Elderberry syrup

[Stolzk]

Has anybody used this when you have a cold/flu? There is a warning on the directions to make it that says people with an autoimmune disease should not use or be careful as it boosts your immune system and ours is already overactive. Makes sense, but it also isn't studied as it's a homeopathic remedy.

[jimmylegs]

immune systems have signals which include 'attack' and 'stop attacking'. some immune 'boosters' support the 'stop attacking' function (anti-inflammatory). take any recommendation to avoid a product's 'immune boosting' qualities with a grain of salt.

i have recommended this product (which includes elderberry) to ppl with colds.
https://www.quantumhealth.com/collectio ... -raspberry
i like it more for the zinc than for the elderberry
Zinc is an Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Agent: Its Role in Human Health
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4429650/
the author of that article is a big name in zinc research.

quantum's thera zinc/elderberry lozenges are chalky but should taste good - especially if your system is low in zinc. as you top up in zinc, your sensory perception of taste improves and the lozenges start to taste metallic. people drop out of studies; i strongly suspect this is why the jury is still out on the efficacy of zinc lozenges as a useful therapy in common cold. when the lozenges start to taste bad, this is just your ability to taste the zinc improving. if they taste metallic right from the start, vs just chalky, you're topped up with zinc already.

personally i like this product much better, as it has a more diverse array of antioxidant, antibacterial and antiviral nutrients.
http://www.carlsonlabs.com/p-32-aces-zn.aspx

if i made my own, the distribution of nutrients would be different. but, you can still safely double up on the recommended dose of these for a few days, if you already have the cold when you start taking it.