This elderberry elixir may tame cold symptoms
Q: Now that we are into cold season, it’s a pity that the use of elderberry isn’t better known. A traditional treatment for coughs and colds is elderberry rob. To make this, elderberries are boiled with honey, cinnamon and allspice, and the resulting syrup is strained and mixed with a little brandy as a preservative. A few spoonfuls of this mixed into hot water usually reduces cold symptoms very effectively.
Elderberry (Sambucus canadensis) grows wild in many places in North America. I suspect that the homemade syrup probably retains more of the plant’s properties than most over-the-counter Sambucus preparations.
A: Elderberry juice preparations have long been used to treat respiratory infections. Although it is not well studied, an analysis concluded that “Supplementation with elderberry was found to substantially reduce upper respiratory symptoms” (Complementary Therapies in Medicine, February 2019). An Australian study found that air travelers taking elderberry were less prone to colds and had milder symptoms (Nutrients, March 24, 2016).
When making elderberry rob or another preparation, be sure to use only ripe berries and do not include stems or leaves. These contain cyanide-related compounds that can be toxic.
Q: I had five falls in 14 months and injured myself each time. Concerned about this, I went to a neurologist. In addition, my memory was shot, and I could not focus on anything.
He put me through several tests, including one for vitamin B12. I was very deficient, but I did not have pernicious anemia. To address the problem, he started me on weekly injections of B12. That was more than two years ago, and we have switched to monthly injections. I have not fallen since that time, and I’ve regained my memory. I would like others to recognize that vitamin B12 deficiency is serious.
A: Vitamin B12 deficiency is more common than many people realize, and can easily go unrecognized. Pernicious anemia, in which people lack “intrinsic factor,” is not the only cause. Symptoms include balance and memory problems such as you experienced. Other complications include tingling in hands and feet, fatigue, heart palpitations, depression, shortness of breath and sore tongue.
Certain medicines, especially those that block stomach acid such as the PPIs, can contribute to vitamin B12 deficiency. The diabetes medicine metformin can also lower levels of vitamin B12. Moreover, people who don’t eat animal products don’t get this vitamin in their usual diet.
Q: As a dairy farmer, I have to wash my hands many times daily. The cracked fingertips that result are very painful.
To counter that, I keep a tube of lip balm (any kind) handy in my pocket and apply it often. It is very thick and stays in the crack to help it heal.
A: Many people have trouble with cracked fingertips at this time of year. Some people close the cracks with liquid bandage or household instant glue containing cyanoacrylate. One reader offered the following:
“I’ve tried liquid bandage as well as white glue on my cracked fingertips, but they don’t help much. Nothing works as well as A+D Ointment for cracked thumb and fingertips as well as split skin on my knuckles and heels. I rub it in and give it five minutes to soak in. Although A+D Ointment is traditionally used on babies’ bottoms, it works great on adults too, and it is inexpensive.”