I am not adept enough to discern the truth of this article.
Any thoughts?...
https://lindseyelmore.com/elderberry-an ... d-to-know/
"I have been getting slammed with questions about taking immune-enhancing elderberry syrup and other natural products during the Coronavirus epidemic. So many people want to know if it’s safe to take elderberry when there is a risk of contracting COVID-19. Here I will present the available facts in an effort to address aaaaalllll the questions.
First Things First
Don’t expect a direct answer or recommendation from me. My stance is—and always has been—to provide science-based information to empower you to make your own decisions. I’ll present the known facts and allow you to form your own opinion.
Another thing to note is that this virus is novel. What that basically means is that it’s new. Because of this, COVID-19 is still in the early stages of research, so oftentimes there simply isn’t much information on every factor surrounding this virus. The answer, “We don’t know” truly applies to so many facets and leaves questions unanswered.
What’s the Concern?
The reason some people are concerned is because elderberry syrup activates the immune system by increasing inflammatory cytokine production. Cytokine Release Syndrome (CRS), aka cytokine storm, is a dangerous hyper-release of inflammatory mediators by the body. Some sources claim that there is an increased risk of cytokine storm with COVID-19. Theoretically, if this is true, elderberry could increase the risk of potentially fatal cytokine storm during Coronavirus.
The question is whether or not COVID-19 actually poses an unusually increased risk of CRS in healthy individuals.
Understanding Cytokines
Cytokines are small secreted proteins released by cells that have a specific effect on the interactions and communications between cells. They are our bodies’ immune system regulators and may be both anti-inflammatory and pro-inflammatory. The body releases these proteins in response to infection. This results in the recruitment of immune system cells to the site of infection. It’s one of the ways the body fights off pathogens that cause illness. Learn more about Cytokines and CRS in this post, where I cover the topic more thoroughly.
Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is a cytokine that is secreted by T cells and macrophages to activate immune response during an infection. Sometimes, the body over-produces these pro-inflammatory cytokines, which can lead to other problems, such as autoimmune disorders or CRS.
Most of the time, healthy people have nothing to worry about. The hyper-production of cytokines is most common in people with increased risk, such as those undergoing targeted immune therapy or those with a chronic autoimmune disorder.
COVID-19 and Cytokine Storm
Because COVID-19 is novel, our immune systems do not recognize the virus nor do we have any antibodies for it. The virus targets lung tissue, so the immune system sends immune cells to the lungs to kill the virus. This influx of cytokines, including IL-6, in the lung tissue causes a natural inflammatory response, which explains why breathing difficulty is common with the Coronavirus.
Because the immune cells do not recognize the virus, in some people, they attack indiscriminately and recruit more immune cells to the effort. This can be the beginning of a cytokine storm, in which the body will continue to dump more and more cytokines into the lungs, thereby increasing inflammation. During CRS, the immune system may not be able to kill the virus, but it may seriously damage the function of the lungs. In these patients, we see severe respiratory problems, such as acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).
How Big is the Risk?
We have to keep in mind that the above refers to a worst case scenario. The vast majority of people who contract the virus will experience mild to moderate symptoms and recover completely. Those at increased risk for a severe reaction include those who are immunocompromised, have a concomitant illness, the elderly, and people with other respiratory problems.
What We Know About Elderberry
Studies show that Sambucol Elderberry Extract activates the immune system by increasing inflammatory cytokine production. This is not always bad. Remember, cytokines are our body’s natural defense mechanisms. Some people refer to elderberry as nature’s flu shot because it exhibits multiple modes of therapeutic action against influenza infection, both as a preventive and a treatment method.
Not only does elderberry stimulate the immune system, but other studies show it actually inhibits the early stages of a viral infection by blocking key viral proteins responsible for both the viral attachment and entry into the host cells.
Some people claim elderberry increases the risk of cytokine storm. In theory, the possibility exists because elderberry does stimulate cytokine production. However, no documented cases of CRS caused or influenced by elderberry exist."
With Thanks,
Margo
Statistics: Posted by JaguarQueen9 — Wed Mar 30, 2022 6:48 pm
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I will probably have to end up finally experimenting or else call up to the show and ask.
Statistics: Posted by eliane — Thu Jan 28, 2021 9:30 pm
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Green Blessings!
Statistics: Posted by eliane — Thu Jan 28, 2021 9:24 pm
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Green blessings!!
Statistics: Posted by eliane — Tue Jan 05, 2021 8:21 pm
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December 2020 - Weed Wanderings
Wise Woman Ezine December 1, 2020: Nourishing Infusions; Winter Edible Weed; Healing Bath
November 2020 - Weed Wanderings
Wise Woman Ezine November 10, 2020: Hot Colds and Cold Colds; Seven Rivers of Healing
Wise Woman Ezine November 17, 2020: Elderberries
October 2020 - Weed Wanderings
Wise Woman Ezine October 27, 2020: Rosemary; Yellow Dock Seed Vinegar
See them here:
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Statistics: Posted by Allie — Tue Jan 05, 2021 1:07 pm
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September 2020 - Weed Wanderings
Wise Woman Ezine September 8, 2020: Using Herbs Simply and Safely, Part Two; I See the Wise Woman
Wise Woman Ezine September 15, 2020: Mysterious Mushrooms; Anti-Cancer Lifestyle; Cronewort
August 2020 - Weed Wanderings
Wise Woman Ezine August 11, 2020: Make an infused oil
Wise Woman Ezine August 31, 2020: Dried Tomato Pâté; Using Herbs Simply and Safely
July 2020 - Weed Wanderings
Wise Woman Ezine July 8, 2020: Yarrow tincture; Healing Medicine of Trees ~ Willow; Weed walk
Wise Woman Ezine July 14, 2020: Weed walk; Mallows, Violets; Polygonaceae Family; Soothing Sitz Bath
Wise Woman Ezine July 22, 2020: Headaches and Migraines; Burdock; Purslane
June 2020 - Weed Wanderings
Wise Woman Ezine June 2, 2020: After a Cesarean
Wise Woman Ezine June 11, 2020: Herbal Oils for Breast Self-Massage, Part Two; The Rosaceae (Rose) Family
Wise Woman Ezine June 16, 2020: Glorious Summer Greetings!
Wise Woman Ezine June 25, 2020: Green Leek Vinegar; Q&A - Heavy Menstruation; Tomato Toast
May 2020 - Weed Wanderings
Wise Woman Ezine May 5, 2020: Wild Salad with Wild Flowers; Strength Your Immune System
Wise Woman Ezine May 14, 2020: Weed Walk - Dandelion, Chicory and more
Wise Woman Ezine May 20, 2020: Herbal Oils for Breast Self-Massage, Part One
Wise Woman Ezine May 29, 2020: A Favorite - Oatstraw
April 2020 - Weed Wanderings
Wise Woman Ezine April 7, 2020: Herbal Pharmacy: External Uses of Infusions
Wise Woman Ezine April 14, 2020: Coltsfoot; Fatigue and Mood Changes; Horseradish Tincture
Wise Woman Ezine April 21, 2020: Herbal Pharmacy - Buying Herbs; Cauliflower; Motherwort
Wise Woman Ezine April 28, 2020: Weed Walk - Violets, Ground Ivy and more; Spring into Spring Salad
See them here:
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Statistics: Posted by Allie — Tue Sep 29, 2020 7:01 pm
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October 9: Moonlodge
October 10: Hands-on Magical Plants: Visionary herbs, dream pillows, flying oils, love potions
October 11: Fend Off Winter Woes: Prevent and treat colds, flus, coughs, fevers
October 24-25: Work-exchange Weekend
NOVEMBER
November 6: Moonlodge
November 7-8: Work-exchange Weekend
DECEMBER
December 5-6 : Work-exchange Weekend
More info:
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Statistics: Posted by Allie — Tue Sep 29, 2020 6:58 pm
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Statistics: Posted by Tinctures — Sat Aug 29, 2020 2:39 pm
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Statistics: Posted by MonaSophie28+ — Sun Jun 07, 2020 7:53 am
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I was wondering if anyone knows anything about pancreatic tumors, more specifically insulinomas -- functional tumors in the pancreas, usually benign, that secrete insulin and cause severe (often life-threatening) hypoglycemia?
My dad, age 62, has never suffered from hypoglycemia nor diabetes (though he has had chronic congestion and on and off coughs for about five years). For the last few years, though, he has had severe low blood sugar and has almost lost consciousness, the episodes are more frequent now. He has not been formally diagnosed, (specialists are two hours away from where we live and the trip would pose a problem since his blood sugar swings wildly up and down) but testing (so far) and doctors seem to think it is an insulinoma in his pancreas. He is having low blood sugar "episodes" on a daily basis that scare him and the entire family. We quickly give him honey, pepsi, grape juice to raise the blood sugar and it stabilizes, but only to crash again. And he is eating something small every hour. (He's always feeling full and has gained a lot of weight.) For 5 or 6 months he has taken chaga tea, as it is anti-tumor, but it does not seem to be helping. In the last few weeks, he's had episodes of double vision with accompanying headaches -- pain in the neck and forehead. It is difficult to supplement and treat the tumor naturally because many herbs and foods seem to lower blood sugar, but we are trying. Any suggestions? Anyone experience anything like this or know of anyone who has had an insulinoma?
Any advice or thoughts would be appreciated. Thank you so much for taking the time to read this.
MoonFairy
Statistics: Posted by MoonFairy — Fri Jun 05, 2020 6:43 pm
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It looks like your post was written a long time ago. I hope that by now you are better. It looks like you were doing lots of good things to handle and manage stress. Caring for a child can be stressful and caring for one with special needs even more so. Perhaps you might want to look at the nutrition aspect. Some raw milk might help with the stress as well as B-vitamins and foods that contain calcium magnesium or a magnesium supplement. Sometimes good old fashioned butter spread on a small piece of bread does wonders. My favorite butter right now is Kerrygold. Rich yellow color means more nutrients. A swig of nettle infusion in my raw milk always seems to help me when I feel like I can no longer withstand the stress. And some veggie soup helps to ease my stress as well -- 2 cups of chicken stock, 1 cup of water, a handful of green beans, 1 chopped zuccinni and a cup of celery. Boil, add 3 tbsps of tomato sauce, 1 tbsp. honey and 1/2 tsp of paprika and salt to taste. Let simmer for about 45 minutes. It really does wonders to help the adrenal glands that take a toll with the stress we are under. Hope you are feeling better by now, and if not, these suggestions might help. Best of luck to you.
MoonFairy
Statistics: Posted by MoonFairy — Fri Jun 05, 2020 6:14 pm
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