[ElizabethAnn330]

My 4 year old and I take Sambucus elderberry extract to treat colds and help prevent the flu. I read that some theorize that taking elderberry during influenza and h1n1 can cause a cytokine storm, which is what killed people during the pandemic in 1918. What are your thoughts on this? I'm very concerned.

[Martha83]

can you link to where you've read this. I've NEVER heard this. I've said this on the other post but the best source of elderberry to take is juice concentrate over the extract....in the extract they take out SOME of the benefits of elderberry but the concentrate has them all in it. It's best to take the concentrate for full benefit! Your baby can take it too if he's on table foods. It's a fruit...just let him try a small amount for a couple days and if no reaction you can give him a proper dose.

Anyway...I'd love to read the article you are referring to. I've never heard that but would like to look into it....

OH and btw....sometimes you really have to look into who wrote the article...simply because if they aren't a supporter of using natural cures they will distort the truth....like saying if you use coloidal silver you'll turn blue....it HAS happened but only in extreme improperly used circumstances, kwim? So maybe this is the same thing....it CAN happen but only if you have xyz also or whatever. Anyway...a link to what you've read would be helpful

[ElizabethAnn330]

Thanks for the advice on using the concentrate instead of the extract. Could you tell me what a proper dose for an 8 month old would be? How about for a 4 year old, and adults?

I've been looking for the articles I've read about elderberry and cytokine storm but haven't been able to come across them. I came across them by accident Googling about elderberry and flu prevention. I have come across other websites with message boards talking about it, but not the articles I previously mentioned. Still looking...

[Martha83]

Lets see...for the 4yo I'd give a tablespoon for preventative. For the 8 month old maybe half that. I was told you know you are getting too much if you get the runs from it so back it off it it causes that. I dont actually measure it I just glurg it in there lol....I mix it with vanilla yogurt for the kids too with their probiotics....it flavors the yogurt to a berry flavor and they always eat all of it....