Tuesday, April 9, 2019

Flu and Allergy home remedies...Fact or Fiction

Both of these crossed my path yesterday.  The first on a news segment which I quickly recorded so I could make notes and the second via email.  I figured it was a sign to share.



Elderberry Syrup can reduce flu symptoms

There have been report of people taking it for 100 years, but it has recently become popular.

Fact or Fiction? (Local TV News segment - WBTV)

Fact - They interviewed a local pediatrician and she reported that studies showed is does reduce flu symptoms in ADULTS. She warned that it is not FDA approved and therefore you can’t be sure of ingredients or dosage.

Elderberry Syrup is safe for everyone

Fact or Fiction?

Fiction – It is not deemed safe for children.  If there were any raw berries, stems, or seeds in the syrup it could cause GI problems and lead to cyanide poisoning.

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Can LOCAL honey help with allergies? The answer is …Maybe
By Greg Sullivan 3/21/2019

It’s one of the most common folk remedies that people swear by – eating local honey to ease seasonal allergies that affect so many of us. The thinking has been that consuming local honey produced by bees acts as a natural allergy shot of sorts by exposing you to local allergens.

"Is a very nice, neat theory, but there’s very little research to suggest that it actually works,” said Russell Greenfield, MD, with Novant Health Integrative Medicine

Aside from the lack of supporting research, Greenfield said there’s another big reason he’s not a proponent of the local-honey theory: Most people who get seasonal allergies are actually reacting to tree and grass pollen, not flower pollen collected by bees.

Still, Greenfield said trying local honey should be reasonably safe, and he encourages anyone inclined to try any natural remedies to discuss it with their provider. Note: Children under 1 year of age should never be given honey due to the risk of botulism, Greenfield said.

Allergies aside, Greenfield said honey does have its benefits. For children over 1, honey is considered as an effective cough suppressant, he said.


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