Flu-b-gone!

Usually, colds come on slowly, influenza tends to hit like a ton of bricks. Fever, muscle aches, cough, chills... you know the drill. Flattened and feeling like crud. What to do about the flu? Some folks will get a prescription to shorten the duration and severity. 
There are three hitches to that:
           A. Calling your doc in the middle of flu season may or may not get a speedy response. And the scrip works best at first symptoms.
           B. Cost: It can cost upwards of $200 - before a deductible! Yeowch!
           C. Availability: Prescriptions may not be good sitting on your shelf for a few months.

Great news for you: There is a solution that won't empty your pockets and is clinically proven to work as well as the prescription stuff! In Europe, there is a hot drink blend (or a regular syrup) of elderberry and echinacea. Several clinical trials have shown that it is equivalent to the prescription without the side effects some experience on the prescription (vomiting, diarrhea, neuropsychiatric).

More great news: Pre-made or DIY, We have you covered!
 
​A. Brand new from NH-based Megafood! Acute Defense has elderberry and echinacea, as well as vitamin C and zinc. Best part: it is under $20 for one bout of flu.
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​ B. Make your own elderberry syrup and take echinacea with it as needed. Here's a fantastic, easy recipe:
                                           ROSEMARY’S ELDERBERRY SYRUP

• 2/3 cup dried elderberries
• 3 1/2 cups of water
• Optional spices: 2tbs fresh (1-2 tsp dry) ginger root; 1 tsp cinnamon powder; 1/2 tsp cloves
• 1/2 to 1 cup raw honey or maple syrup

1. Combine berries, spices, and water and bring to gentle boil.
2. Reduce heat and keep uncovered.
3. Simmer until liquid is reduced by about half., about 30 minutes.
4. Remove from heat, strain, and add honey.
Bottle and store in fridge. Adults: 1tsp – 1 tbs daily. Children: 1tsp daily.


Last, both the DIY elderberry syrup-echinacea combination as well as the Megafood Acute Defense is excellent for many viral nasties - flu or cold. Elderberry syrup by itself is an excellent daily immune support, safe for almost everyone.

Here are some excellent links to back up my claims:

American Botanical Council
https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/abc-says-echinacea-preparation-as-effective-as-tamiflu-in-early-flu-cases-in-large-clinical-trial-300100942.html 

NIH - PubMed
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4528044/

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