One Simple Remedy to Prepare for Cold/Flu Season +RECIPE

One Herb for the Whole Family:  

     Looking for an herb that will help protect the whole family throughout cold and flu season?  It's one thing for a single person to be sick in the household… but if the whole family becomes sick it can be a nightmare!   Prepare yourself and the other members of your household for the cold and flu season by dosing out this one simple herb daily as a syrup or tincture.

 Elderberry (Sambucas nigra) is an an herb in which the flowers, berries, and leaves are utilized for medicine.   It is a tonic herb, which means it is meant to be taken over a long period of time.  This wonderful plant, when taken daily, builds the immune system so that the body can adjust and overcome viruses and bacteria more effectively and efficiently.  It aids in the prevention of getting sick as well as a more speedy recovery after sickness.  Elderberry also builds and maintains the integrity of capillary walls which helps strengthen against seasonal allergies.  It is safe for kids and toddlers and tasty for the whole family!

 How to Take It:

Frequency:     2-3x per day on an empty stomach, 30 min before meals

Duration:     2-4 months, or 2 months before cold/flu season+ continue through cold/flu season

Dosage for Body Weight:

Body Weight, lbs	Dosage
36-75 lbs	1 tsp
76-115 lbs	½ Tbsp
116-135 lbs	1 Tbsp
136-150 lbs	1 1/2 Tbsp
151-170 lbs	2 Tbsp
171-190 lbs	2 ½ Tbsp
191-110 lbs	3 Tbsp
111- 135 lbs	3 ½ Tbsp
136+	4 Tbsp

Where to Get Elderberry Syrup:

Purchase Elderberry Syrup from a reputable company like Gaia Herbs or Planetary Herbals.  Check the back ingredients label to make sure the syrup is made with just elderberry, unless you are looking for a blend (you might see products out there with ginger and clove). 

Make your own Elderberry Syrup:  

You can buy the dried Sambucas nigra berries online from growers like Mountain Rose Herbs or Starwest Botanicals.  It is much more cost effective to make it at home.  Follow the instructions below to make your own syrup! 

Elderberry Syrup

Ingredients:

2 cups filtered water

1 cup dried Elder (Sambucas nigra) berries

¼ cup raw honey

Instructions:

·        Use a heavy bottomed stainless steel pot with a lid.  Bring the water to a boil, covered.  

·        Reduce to a light simmer. 

·        Add the Elder berries and cover with lid.  Simmer on low temperature for 30-40 minutes. 

·        Remove from heat.  Let cool with lid on for 10-30 minutes, allowing for the liquid to be hot enough to melt the honey.   

·        Once the liquid has cooled a bit, strain liquid through a fine mesh strainer, cheese cloth, or muslin bag in to a ceramic bowl or heat-proof glass jar.  Press liquid out of berries with spoon.   Set berries aside. 

·        Add the raw honey to the liquid and stir to dissolve.

·        Discard berries on to the earth or compost pile.

·        Keep in the fridge in a tightly sealed glass container for up to 6 months.