Have you tried elderberry syrup?
Using elderberries medicinally dates back as far as Hippocrates. The “father of medicine” called the plant his “medicine chest” due to all of the health challenges it was used for.
It is known as one of the top antiviral herbs and is an antioxidant power house – with more flavonoids than blueberries, cranberries, goji berries and black berries.
It’s probably best know for it’s use for fighting cold, flu and upper respiratory viruses. Studies have shown that if taken within 48 hours of the onset of symptoms, it can reduce the duration of the symptoms by as much as 4 days.
I started stocking it on the shelves this year at our studio and I was happy to have it during the holidays. During that week between Christmas and New Year, I found myself feeling run down. I wasn’t sick, I just felt …blah. I felt like my immune system was working very hard, so I started taking the elderberry syrup and made a batch of “Healing Soup” and I dodged whatever bug was trying to shake me down.
If you have any auto immune issues, are pregnant or breast feeding, have any organ transplants or any other ongoing health issues, like with anything – always check with your doctor before trying anything new.
If you currently take any of the following medications, you should talk to your health care provider before taking any elder plant products:
• Diabetes medications
• Diuretics (water pills)
• Chemotherapy
• Immune-supressing drugs, including corticosteroids (prednisone), and medications used to treat autoimmune diseases
• Laxatives
• Theophylline (TheoDur)
Dr. Axe has this great chart with some of the top benefits of elderberry.
There’s plenty of DIY recipes out there for elderberry syrup. You can also buy it in health food stores, and as I mentioned we are carrying it now as well. There is elderberry tea, lozenges, and even gummy bears for the kiddos.
Let me know if you try it and what your experience is like!
