It's that time of year. Everyone around us is coughing, sneezing and feeling icky. Cold and flu time is upon us.... And we all know how miserable we can feel when we have a cold, or, even worse, if we actually catch a flu virus.
That simple little cold will cause a runny nose, itchy eyes, chest congestion, a miserable cough, fatigue and exhaustion, and even sleepless nights where we are completely stuffed up, and coughing for what feels like all night long.
And then, if our little ones catch the cold, it's even worse! An abundance of boogers and runny noses, non-stop coughing, lots of whining and fussing, and maybe even a low grade fever. This makes our babes feel yucky, and it makes us feel helpless, as there isn't much we can do to help them. And flu, oh my, the flu virus is even worse......
BUT, we are not helpless. We can protect ourselves and our children, and we can naturally build immune systems to keep these viruses at bay, and to heal ourselves quickly if we do possibly catch these viruses.
There are multiple ways to build the immune system naturally, and to protect ourselves and our children, from unwanted viruses and germs, and Elderberry Juice is one that I swear by! Check out each of the following ways to naturally boost the immune system, and then go on and read my suggestions on using Elderberry Juice, and find an incredible recipe for making your own, down below!
Natural Immune Boosting Suggestions
- Eat plenty of organic fruits and vegetables
- Limit sugar and processed foods
- Get enough sleep and rest
- Get your daily dose of Vitamin C and Vitamin D
- Use immune boosting doTERRA essential oils, especially OnGuard Proprietary Blend
- Get outside, and breathe in that fresh air (especially helpful to those of you that work in a closed up office space all day, or for the children who spend all day in a closed up daycare room or a closed up classroom)
- Take a daily dose of homemade organic Elderberry Juice
Elderberry: A Natural Remedy for Mild Colds and Flu
When we are sick, there is certainly a time and a place for conventional medicine and even a possible doctors visit. Unfortunately, there isn’t much that conventional medicine can do for a common cold or even a case of the flu.
If you or your child has ever had a rough case of the common cold or the flu, you know how just miserable it can be, and just how bad you can feel. And its even more miserable for moms to see our children sick and us not be able to do anything to take away their sickness. Thankfully, we can turn to nature to help provide some natural remedies that can help us boost our immune systems so as to avoid minor illnesses and shorten the duration of an illness if we do become sick.
Elderberry have been shown to help avoid these illnesses such as colds and flu, and to speed recovery in those who already have the viruses. Elderberries also seem to offer some relief of the discomfort of the nasty symptoms, for myself and my children, during minor illnesses, including symptoms such as a sore throat, inflamed sinuses, or coughing.
Benefits of Elderberry
Elderberries naturally contain high levels of vitamins A, B, and C, which all stimulate the immune system. Elderberries are jam packed with nutrients including minerals like iron, potassium, phosphorous, and copper, as well as vitamins A, B, and C, plus proteins and dietary fiber. Add some of the beneficial organic compounds that function as anti-inflammatory and antioxidant agents in the body, and you have one powerful berry! These berries are a dark blue, purplish berry that is both rich in color and nutrition.
Many researchers have found that the complex sugars in elderberries help to support the immune system in fighting off our winter colds and flu. Researchers have developed formulas based on these complex sugars that have been clinically shown to help alleviate all kinds of cold/flu symptoms.
Make your own homemade organic Elderberry Juice
For me, this elderberry plant is definitely something full of nutrition, vitamins, and many minerals, and I find it to be a necessary daily intake. I have been making my own homemade organic elderberry juice for many years now, and my children get a teaspoon a day and I get a tablespoon per day. If there is any onset of a cold, symptoms including any coughing, sneezing, congestion, runny nose, etc, or the flu, then my children and I get a dose every 2-3 hours. Luckily for us, there has only been one case of the flu in my family of 4, in the last 5 years. Probably thanks to our beloved elderberry juice!
My favorite recipe for making my own Elderberry Juice, has to have credit given to Wellness Mama!! I found her recipe years ago, and I have always followed it! Check out how simple it is. Certainly the easiest elderberry syrup recipe made with dried elderberries, honey and herbs, for our natural immune boosting and for quite a delicious syrup.
Ingredients
- 2/3 cup dried black elderberries (about 3 ounces) can be purchased on Amazon by the pound, or in most health food stores as well
- 3 1/2 cups of water
- 2 Tablespoons fresh or dried ginger root
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon powder
- 1/2 teaspoon cloves or clove powder
- 1 cup raw honey (optional)
Instructions
- Pour water into medium saucepan and add elderberries, ginger, cinnamon and cloves (do not add honey!)
- Bring to a boil and cover, and reduce to a simmer for about 45 minutes to an hour, or until the liquid has reduced by almost half.
- Remove from heat and let cool enough to be handled. Mash the berries carefully using a spoon or other flat utensil. Pour through a strainer into a glass jar or bowl.
- Discard the elderberries (or compost them!) and let the liquid cool to lukewarm. When it is no longer hot, add 1 cup of honey and stir well.
- When honey is well mixed into the elderberry mixture, pour the syrup into a quart sized mason jar or 16 ounce glass bottle of some kind.
Ta Da! You just made homemade elderberry syrup! Store in the fridge and take daily for its immune boosting properties.
Take care of yourself and your family! Boost that immune system. Make this Elderberry Juice!
Stay well friends.
