If you caught my lastest blog on my journey with Bovine Colostrum (here), you know I’ve been dipping my toes into the world of bovine colostrum, hoping to find a root-cause solution for my chronic allergies and possible Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS) symptoms. This time, I’m diving into a specific product: Wondercow Bovine Colostrum with Elderberry. I started this experiment a week ago, and let’s just say it’s been an eventful seven days—complete with strep throat, antibiotics, and a few surprises. As a licensed mental health counselor and wellness enthusiast, I’m here to share the raw, real-time updates: what I’m noticing, how my body and mind are responding, and where this journey might lead.
Why Wondercow? And What I’m Targeting
Wondercow’s blend caught my eye because it pairs bovine colostrum—known for its immune-boosting and gut-healing potential—with elderberry, a natural powerhouse for fighting colds and inflammation (with the added bonus of reportedly tasting better). My main goals? To tackle two nagging symptoms:
Incessant, severe itching that flares up with heat (think showers or sweaty moments), likely tied to my suspected MCAS.
Chronic allergy symptoms—runny nose, postnasal drip, and that lovely “hacking” cough that makes me sound like I’m auditioning for a pirate movie.
For months, Benadryl and Claritin had kept these at bay, but I’m tired of masking symptoms. I want something that addresses the root—maybe calming my overactive immune system (tough ask since I have an auto-immune condition as well) or soothing inflammation. Enter Wondercow. Each scoop delivers 1,000 mg of bovine colostrum (BC) and 40 mg of elderberry extract. I started with one scoop daily (1.2 g total), and today—Day 7—I’ve bumped it up to the recommended double dose. Here’s how it’s gone so far.
Day-by-Day: The First Week
March 23 (Sunday) – Day 1: 1 scoopI kicked things off with my first scoop, mixed into a glass of water. Coincidentally (or not?), I started feeling sick—like the scratchy beginnings of strep throat. This was also my last planned day on Benadryl and Claritin, which had been holding my itching and allergies in check for weeks. No return of those symptoms yet, but I was too distracted by my throat to celebrate. Fatigue set in, and I braced myself for a rough few days.
March 24 (Monday) – Day 2: 1 scoop Full-on strep throat hit. I confirmed it with a test and started antibiotics, which historically wreak havoc on my stomach. I felt awful—poor sleep, pounding head, and zero energy. The itching and hacking cough stayed away, but a moderate runny nose crept in. I chalked it up to the illness rather than allergies, vowing to watch it once the antibiotics wrapped up. Stomach-wise? No distress yet, which felt like a small win.
March 25 (Tuesday) – Day 3: 1 scoop Still sick, but not as miserable as Monday. The runny nose persisted, moderate but manageable. No itching, no cough—just the slog of strep. I kept up the Wondercow, curious if it might soften the edges of this bug. It was too early to tell, but I wasn’t worse, so I took it as a neutral day.
March 26 (Wednesday) – Day 4: 1 scoop A turning point! I felt noticeably better from the strep—likely the antibiotics doing their job. Here’s the bonus: no digestive upset, which is rare for me on antibiotics. Could the colostrum be protecting my gut? My runny nose stuck around, but still no itching or allergy cough. I started to wonder if the elderberry was giving my immune system a nudge.
March 27–28 (Thursday/Friday) – Days 5 & 6: 1 scoop each The strep fog kept lifting. I was still on antibiotics, and my energy crept back. On Thursday, I noticed slight itching during a hot shower—my known trigger—but it was mild and fleeting, not the usual claw-at-my-skin with intense red mark-intensity. No allergy symptoms returned, though the runny nose lingered (I’m betting on the illness). Gut still happy, which kept me intrigued about colostrum’s role.
March 29 (Saturday) – Day 6: Missed dose This was a particularly busy morning, and I missed my scoop—oops. Last day of feeling remotely sick, though. No major symptom flare-ups, but I didn’t push my luck with a steamy shower to test the itch factor. Antibiotics were still in play, so I stayed cautious.
March 30 (Sunday) – Day 7: Double dose (2 scoops) Today, I’m officially strep-free and starting the recommended dose—2 scoops, or 2,000 mg BC and 80 mg elderberry extract. No data yet on how this shift feels (check back next week!), but I’m excited to see if it amplifies any effects. So far, my baseline is solid: no severe itching, no hacking cough, and a fading runny nose as the illness recedes.
Early Impressions and the Mind-Body Lens
One week in, and it’s a mixed bag—complicated by strep throat crashing the party. The good news? My target symptoms—itching and allergies—haven’t roared back post-Benadryl/Claritin. That alone feels promising. The lack of antibiotic-related stomach issues is a bonus I didn’t expect, and I’m wondering if colostrum’s gut-healing hype holds water. The elderberry might’ve helped me bounce back from strep faster, but that’s a hunch, not a headline.
As an LMHC, I can’t ignore the mental piece. This week was rough—sickness, fatigue, and that low-grade frustration of being off my game. Yet, I didn’t spiral into the irritability or brain fog I’d expect with inflammation on overdrive. Could colostrum be steadying the ship? Inflammation and mood are old friends in my counseling world—when your body’s fighting, your mind often feels the fallout. I’m eager to see if this clarity holds as I ramp up the dose.
Challenges and Next Steps
This admittedly wasn’t the cleanest test run—strep and antibiotics muddied the waters. Missing a dose didn’t derail me, but I’ll aim for consistency now. The powder mixes decently (a handheld blender helps), though the added small cost (less that $10 on amazon) is an annoying barrier for some. If you’re dairy-sensitive, proceed with caution—I’ve been fine, but your mileage may vary.
Moving forward, I’m on the double dose starting today. I’ll keep tracking my itching (especially with heat triggers) and allergy symptoms, plus any mood or energy shifts. Pairing this with my go-to stress tools—breathwork, running—feels like the next layer. My gut’s telling me (pun intended) there’s more to uncover here.
Let’s Talk!
This experiment’s just getting started. If you’ve tried bovine colostrum—or have your own itch-and-sniffle saga—drop a comment or reach out. I’m all ears. For now, I’m cautiously hopeful, blending my counselor’s curiosity with a body that’s whispering, “Keep going.”
Stay tuned,
Samantha Green, LMHC
Comments