Worth it, IMO
This is one of those things where I really can't say for sure how well it works, but it's fairly cheap and it's probably not going to make things worse. (I say I can't say for sure how well it works because although elderberry has been proven to inhibit the Influenza virus, it has not yet been successfully proven that it inhibits other viruses. It certainly might, but to my knowledge, we don't have any studies to back that supposition up. Also, this isn't regulated the way a drug would be, so we have to take it on faith that the syrup really does contain elderberries in the concentration listed on the label. And finally, even if it does work, you can't know whether (a) it worked because of the berries or the placebo effect, or (b) how much worse your viral infection would have been had you not been taking the syrup.) I had read one thing online that suggests elderberry syrup outperforms Tamiflu, which gives me hope because it's cheaper, you don't need a prescription, and it's safer. Well, it's safer if it's properly prepared; other parts of the plant that produces elderberries are poisonous. So efficacy is up in the air...but there's enough promise that I, personally, feel it's worth the cash to take a chance that it'll help. Really, the only thing about this syrup that I can review with any confidence is the taste...which is fine. Some reviewers don't seem to like it, and that's to be expected, but I was pleasantly surprised. Honestly, the syrup is pretty bland. It tastes mildly of berries - neither tart nor sweet - and reminds me a bit of prune juice. (It's better than prune juice, however.) I've been drinking a teaspoon at a time mixed with a tablespoon or two of water. I have no urge to guzzle the stuff, but it's really not bad at all
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