The Trusted Elder Tree

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WARNING:  I am not a doctor nor do I pretend to be one.  The information on this page is strictly for educational purposes only.  If you are sick and need a doctor, please seek help.  ( I know how that sounds….it was intentional!!!)

If you’ve fallen prey to the fear mongering due to the H1N1, better known as The Swine Flu, you can put your fears to rest.

Knowledge is power.  I know you’ve heard that before, and it’s true.  I suppose most American’s are fearful of diseases mostly because they lack the knowledge to care for themselves.  It’s a sad state in America that we’ve lost our roots to healing.  We’ve lost the old ways that our ancestors brought with them from the old country.

I’ve armed myself with knowledge surrounding the H1N1 and have peace.  My goal is to not get the flu, but if I do, then I’ll have the ammo that I need to fight it.  I do wonder off my little farm once a week to go to Pottery Classes that I take at the Senior Center.  Under normal circumstances surrounding a dangerous flu, I might be leery of entering a public building solely devoted to Seniors. You always hear of Seniors being hit with viral and bacterial infections.  The Seniors are always the sick folks every winter.  But we’ve been told that the H1N1 is different. That it’s victims are the young and strong.

If you’ve been following my crazy life for any amount of time, you know that I’m not very technical…..mostly because I’m not wired that way.   Honey on the other hand is technical at the core of his being.  He must of spent over a half hour last night (after 10PM-that didn’t help) trying to explain to me the circuit system to the electric fence.  I still didn’t get it.  I tell him to just tell it to me straight…..you can hook it here, but not here!  Needless to say I had a little wiring to change this morning! ;D I digress.

All that to say that I’m not good at this stuff, so bare with me.  There are 3 main types of influenza.  A, B, C and the type is designated by the host and the mutations.  (I haven’t got a clue!)  Influenza C affects humans and swine and is usually mild.  Influenza B affects humans and seals and is usually a strong outbreak that mutates slowly by genetic drift……are you still with me?!  Influenza A affects birds, humans, and swine and it mutates by genetic drift and shift and changes from species!  At least that’s what I’ve been taught by my herbal teachers. Hang on now……

Type A, has subtypes and thus you get the labels H & N (I first typed H&M!!!!  silly me, but I do like that clothing store!)  So the H1N1 indicates that it has 1 H and 1 N cell structure to it, if I understand all this correctly (and if I’m wrong and you know better than I, please do correct me….but for simplicity sake…that’s the drift of it).  OKay, so knowing what you are playing with will enable you to take care of yourself better.

The regular flu usually involves fever, cough, sore throat, headaches and chills. At least that’s what we’re hearing on the news.  I’m sure you know the routine.  Who of us hasn’t had the regular flu at one time in our lives?  If you haven’t bravo for you!  The H1N1 however involves more diarrhea, vomiting, sometimes a lower fever, with worsening of lung issues. I know we had something like that in the 80’s. We were sick as dogs and it was coming from both ends with a violent force, fever, chills….etc.

If you can detect when you are starting to come down with the H1N1 you can begin to treat the symptoms hoping to ward off a full outbreak.  So let’s say you start to run a mild fever. That would be the time to focus on treating the symptoms and supporting your immune system.

Okay, now it’s going to get technical, so don’t bail on me now.  There are conflicting sources that say the H1N1 stirs up a strong immune response called a Cytokine Storm.  The definition is “When the immune system is fighting pathogens, cytokines signal immune cells such as T-cells and macrophages to travel to the site of infection. In addition, cytokines activate those cells, stimulating them to produce more cytokines. Normally, this feedback loop is kept in check by the body. However, in some instances, the reaction becomes uncontrolled, and too many immune cells are activated in a single place. The precise reason for this is not entirely understood but may be caused by an exaggerated response when the immune system encounters a new and highly pathogenic invader. Cytokine storms have potential to do significant damage to body tissues and organs. If a cytokine storm occurs in the lungs, for example, fluids and immune cells such as macrophages may accumulate and eventually block off the airways, potentially resulting in death.”

What has been seen with this particular influenza is that it is attacking those with a strong immune system (thus the elimination of the elderly) and is occurring in the young ages, 5-25yrs who are apparently pretty healthy…that’s the assumption.  As seen with the Cytokine Storm, the immune system becomes overly stimulated.  The important thing to remember with any flu, is that prevention is key.  So how do you practice prevention this year? Washing hands often and not coughing or sneezing on others because that is one of the ways it’s transmitted.  The H1N1 seems to survive on surfaces for several days.  So keeping surfaces clean will help with the transmission.  I always use rubbing alcohol to wash things down while someone in our home is sick….especially the remote controls.  It’s hard to care when you are sick as a dog, so it’s the healthy persons responsibility here to keep things wiped down and clean……door knobs, bathroom faucets, light switches, remotes, ect.

There are some very good herbal essential oils that are good for cleaning surfaces during flu & cold season; lavender, Lemon Balm, peppermint, Rosemary, Sage, Thyme and Sweet Orange are a few.  You can mix it with some white distilled vinegar and spray to clean surfaces.  Keep the viruses guessing by switching them out several times.  You can also use these same essential oils and infuse them into the air you breath as they will attach themselves to your bodies cells and be carried into the body.   Remember that sunshine is always a disinfecting friend so on warm days sit outside and soak up some Vit D which has also proven to be helpful with the flu.  In particular Vit D3 which you can take in supplement form.  Consuming a lot of Vit D rich bone broth,  ferments and the trusty High Vit Cod Liver Oil! Get plenty of Vit C in either supp form or using herbs such as rose hips and various herbal teas.

Sambuca Nigra

If indeed it’s true that the H1N1 creates a Cytokine Storm, then it is suggested that instead of stimulating the immune system, you ought to support the immune system.  To do that I always turn to Elderberry.  From the sources I’ve listened to, it seems as if Elderberry is able to at least turn off the H in the H1N1 flu.  If that happens you’ve already gotten it half way defeated.  Influenza mutates and herbs are known to modulate.  They assist the body adjusting it to the attacks of the flu. More great herbs to use for modulating are Calendula, Licorice and Marshmallow (not the white fluffy kind).  Calendula and Licorice are both anti-inflammatory and antiviral.

I keep an Elderberry Cordial mixed all season long.  I’ve been blessed with a volunteer tree in my pasture which is now being trimmed by Josie the cow!  Next spring I’ll fence it off so she can’t help herself to the clusters of berries.  I harvested 6 gallons of berries this year.  A blessing indeed from God who knew it was going to be particularly hard winter.  My berries go stems and all into a ziplock and then into the freezer.  When I need to mix up a batch I pull out a bag and measure what I need, then pop them back into the freezer.  They are super easy to de-stem once they’ve been frozen.  Just give a shake and they fall right off the stems.  Don’t worry about the little stem pieces, you’ll be straining your berries several times in this process.  Next summer keep your eye peeled for elderberry trees growing in your area and be a scavenger if you can access them.  Of course if they are on private property, you should ask for permission to harvest some.  Snip the clusters off with a pair of shears.  It’s the fastest herb to harvest.  Only harvest the ripe berries that appear dark.  If you can’t find any to harvest you can purchase Sambuca Syrup just about anywhere.

Elderberry Leaves are opposite with saw tooth edge

I’m not sure where I came across this Elderberry Cordial recipe, but it seems to be making it’s way around and is quite popular.  I use equal amount of honey and elderberry liquid.  A couple Tbsp of whole cloves, and cinnamon chips. If you like you can add Brandy.

Elderberry Cordial
1 Qt Elderberries
1 C water
1 tsp cinnamon chips
1 tsp whole cloves
Honey
Brandy

Combine berries and water and simmer on low for 45 min’s, mashing them as they soften. Strain out pulp and seeds.  Return to the heat and add spices.  Simmer for another 15 min’s and strain again.  Measure your infusion and add equal parts raw honey while warm.  Stir to combine and store in jars placed in the frig.  If you desire the Brandy…..it is good and adds heat that will warm the body and help ward off viruses, add 1/2 the amount in Brandy that you measured in Elderberry liquid.   The last batch I made I threw in a few Cardamom because I love Cardamom.  All the spices used are warming to the body as well as seeming to have properties against respiratory illness, congestion and anti-viral.

This is so good.  I take it every morning in my yogurt to support my immune system.  It’s wonderful over ice cream too!  This summer I made a batch using raw sugar and made jelly. At first I didn’t think it set up, but later found out that it set beautifully and was delicious on toast as well as in yogurt. You can also add it to some hot tea or sparkling mineral water. It’s even good in milk!

For immune support during sickness, take 1 Tbsp 3x day.  But if you’re like me 1 Tbsp isn’t near enough of the lovely elderberry!

The other remedy that we used this past March when the H1N1 was just breaking in the news was Mullein.  My Honey became very sick with what we presume was the H1N1.  His fever was spiking over 102 and I was feverishly (pun intended!) reading my herbal book out loud…..I came across Mullein and it’s use for influenza!  Honey barely lifted his head off the pillow and said, “get me some”.  I ran outside and cut some fresh leaves from my volunteer Mullein growing in my medicine garden (another gift from God and imagine that, He put it in my medicine garden!). I chopped it and made an infusion by pouring boiling water over the leaves and steeping it for 20 min’s.  No sooner did Honey drink the tea and his fever broke within 20 minutes!  He swears by Mullein today!  We would never be without this wonderful healing herb, which is also credited for reducing symptoms in respiratory illnesses.  You can usually find it growing in undeveloped fields.  Ours grows in our yard and I’m so grateful for it.  It’s leaves are fuzzy and soft and remind me of tobacco leaves because of their size.  They are huge. The yellow flowers are used for making an earache remedy. You can infuse them in EVOO and put drops in the ear.  And from my experience Mullein flower oil is a winner for earaches!

Mullein

Cinnamon Properties: Strong antiseptic with a tonic effect on the respiratory tract, eases colds by its warming action, indicated for influenza. Restores heat to the body. Reputation for resisting viral infections and contagious diseases. Stimulates tears, saliva and mucous. Calms spasm of the digestive tract, dyspepsia, colitis, flatulence, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting. Stimulates secretion of gastric juices. A strong stimulant of the glandular system. Tonic effect on whole body and particularly on the circulatory system. Genito-urinary system: stimulates childbirth contractions, leucorrhea, scanty periods.” (1)

“Cardamom Properties: eases stomach pain, carminative, aromatic, warming digestive stimulant, antispasmodic, orexigenic, sialagogue.” “anorexia, colic, cramp, dyspepsia, flatulence, griping pains, halitosis, heartburn, indigestion, vomiting”(1)

“Cloves Properties: Skin care: acne, athlete’ foot, bruises, burns, cuts, toothache, ulcers Circulation, Muscles, Joints: arthritis, rheumatism, sprains Respiratory system: asthma, bronchitis Digestive System: colic, dyspepsia, nausea Immune system: colds, flus minor infections(1)

(1) Herbworld.com

Most of my resources for this post came from my herbal lessons on Herb Mentor.