"Medicine Chest" Berry-

 

During this time of year, the leaves are changing, the weather gets a bit chilly, allergies can come and go and sometimes we see our kids getting runny noses or sniffles. I always dread coming into winter so much mostly because as the weather gets colder, it is more likely that my kids or my family can get sick. Something that may start small like a scratch in the back of your throat or a small headache can blow up to be something worse than expected.  One day you feel absolutely fine and the next day you wake up and you have a scratch in the back of your throat,  you feel very warm with achy chills up your body, sound familiar?

 

What if I told you that one small berry could fight these symptoms and shorten your cold/ flu  by up to 4 days? You would probably want to get your hands on them, and fast! It seems like this time of year everyone is trying to get well and STAY well, but despite our best efforts, it still seems to creep up on us randomly, and at the worst time possible.  Keep reading to find out how you can make this battle even easier to fight!

 

 

Where Do Elderberries Come From-

 

When I heard that Elderberries are known as one of the TOP antiviral herbs on the planet, it blew my mind! Hippocrates himself, who is widely known as the “Father of Medicine” described this plant as his “medicine chest”, because of how many health concerns it seemed to heal.  

 

Sambucus nigra is the full name for what we know as the Elderberry plant. It’s a beautiful deciduous tree that grows up to be about 32 ft. tall with white flower and dark blue-black berries. So what makes these berries so healthy and medicinal you ask? First off, they are very high in many vitamins and minerals such as vitamin C, vitamin A, vitamin B6, iron and potassium. In addition to that they also contain a small percent of an essential oil that is made of fatty acids and alkanes. Elderberries contain antioxidant properties even greater than those contained in blueberries or blackberries, these properties will help to prevent cellular damage. “During the 1995 Panama flu epidemic, the government employed its use to fight the flu. The berry’s juice greatly reduced the time of the flu as well as the severity, thus helping end the epidemic.”

 

 

Benefits of Elderberries-

 

Amongst all the vitamins and minerals and antioxidants this small berry contains, it also can heal many common ailments such as

• Sinus infections

• cold/flu relief

• Lowers blood sugar

• Encourages healthy skin

• Natural laxative

• Helps prevent cancer

 

Not only are these berries beneficial but the are also easy to incorporate into your diet, use them as a syrup, spray, ointment, or even incorporate them into your jams and jellies.

Add this powerful super berry to your healing remedies to bring you comfort and relief during this upcoming winter and hard to beat cold/flu season. Check out my Elderberry recipe below to find out how to make your own at home. 

 

Sources:

https://draxe.com/elderberry/

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RECIPE

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Elderberry Syrup (Instant Pot Version)

 

Ingredients

1 ½ c dried organic elderberries

4 c filtered water

1 c raw honey

1 tsp cinnamon

2 tsp ginger

¼ tsp cloves

Zest from 1 lemon (optional)

             

Preparation

 

1. Start by filling your instant pot with water, add dried elderberries, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and zest of 1 lemon. Put the lid on your IP and set the valve to sealing, set for 8 minutes on high. When finished do a quick release.

2. After the you have done a quick release remove the lid, hit cancel and set the IP to saute mode on LESS or LOW.  Let the syrup cook for another 10 minutes in this mode until it reduces by half. You don’t need any longer than 10 minutes.

3. Once done turn off your IP and pour your elderberry syrup into a strainer, use a wooden spoon to squeeze any excess liquid out of the berries. Once your done  with this discard the berries and let your syrup come to room temperature.

4. Once at room temperature you can add your raw honey. You want to make sure that the syrup isn’t hot when you put in the honey or it can destroy some of the properties of the honey.  So make sure it is cooled down all the way, usually about 15-20 minutes. Mix the raw honey to the mixture and then pour into a mason jar and store in the fridge for up to 4 weeks.

 

Tips: You can take the Elderberry syrup everyday for preventative measures (usually 1-2 tsp) daily or if your feeling under the weather then take 3-4 tsp daily. Also good for your kids! My kids love the flavor of it and it’s usually gone before the 4 weeks are up!

 

*Use Organic ingredients when feasible