This morning we awoke to frosty yards and the sound of the furnace running to keep the chill of autumn at bay. With this change of season comes a distinct challenge to our immune systems. While sniffling, runny noses, cough filled nights and sore throats threaten to become the norm, we can turn to our allies in the plant kingdom for some support. There are many safe and effective local herbs that we can use to keep us healthy at this time of year, and throughout the winter months. Here are 2 great herbal allies to consider adding to your medicine cabinet:
Elderberry: ANTI-VIRAL MAGIC!
image courtesy of www.plantcurator.com
Sambucus nigra (European Elder) is one of the most commonly used medicinal plants in Europe (In North America, S. canadensis is also used). It has a great history of practical and magical use in Europe, where traditionally it was used to battle the plague and influenza, and was also thought to mark the gateway to the underworld(1). While our modern day conceptions of magic and the underworld may not compare to those of our medieval brethren, the physical ailments that effected people then, are still relevant today. Viruses, respiratory disease, inflammation and pain are just as real today as they were back then, making the Elder a relevant and important plant to study and to understand.
Elder is an abundant medicine. It grows prolifically in North America and Europe and the plant itself is versatile and practical. Every part of the plant, from the root, to the bark, leaves, flowers and berries are all useful medicines. Traditionally, each part of the Elder plant has a slightly different function, which also changes whether the parts are employed topically or internally, dried or fresh.
The plant’s affinity for the lungs, and its anti-viral potential have made it a very intriguing plant to study in relation to influenza infection, along with other viral infections. Much of this research was inspired by the work of a virologist who discovered that elderberry extracts can disarm viruses from being able to penetrate healthy cell walls, therefore preventing viral replication (7). This is the likely mechanism for the plant’s action against flu viruses.
Several Studies point to its efficacy in the acute treatment of Influenza A and B Infection. One study in Norway showed that patients who received 15 ml of elderberry syrup four times a day for 5 days, saw symptom relief an average of 4 days earlier, with significantly less rescue medication used, compared to those receiving placebo (8). Another study showed that 93% of flu infected people treated with Sambucus berry extract showed marked flu symptom improvement and cure within 2-3 days, while those without treatment took 6 days to improve to the same level (9).
It is this anti-viral action, in combination with Sambucus nigra’s immune -boosting , antioxidant action (and the fact that Elder berry jam and syrup are fantastic, even kids will take it!), is what makes it a wonderfully, dare I say, magical plant medicine (10).
Chamomile: “CURE IT ALL”
image courtesy of www.plantcurator.com
Chamomile, (Matricaria recutita) grows prolifically, and sits in every kitchen cupboard across Europe. Growing up, every scratchy throat, every bout of diarrhea, every cranky mood, every sleepless night, every single childhood ailment was treated with a cup of chamomile tea. Matricaria recutita is the epitome of folk medicine: accessible, abundant, effective and simple.
Modern science has gone a long way in confirming what folk medicine has always known about this plant. Matricaria recutita has been shown to be antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, anti-ulcer, anti- viral, and has sedative effects (2). It does a great deal of healing to the digestive system, skin and the nervous system. The main constituents (bio-chemicals) in Chamomile include azulene, bisabolol, luteolin and quercetin (all of which are highly researched, and are well known for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory actions). Bisabolol is the constituent credited for Chamomile’s antibacterial and anti fungal properties. It is important to respect that there are different types of Chamomile, and most of the benefits are attributed to the German variety.
Chamomile, well known for its antifungal, antibacterial and antiviral action, is a very broad acting plant (which is why it is prescribed for so many different ailments). For example, topical chamomile oil shows antimicrobial activity against common strains of Streptococcus and Staphylococcus, and antifungal activity against Candida albicans (3,4). The whole herb has also been shown to be effective against H. pylori (a common digestive tract infection that can lead to cancer) and E. Coli (5,6). Clinically, the use of cool chamomile tea for the treatment of styes and mild eye infections can often work well.
Chamomile is a very safe herb. There is no known toxicity to it. The only concern to be wary of is allergy. Some people are allergic to the entire family of plants that Chamomile belongs to (the Asteracea family). If you have a history of pollen allergies, and have never tried chamomile before, be sure to take a few small sips before consuming larger amounts of the tea. Allergy is rare, but possible.
Chamomile and Elder are two of our favourite plants. The fact that they are broad acting and taste wonderful, make them an easy medicine to prescribe. They should be an essential part of any family’s medicine cabinet.
In health and happiness,
Your Village NDs
p.s. COMING SOON….stay tuned for future posts discussing our favourite vitamins and supplements to add to the winter medicine cabinet!
REFERENCES
1) Wood, Matthew. Earth Wise Herbal.
2) Matricaria Chamomilla. Monograph (German chamomile). Alternative Medicine Review Volume 13, Number 1 2008.
3) Cinco M, Banfi E, Tubaro A, et al. A microbiological survey on the activity of a hydroalcoholic extract of camomile. Int J Drug Res 1983;21:145-151.
4) Aggag ME, Yousef RT. Study of antimicrobial activity of chamomile oil. Planta Med 1972;22:140-144.
5) Annuk H, Hirmo S, Turi E, et al. Effect on cell surface hydrophobicity and susceptibility of Helicobacter pylori to medicinal plant extracts. FEMS Microbiol Lett 1999;172:41-45.
6) Turi M, Turi E, Koljalg S, Mikelsaar M. Influence of aqueous extracts of medicinal plants on surface hydrophobicity of Escherichia coli strains of different origin. APMIS 1997;105:956-962
7) Sambucus Nigra Monograph Alternative Medicine Review ◆ Volume 10, Number 1 2005 Page 51.
8) Zakay-Rones Z, et al. Randomized study of the efficacy and safety of oral elderberry extract in the
treatment of influenza A and B virus infections. J Int Med Res. 2004 Mar-Apr;32(2):132-40.
9) Zakay-Rones Z et al Inhibition of several strains of influenza virus in vitro and reduction of symptoms
by an elderberry extract (Sambucus nigra L.) during an outbreak of influenza B Panama. . J Altern
Complement Med. 1995 Winter;1(4):361-9.
10) Barak V, Halperin T, Kalickman I. The effect of Sambucol, a black elderberry-based, natural product,
on the production of human cytokines: I. Inflammatory cytokines. Eur Cytokine Netw. 2001 Apr-
Jun;12(2):290-6.