's reacting to pathogenic or viral invasions. The white blood cells produce an assortment of cytokines to attack the invaders. Occasionally, there appears a viral strain that is so energetically invasive and virulent that it over stimulates the cytokine production. Then the cells of healthy tissues are attacked by the cytokines.
Supposedly, because of their already strong immune systems, this is more common among young and healthy types who are exposed to one of these unusually aggressive viral strains. The H1N1 or "bird flu" is among those few virulent strains. It is not yet known if this swine flu version is of the same ilk. Many have speculated that its origin is man made, perhaps as a bioweapon. After all, it is an unusual combination of swine, bird, and human flu strains.
A valid concern registered by some is the possibility of cytokine storms initiated by black elderberry's immune boosting capability. So far, there have been no reports of that activity. Besides, it appears that cytokine storms are usually a result of the type of flu virus strain rather than from the use of any herbal or natural cure.
Dr. Gabriel Cousens states that cytokine storms are actually a result of an imbalance between TH-1 and TH-2, which are cells that attack pathogenic invaders. The TH-1 cells go after pathogens in the cells while the TH-2 cells attack pathogens in the blood system. There is another natural preventative remedy for the potential cytokine storm.
Zinc helps correct this TH-1 and TH-2 imbalance by re-establishing a hormonal balance, greatly reducing the potential of a cytokine storm. There is good evidence that zinc salts also dramatically potentiate the action of the human cytokine interferon alpha, a type of protein that inhibits viral replication. Thus the immune system is less challenged, less likely to be overwhelmed, and free to handle immediate and present dangers.
Zinc is an essential component of the specific SOD or superoxide dismutase enzymes, oxygen radical scavengers. These scavengers can significantly reduce mortality rates following a lung infection, possibly even if from a cytokine storm.
Flu Prevention or Preparation
Dr. Gabriel Cousens and Dr. Russell Blaylock, among many others, recommend avoiding vaccines. There is ample evidence from many sources that at best, vaccines don't work. In fact, they tend to weaken the immune system, sometimes even bringing about worse conditions than the viral infection itself. Why else would "big pharma" successfully lobby, during the previous administration, for impunity from legal recourse due to complications caused by vaccinations?
What Dr. Cousens recommends is strengthening the immune system with vitamin C and D. Vitamin D storage is increased through skin exposure to outdoor sun and/or mercury free fish oils. Also, it's an excellent idea to ensure you are taking in plenty of zinc with adequate selenium (don't exceed 200 mcg) as most of the population suffers from a deficiency of this important mineral, which helps prevent cytokine storms.
Adding sub-lingual (for better absorption) B-12 is another valid protection against cytokine storms.
Getting enough sleep, as so many are sleep deprived, is high on the list of activities required for strong immune systems. Most importantly, having a good emotional attitude, which includes not stressing over pandemics and other issues, is essential to the immune system.
Oh yes, here's that recipe for making your own black elderberry extract tincture:
SIMPLE ELDERBERRY TINCTURE RECIPE
1) Clean Quart Jar add 1/4 pound dried elderberries (Must be Sambucus nigra)
2) Now fill to top with vodka. Put lid on tight.
3) Store in a dark cupboard and shake once every few days.
4) Label and date your jar. Let it sit for at least 30 days before you strain it. You can use it without straining it too and it will just continue to get stronger
. Dosage: 1 teaspoon four to five times daily during infections. Otherwise once daily.
Sources:
http://www.webmd.com/cold-and-flu/news/20031...
http://www.prlog.org/10038472-elderberry-ext...
http://femailhealthnews.blogspot.com/2009/04...
Dr. Gabriel Cousens Protocol for Prevention and Treatment of Swine Flu
About the author
Paul Fassa is dedicated to warning others about the current corruption of food and medicine and guiding others toward a direction for better health with no restrictions on health freedom. You can visit his blog at http://healthmaven.blogspot.com
All content posted on this site is commentary or opinion and is protected under Free Speech. Truth Publishing LLC takes sole responsibility for all content. Truth Publishing sells no hard products and earns no money from the recommendation of products. NaturalNews.com is presented for educational and commentary purposes only and should not be construed as professional advice from any licensed practitioner. Truth Publishing assumes no responsibility for the use or misuse of this material. For the full terms of usage of this material, visit www.NaturalNews.com/terms.shtml