The Pope exorcises the flu with black elderberries

• Tuesday, 11 August 2009

The Pope exorcises the flu with black elderberry extract
Vatican triples order of natural cold fighting remedy

With a pandemic looming over us it’s not just us mere mortals that are anxious. The Vatican has ordered triple the amount of the immune boosting black elderberry extract than they did last year.

This year the International Pharmacy of Vatican City has ordered 600 bottles of the black elderberry extract compared to 200 bottles last year, showing that divine intervention may work miracles, but when it comes to combating flu, even the Pope needs a helping hand. Therefore we need to act like a Saint and do everything we can to boost our immune system and beat bugs fast.

Black elderberries are the natural way to help protect your family during an outbreak of an unholy influenza – the black elderberry extract is available from your local pharmacy or health food store.

In a recent randomised, double blind, placebo controlled study, black elderberry extract was shown to reduce the duration of influenza by around four days(1). This study adds weight to earlier research which found that within three days, the symptoms of influenza were relieved in nearly 90 per cent of cases treated with black elderberry extract, compared to six days in the placebo group(2).

Black elderberries are thought to contain a unique compound, which coats viruses and prevents them from penetrating and infecting healthy cells. As a result viruses, such as flu, are unable to replicate. The body’s white blood cells are then able to ingest the infected cells, effectively removing the virus from the body.
Black elderberries also contain high levels of natural antioxidants known as flavonoids which help strengthen the immune system against attack; indeed the black elderberry has twice the antioxidant capacity of blueberries and significantly higher antioxidant capability of cranberries(3).

Expert immunologist and registered medical herbalist Dr Serene Foster says: “Black elderberries have been traditionally used to help protect against a range of viral ailments, including flu, because of their natural immune health properties. Recent research has confirmed that these dark purple fruits contain a unique compound which helps the immune system to fight back against various strains of flu.”