Anyone else dealing with cold after cold?

[Trek420]

I thought it was pretty tough already normally I get maybe one tiny cold a season. I think this is multiple colds if that's possible.

[Blueberry]

I've already had 2 this year. The lady whose office is beside mine has a little one in day care. So far, I'm batting 1000. The little one gets a cold, she gets it, she comes to work - 2 days later I get it. Took out half of November and another week in December. I do use hand sanitizer, wash my hands, etc., etc., but I still don't seem to be able to avoid the germs. *sigh* Hopefully her kiddo stays well for a while.

[OakLeaf]

Keeping my fingers crossed, but this MAY be the second cold I've been able to knock flat with black elderberry extract. It's been trying to catch me for two days now and despite EXTREME stress, the kind that would usually have me in bed with bronchitis, so far I'm holding it off. Touch wood. Last time I was willing to allow it might've been a fluke, right now I'm convinced black elderberry is THE stuff.

[Bike Chick]

I had my first cold in over a year during Thanksgiving that ended up turning into a nasty sinus infection. I just started back running and swimming and the sneezing and runny nose began again last night. I'm feeling kinda run down this morning.......Please let it just be allergies! I don't want another cold--my training was just going good.

Trek, I understand what you are talking about. How frustrating! I hope you are feeling better.

[GLC1968]

Keeping my fingers crossed, but this MAY be the second cold I've been able to knock flat with black elderberry extract. It's been trying to catch me for two days now and despite EXTREME stress, the kind that would usually have me in bed with bronchitis, so far I'm holding it off. Touch wood. Last time I was willing to allow it might've been a fluke, right now I'm convinced black elderberry is THE stuff.

Ditto.

Honestly, I usually get a couple of colds a season at least, mostly because I suck at sleeping. This year? Not so much as a sniffle yet (knock on wood). And what am I doing differently? The ONLY thing is my elderberry tincture. I still suck at sleeping, I'm still training (now publicly too since I joined a pool), I still work with the same people and I still have the same stress levels. And, I would venture a guess that I'm actually not eating nearly as many fruits and veggies this year as in the past because I now actively try to avoid eating things that are out of season and grown far away.

There have been a couple of situations where I *thought* that maybe a cold was settling in...but the next day, all symptoms are gone. This has happened three times already, too. I credit the elderberry tincture.

[Crankin]

What brand elderberry tincture do you buy, or do you make it on your own?
I have reactions to everything (including vitamins), but I have been reading about this for years. Oakleaf, have you had any of the side effects, i.e. from the diuretic aspect or stomach issues?

[OakLeaf]

I've taken Sambucol syrup, which is standardized, and now I'm using Quantum Health liquid extract (alcohol/water), which is not standardized but still seems like you get more for your money. I haven't had any side effects from either, even when I take them on an empty stomach.

[GLC1968]

I make my own. Organic dried black elderberries and vodka (30 days, darkness, shaken every third day & then strained). And, instead of the cheap vodka that I bought to make it, I ended up using good stuff so it's actually kind of smooth. Throw some sugar in there and it might actually taste pretty good (I didn't, but I could see how it would improve it)!

I did notice the diuretic effect at first, but I think my body has adjusted to it. Is that even possible? I've had no stomach issues at all and I usually take mine first thing in the morning on an empty stomach. I follow it up with coffee to kill the taste in my throat, too.