CAN ELDERBERRY FIGHT COLDS AND FLU?

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If you’ve tried a lot of different cold and flu remedies, elderberry is one of the ingredients that you’ve probably come across. This herbal remedy has a long history of being used for medicinal purposes and is very anti-inflammatory. Elderberries contain more flavonoids than blueberries, cranberries and goji berries and this has a lot to do with their immune boosting powers.

According to research, it may be a good choice for treating colds and flu. So much so that it can potentially help symptoms on their way in just a couple of days.  

Elderberry has been commonly studied as a cold and flu remedy and the results have been super promising. It seems that elderberry has powerful effects for immunity, which is great news if you’re suffering from flu. Two studies confirmed that it can halve the average length of a flu bout and start to tackle symptoms in 48 hours. This is more likely if elderberry extract is taken within 48 hours of flu symptoms coming on.

A 2016 study looking at colds picked up during air travel found that elderberry extract can cut the length of a cold and make symptoms less severe. There was one catch though … elderberry was taken for up to 10 days before getting on a plane and for up to 5 days after arriving at the destination. Elderberry didn’t stop a cold from occurring but it did reduce the length of time that it lasted for. For most people, their cold was 2 days shorter and symptoms were milder.

If you’re eating elderberries, don’t eat  the raw seeds. These can potentially make you sick. Fresh or dried elderberries are great choices.

Pre made elderberry syrups are readily available but you could try making your own totally natural version. Dried elderberries are perfect for this as they have a pretty good shelf life. You can just grab a handful when cold or flu strikes. Team dried elderberries with ginger, cinnamon and cloves for a super effective immunity boosting syrup. Simmer the ingredients in water for around 30 minutes, mash up the elderberries, strain out the liquid and leave to cool. Once it’s at room temperature, stir in some raw honey. In the refrigerator, it’ll last for a couple of months.

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Here is the recipe I used

 

3 ½ cups water

2/3 cups dried elderberries

2 T. fresh ginger

1 cinnamon stick

4 cloves

1 cup raw honey

30 drops OnGuard essential oil (optional)

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Instructions

 

1. Pour the water into a pan along with the elderberries, ginger, cinnamon and cloves. Bring to a boil, lower heat, cover and simmer for 40 minutes.

 

2. Remove from heat. Pour thru a strainer into a glass bowl, mashing the berries to get all the liquid. Cool to lukewarm. 

 

3. Add the honey and essential oils. Stir well. Place in clean bottles. Label and keep refrigerated.

 

Note: 1/2-1 tsp. for kids or 1 tsp. for adults. No honey for babies.

 

I love recycling kombucha bottles for my syrup. I wash them out and take off the labels. A little lemon essential oil removes the sticky residue.

       

From my heart to yours,

Sharon