Whether you are in the middle of the cold & flu season (or a potential viral pandemic like Coronavirus COVID-19), or just feeling a little fatigued and under the weather, it is always a good idea to boost your immune system.
Stay tuned for more holistic, Ayurvedic and herbal wellness remedies, recipes and information for you to create better health, happiness, and vitality.
NOTE: These do not proclaim to cure illness and are no replacement for medical advice or care.
Elderberries
This incredible plant has been used and valued throughout the centuries.
Parts Used: All parts – bark, flowers, berries, leaves (most commonly just the berries/flowers)
Benefits: Used throughout the world for centuries, the elderberry has been regarded as a “pharmacy or medicine chest” all on its own. It is richly abundant in anthocyanin and antioxidants, which have incredible immune system boosting powers. It is not only very tasty (as syrup or tea) but has also been shown to be highly effective in preventing or treating flus, colds, and upper respiratory infections.
This powerhouse plant is both preventative and curative in its application. It can be taken to adapt/adjust to seasonal and/or situational stress every day or with increased dosage, used when feeling depleted in the immune system – with an approaching sniffle on the horizon or in the middle of a full-blown cold.
Elderberry is very user-friendly and is suitable for all ages. It works to effectively break up colds when nothing else seems to work – or better yet, set you up to prevent or fight them off altogether!
It is the plant alley I recommend when we are in need of extra support to usher in and adapt to seasonal transitions as well as an integral resource for the current times we live in. There is increasing value and an ever-growing need to cultivate resilient, high functioning immune systems.
*Note: never ingest raw elderberries, as it needs to be cooked down and the skins removed prior to ingestion.*
Elderberry Syrup Recipe
Quick Elderberry Syrup Recipe (“the folk method”):
½ cup of dried berries or one full box of Elderberry Tea (I recommend Celebration Herbals Elderberries Tea - affiliate link)
2 cups of water
1 tablespoon of fresh ginger (minced)
1.5 cup of local honey
1 teaspoon cinnamon (optional)
INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Combine all the berries, water, and ginger in a small saucepan over high heat – bring to a boil.
2. Lower the heat and allow to simmer until water is reduced by ½ (about 20 minutes).
3. Transfer berries/liquid to a clean bowl and pour through a fine-mesh strainer to remove the skins/pulp; use back of spoon to press out all the juice. Discard pulp.
4. Allow to cool to room temperature and stir/whisk in honey.
5. Transfer to a sealed glass jar and store in fridge (good for 2 weeks; can be frozen if needed).
RECOMMENDED USE:
Take 2-4 tablespoons a day during this time of year. Enjoy some in warm tea or over morning oatmeal, yogurt or cereal!
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AUTHOR: Jacqueline Boudreau is a Holistic Shamanic & Wellness Guide who uses Herbalism, Ayurveda, Plant Medicine, Yoga, and Intuitive Shaman Practices in her sessions. Through movement practices, energy medicine, breathwork, and customized Ayurvedic/herbal wellness plans, Jacqueline works with you to create a path. Your individualized strategies, plans, and rituals are designed to meet your unique needs and to help you shine your light brightly to the world.
Find out more about Jacqueline and her services HERE.