So, if there was a way to make sure you and your family doesn’t get H1N1… would you be interested?  Better yet: if this prevention were easy to get, inexpensive, and had absolutely NO SIDE EFFECTS… wouldn’t that be great?

Well, there is no “perfect” way to avoid H1N1.

Your choice to vaccinate yourself and your family is a personal one and should come with some education on the issue. The purpose of this article is not to make that decision for you or sway you in any way. Instead, it is to inform you.
For example, did you know that there is an inexpensive and plentiful berry that has been shown to be helpful in treating Influenza A and Influenza B?  This berry is the elderberry. The extract of the black elderberry is called “sambucol.”

A small study published in 2004 showed 93% of flu patients given Sambucol were completely symptom-free within two days, while those taking a placebo recovered in about six days. This study treated people who had Influenza B.  H1N1 is subtype of Influenza A and now a study shows that it works for Influenza A as well.

Ering Thom with the University of Oslo in Norway reported the findings at the 15th Annual Conference on Antiviral Research.  Here are the findings according to WebMD and Wikipedia: There were 60 patients who had been suffering with flu symptoms for 48 hours or less. Ninety percent were infected with the A strain of the virus and 10% were infected with type B.  Fifty percent of the infected group took 15 milliliters of Sambucol (Elderberry extract). The other 50% took a placebo four times a day for five days.  Patients who took 15 milliliters of Sambucol had “pronounced improvements” in flu symptoms after three days. “Nearly 90% of patients had complete cure within two to three days. Also, the Sambucol group had no drowsiness, the downside of many flu treatments.”  The placebo group didn’t do nearly as well. Without the elderberry extract, they did not recover until at least day six. They also took more medications such as painkillers and nasal sprays.

Erin Thom said Elderberry extract could be an “efficient and safe treatment” for flu symptoms in otherwise healthy people and for those with compromised immune systems, such as the elderly.

Russell Greenfield, MD, a leading practitioner of integrative medicine and Medical Director of Carolinas Integrative Health, is quoted on WebMD as saying: “It can be given to children and adults with no known side effects or negative interactions.”

 

Is It A “Cure-All”?

Is Elderberry a “cure-all” for Influenza A (like H1N1) or Influenza B? Not even close. But, it is obviously something that should be further researched and the facts should be known so you can make an educated decision based on fact and not just clever marketing, hysteria or fear.

It is important to look into your options BEFORE you get sick. No matter what route you choose. Being informed early is the key.

 

Is It Better To Wash Your Hands In Hot Or Cold Water To Kill Germs?

One last tip about staying “swine flu” free…
It is commonly known that one of the best ways to not get sick with common colds or the flu is to keep your hands away from your mouth and eyes and wash them with soap and water frequently. But, is it better to wash your hands in hot or cold water?

Hot… right? Even the FDA, in its literature, recommends hot over cold because it removes bacteria harboring oils. Not according to a recent study. In a 2005 report in the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, scientists found NO DIFFERENCE in bacterial reduction between the use of hot or cold water.

Bottom line: wash your hands in water that is comfortable.