A new study explains how elderberries stop the flu virus.
Scientists have identified a compound in elderberries that immediately immobilizes the flu virus.
Of the previous studies have previously shown that elderberry extract can alleviate flu symptoms and cut the duration of illness in half, but a new study explains exactly how this ancient remedy works.
The unique phytochemicals in elderberries prevent the virus from entering or even attaching to our healthy cells when taken as a preventative during flu season.
Even if the flu has already set in, the compound prevents the virus from replicating, eliminating symptoms within 48 hours.
The researchers used commercially grown elderberries that were turned into serum and applied to cells before, during and after they were infected with the flu virus.
The result was a “potent direct antiviral effect against the influenza virus”, said le Dr Golnoosh Torabian.
“It inhibits the early stages of an infection by blocking key viral proteins responsible for both virus attachment and entry into host cells.”
The extract was also effective in fighting the virus in later stages of infection, by stimulating infected cells to release cytokines – chemical messengers that the immune system uses for communication between different cell types to help coordinate a more effective response.