What's all the buzz about Elderberry Syrup?
NC Elderberries, locally-harvested Reishi mushroom, and Appalachian Raw Honey are the basic ingredients for my favorite Elderberry Syrup
With each passing year it seems that the cold and flu bugs are becoming more and more tenacious. Respiratory and gastrointestinal viruses move through schools and communities in Western North Carolina from late Fall through early Spring often catching even those people “who never get sick”.
I am, or rather was, one of those people. I couldn’t remember the last time I got the flu until I got hit with it twice last winter! Unless we hole up in our homes and avoid all human contact for the next four months we will likely come into contact with one of these pesky viruses this winter. What can we do to be better prepared?
This is the time of year when I start stocking my medicine cabinet and pantry with herbs, supplements and foods to help keep my family healthy through the winter months. The most important thing in my medicine cabinet is Elderberry Syrup.
Elderberry fruit provides potent immune support and has specific effects against viruses like H1N1 and other flu strains. The deep, dark purply-red color of the fruit extract shows off its rich bioflavonoid content. The berries are also packed full of Vitamin C and Vitamin A which both play key roles in immune system function.
Elderberry supplements come in many forms, but my favorite way to take it is as a syrup. A good quality Elderberry Syrup is made of elderberries (whole fruit or extract), raw honey, occasionally raw apple cider vinegar or organic ethanol (to make the syrup shelf-stable) and not much more. Other herbs such as echinacea, reishi mushroom, and ginger are often added to syrups to make them even more potent immune tonics, but are not necessary for elderberry to be effective.
What else can you do to stay healthy this winter?
Supplements such as Vitamin C, Vitamin D, and Zinc can also be helpful in warding off common colds and keeping the immune system in top shape. And, of course, Acupuncture! Whether you think you might be coming down with something, or you just want to stay ahead of cold and flu season, regular acupuncture treatments can provide a great boost to the immune system and help keep you healthy all year long! Check out our Winter Wellness Packages to keep you and your families healthy this cold and flu season!
For more information on Elderberry:
Gaia Herbs, Black Elderberry 101
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