Elderberry: The ‘Miracle Fruit’ That Kept People Healthy Prior To Vaccines

Colds and flus were around long before the advent of antibiotics and other modern pharmaceutical options, which begs the question how did our ancestors cope without our modern treatment modalities.

Oftentimes what would now be deemed alternative forms of medicine were in affect. One herb that was widely leaned on during cold and flu season was the elderberry. Studies show that the elderberry’s fruit has inherent compounds that fight viruses, although the leaves of the plant are toxic. It’s not hard to set up your own small medicinal garden pharmacy by growing your own elderberry bushes. They tolerate poor soil and are easy to grow. You’ll want to plant at least two, so they can cross-pollinate. Keep them at least 3 feet apart. If you’re going for several rows then keep your rows about 12 feet apart. Don’t prune or pick from your bushes for at least two years.

Once you have your first crop of berries you can make your own elderberry cough syrup, sweetened with honey and stored in a mason jar. Try a recipe that calls for supporting herbal ingredients like, cinnamon, ginger and clove.

Key Takeaways:

Cold and flu viruses and their effects have a long history that predates modern antibiotics.
Elderberries, one cold remedy that predates modern medicine has, have been proven to have antiviral components.
Growing your own elderberry bushes is very doable, as elderberries grow easily and are forgiving of even poor soil.

“You can buy elderberry-based cough syrups, which have been proven to reduce the severity of the common cold or flu, in your local pharmacy.”