Elderberry and the GERD Baby

I was recently introduced to elderberry juice by some friends of mine after my daughter struggled with back-to-back viral infections with severe nausea and high fever.  Since she tested negative for flu both times, our pediatrician could not prescribe Tamiflu.  But with swine flu still making its rounds in our area, we were concerned.

The discovery of elderberry has been a lifesaver to us--or at least, a sanity saver.  Last year (during the 2008-2009 fall/winter season) both my girls were sick for four months straight of nonstop viral illness.  Not fun!  And when my daughter became so ill this past fall, I was determined to  do whatever I could to prevent her from repeating last year's experience!

A weakened immune system can be a symptom of GERD as well as a side effect of long-term PPI use such as Prevacid, so I can not say if one or the other (or a combination) was the reason my girls typically got sick so drastically or remained sick for so long.  I do know there was a period of time where I simply had to keep them away from other children.  While I was glad they had each other, I longed for a time when I could get them "out of the house" and introduce them to a more normal toddler social life.

For the past six weeks, I have given my girls elderberry juice every day, and amazingly, they have not had a single illness despite being exposed to children in preschool and Bible study with runny noses, fevers, and even strep throat.  What's more, my younger daughter had suffered from chronic croup and recurring stridor since she was an infant.  She was being evaluated for acid-induced asthma when we began the elderberry.  Recently, however, her croup has completely disappeared.  The only thing I can attribute this remarkable recovery to is the introduction of elderberry juice, which reportedly is a natural remedy for asthma and bronchial irritation.

There is a variety of elderberry juices and syrups on the market.  Syrups, which usually include some form of sugar, are typically sweeter and can be administered in higher doses.  Juices or extracts, which typically do not contain sugar, are often mildly bitter and should be administered in smaller doses.    I prefer the juice because you can begin giving it to a GERD baby as soon as he or she is old enough to drink juice, whereas the syrups with added sugars may cause diarrhea if administered too early.  I mix 1/4 teaspoon of straight elderberry juice into a small cup of apple juice for my girls at breakfast.  They love drinking their "purple juice!"

I am including a link to Wyldewood Cellars' recent newsletter, discussing the use of elderberry to prevent the swine flu.  Wyldewood is a winery located in Kansas which sells elderberry juices (as well as wines).  Their juice is my personal favorite (a Best Pick!), as it contains no added sugar and is very cost affordable.  However, it is a local cellar, so I had to stock up the last time I visited my family in Missouri.

If you do not have a health store near you that sells elderberry (also known as sambucol or sambucus,) you can order online at Amazon.com.  I have listed a few varieties in my GERD Mama store for you to peruse if you cannot find a provider near you.

To Read About Elderberry and H1N1 Swine Flu Protection (page 3 of the attached newsletter)
http://www.wyldewoodcellars.com/PDFs/NL%2009-09.pdf