This is scaring the crap out of me.

[BlueIris]

Apparently, some Dutch scientists have created a super contagious strain of flu.

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/alarm-as-dutch-lab-creates-highly-contagious-killer-flu-6279474.html

As some of you know, I have been feeling the possibility of a flu epidemic beginning as early as next fall. September, to be precise. I realize we have to be careful about "fear based" thinking and about making too many choices based on instinct alone (when rationality should be part of it, too). Still, I am so uncomfortable reading about this development.

[LiberalEsto]

1. Me too

It's like monkeys playing with matches and dynamite.

[Celebration]

2. makes me want to believe

all the "population control" conspiracy theories.

[WolverineDG]

3. Falls into the following category

Just because we can do something doesn't mean we should.

I feel the same way about cloning.

[magical thyme]

4. the (semi) good news for us

is that the elderberry-based Sambucol proved 70% effective against the deadly avian flu in in vitro testing. Not the same as in vivo testing, which couldn't be done for obvious reasons, but it has proven effective against many other strains of flu, both in vitro and in vivo.

The bad news is the last bottle I bought didn't taste 'right' and didn't work *at all.* What I discovered when I had my reading glasses on is that it was a 'homeopathic' version, instead of full strength. I have nothing against homeopathy. I have found some remedies do seem to work in that way. Sambucol is just not one of them -- it works by traditional ways, i.e. it contains a specific compound that changes attachment proteins on the viral cell walls so that they cannot bind with (and gain entrance to) human cells.

I don't know if full strength is still available, but will be looking into that for next year. Note that Sambucol uses a proprietary technique that extracts the above, anti-viral compound. Tests on regular extraction techniques (oil, alcohol, etc) showed that they did not extract the necessary anti-viral compound.

[mother earth]

5. How much of Sambucol does one take to be effective?

[magical thyme]

11. it's been a while

As I recall, a teaspoon or tablespoon every few hours at the onset of symptoms shortens the flu to 3 days, and as little as 24 hours if started soon enough. It also reduces the symptoms.

I started to come down with the flu once, started Sambucol immediately. I spent 24 hours flat on my back, but the next day was symptom-free, albeit with the drained feeling that follows the flu.

The real stuff tastes like slightly sour and fruity, with a thick, slippery texture like wild grapes. The homeopathic stuff tasted like sugar-water and lacked the texture, all of which I chalked up to the 'new, improved flavor' I'd read about previously.

[mother earth]

20. Yes, homeopathic works in very small ratios as I recall, thanks for the info. Seems like a good

thing to have on hand or in reserve. Thank you, mt.

[Kookaburra]

6. I found this on their website

Is this what you're looking for?
I'm woefully ignorant of homeopathic remedies, so I don't know what constitutes one.

http://www.sambucolusa.com/store/sambucol-original-liquid/sambucolr-original-4-fl-oz-120-ml.html

[magical thyme]

10. yes! thank you...

A homeopathic version would dilute the ingredients many, many times over (tens, hundreds, thousands of times) until there were virtually no actual molecules of actual ingredients left.

The anti-viral compounds in Sambucol react directly with the viral cell membrane proteins; they need to be physically present in sufficient quantity to do so.

[PuraVidaDreamin]

24. We've been making our own Elderberry extract

Pick the berries from around numerous marsh areas, drop them into a mason jar
then do a 50/50 mix of vodka and glycerine. Put them under the kitchen sink for 6-8 weeks
and voila. Seems to work- Everyone around me at work has had a cold- I felt it coming on
and did tablespoon every 2-3 hours and I'm feeling pretty darn good.

We do the same with St. John's Wart/ helps repeal SAD.

[Remember Me]

30. There ya go. Wish we had elderberries around here.

Sounds wonderful.

[Remember Me]

29. wonderfully effective elderberry is available elsewhere

I have never used Sambucol, but elderberry is one of the natural remedies I use to end a cold within hours whenever I get symptoms: http://amzn.com/1463773447

I first used elderberry in NOW Foods' (that ugly orange label brand) Elderberry and Zinc (lozenges) and I recommend that highly as one approach, but there are other elderberry products that I've used which work very well. Nature's Sunshine (my line) also has a formula, but to be honest I'm not that crazy about it though it's neither bad nor ineffective, just not my favorite elderberry product.

[Matariki]

7. Why do people do that?

I don't get it. I mean, what could *possibly* go wrong.

[kentauros]

28. I remember when this story broke a week or so ago,

maybe longer, but one person in that thread explained about working in a research lab. The scientists are seemingly separated from reality. All they see is potential knowledge gleaned. One point made is that they feel this is necessary research in learning how these things become contagious and how to fight new strains. Never mind that if such a strain got out, they'd be woefully behind the curve on finding out how to fight it.

I recall that the person that posted about them was discussing such things with the scientists and was thought of as trying to halt the progress of science, or just being very naive about the causes of science.

On a side note, most people in this area where I live (Houston) don't know that there's a contagious diseases research facility in Galveston. Yep. Right on the coast, subject to major hurricanes and floods. I believe it's part of the University of Texas system, and I'd suspect the people that thought that was an ideal place for it never even considered the danger of major hurricanes and floods. They just don't seem to think like the rest of us.

[Matariki]

8. Two things.

One, is that smiling man the creator of the flu, and if so I really would like to wipe the smug smile from his face.

And two - this is NOT a better idea:
"Some scientists are questioning whether the research should ever have been undertaken in a university laboratory, instead of at a military facility."

[Myrina]

9. Stephen King - The Stand

It's been in the back of my mind since the book came out in the early 90's.

[rucognizant]

12. What you focus on.................

manifests.....in the new dimension/ It i has been difficult and chancy to manifest before but that will change THIS WEEK!

[Myrina]

14. No disrespect, but ...

... I highly doubt that my reading a book that Stephen King wrote and that hundreds of other people made into a tv-movie based on the entirely plausible possibility that a government could (and probably has) engineered (and then lost control of) a 'super virus' is going to cause it to occur.

[BlueIris]

16. I want to clarify something now.

Just for the record, what I wrote in my OP about "being careful of negative thinking" was not meant to imply that I think addressing the possibility of this dangerous development could somehow create a flu pandemic.

I just meant that I was bringing a scary news piece in here and I didn't want people to think that I only want us to focus on the extremely negative potential futures that could befall us. I think it's important to be hopeful. I further think that if such an event were to take place, it would be beyond the reach of anyone here to prevent it.

The other reason I posted this here (and not, say, in the Health group) was because I have had at least one intuitive impression of a flu epidemic or pandemic happening next year. I was freaked to see something related pop up in the news. (Yes, I know that it wouldn't take a 'highly contagious' strain of flu to create a pandemic, but this article is creeping me out anyway.)

Again, for the record, I don't believe we're likely to "manifest" a flu pandemic through the power of, like, mental energy. There is nothing wrong with discussing it or thinking about it. But I also don't want anyone here to think I am encouraging anyone to fixate on the negative parts of this world. (Also nothing wrong with hopefulness.)

[kimmerspixelated]

18. Please expand upon

what will change this week. I am all ears. Because I, too, believe that our powers of manifestation are being etched up a notch, at least.

[mother earth]

21. this week? Yikes...

[NuttyFluffers]

13. i just keep thinking about "stupid, smart people"

how sometimes one may have book learning and not a lick of sense. curiosity killed the cat stuff, y'know?

and here's the fun part: someone funded that. think about that for a while.

it's not the blind leading the blind, it's the evil leading the naive through the field of apathetic.

[Mist]

15. "The evil leading the naive through the field of apathetic." That says it all, for so many issues.

[magical thyme]

17. the reason for developing it

was because 1. it is a matter of time before it evolves on its own, and not necessarily a long time, 2. they now have a version of it to study and develop treatments and vaccine.

Not saying I agree with what they've done here; just that was the idea behind this.

The problem with science is, no matter the intentions of the originator, new discoveries and creations can always be used for evil in the wrong hands. Or, as in this case, can just plain escape.

Eg, I'm sure the scientists who discovered the power of nuclear energy and radioactive materials weren't thinking about creating the atomic bomb.

[mother earth]

22. Yes, but....viruses mutate...non? So the study was done for good? Me thinks otherwise...why a

university...so any transgressions could be explained away as ignorance. On thing is for sure, any knowledge or good has always been (edited to say: ) mis-used for evil by those so inclined.

[magical thyme]

27. sorry, having a hard time following your post

Yes, viruses mutate. That is why it is only a matter of time before the deadly avian strain mutates into a form that spreads human to human. Right now it still only goes bird to human, except I remember reading of a single case that may have gone human to human.

The development of a strain that passes human-to-human I would expect was to enable it to be studied and vaccines/treatments developed in a controlled environment. I also expect it is handled only as class 4 biosafety -- that is, in a reverse pressure, sealed room, with scientists in another room handling through sealed, gloved sleeves into the microbe's room. Same as they handle smallpox and other totally deadly and highly contagious microbes.

I don't know what you mean by "transgressions could be explained away as ignorance."

But yes, it could be misused, which is why the controversy over sharing it. I'm not saying it was a good thing to do. Only that I don't believe it was developed with the intention of killing us all off.

[kimmerspixelated]

19. Oil of Oregano, Silver

is highly effective, I believe 99%. I don't have any lab stats, but all I know is that it has helped my family not get any kind of major flu for several years, now.

Some are better than others. There's the oil drops and the oil capsules. VERY spicey, must be mixed with juice. Wild crafted is the best.

Silver also very good. Again, not all silver sprays or drops are the same.

Couple this with a LOT of vit D and C should ward off anything.

Also, Olive Leaf Extract.

[mother earth]

23. Yes, have always been a strong proponent of oil of oregano, keep it and use it whenever the need

arises. Silver, I'm not so familiar with, but have watched a few videos online and find it very interesting. Olive leaf extract is supposed to be very potent....good things to keep on hand, IMO.

[BlueToTheBone]

25. Can you believe someone would engineer something like that?

It scares the crap out of me too. Too bad some freak fire didn't take the lab out.

[kimmerspixelated]

26. I've read many accounts of

reports of ET's intervening/preventing nuclear war. If the spilled disease is a threat of any magnitude, I believe they will prevent it as well. Our guardians mean business.