Nobody ever wants to get sick! We all know that. I have really taken some health measures to keep sickness out of my house. In fact, we have not had to visit the doctor (besides kids well-checks) since June 2013, when i start implementing some new things into our life that i'll be sharing with you. We've been so blessed to skip any type of flu this flu season, and have just experienced the occasional sniffle, even though there have been times we have been exposed to people with the flu or other viruses/illnesses. (LOTS of times, actually)
I'll share these things in parts since we do several things at our home.
A little disclaimer:
i do NOT think my family is invincible of sickness. that would be totally ignorant. AND, i realize that there are families who have tried to prevent sickness and have still struggled much of this past winter with sickness. That happens, and i'm in no way putting those folks down or claiming that didn't do the "right things." Maybe the things i'll share with you won't even be right for you! BUT, they are right for my family and I definitely want to share with you all :)
Take it or leave it, no problem either way!
sooooo.....
Who knows what these little pretty berries are?
elderberries.
Elderberries have been used for thousands of years in places like north america, western Asia, Europe, and North Africa. It has been called "a Holy Tree" due to it's what they would call in the middle ages "healing power."
Now i probably wouldn't myself called it a holy tree, but- there are some definite health benefits that this little berry offers!
They are VERY rich in antioxidants, more then twice the amount of blueberries!
from an article on Dr. Mercola's website:
"Antiviral components of elderberry fruit extract were tested and found to effectively inhibit Human Influenza A (H1N1 virus) in vitro, possibly by blocking the ability of the virus to infect host cells. The extract was so effective, that researchers compared it with the prescription medications Amantadine and Oseltamivir (Tamiflu)."
You can use elderberries as a flu-preventative, (or cold), OR, as a treatment when you get sick. We make it into a syrup that we take DAILY! :)
this is a picture of me simmering my elderberries!
To make it into a syrup is quite easy, and because it is SO SO sweet, my kids will drink a spoonful of it daily without any fuss! I also add their liquid fish oil to it and they take it down without even batting an eye!!
It takes about an hour to make, but is very hands off!
here's what you need:
- 2/3 cup elderberries
-3.5 cups water
-1 cup LOCAL RAW honey
-ginger root (1 tsp-optional)
-clove (1/2 tsp-optional)
Bring the 3.5 cups water and elderberries to a boil, add spices, then cover and simmer for about 45 minutes until the water has boiled down a bit, and the elderberries seem quite soft.
Take off burner, and let cool.
Drain the juice off the berries (KEEP THE JUICE!! ditch the berries)
After the juice is totally cooled, add the 1 cup of raw honey, and store in the fridge!! :)
I keep mine in a cute little glass bottle :) It stays in the fridge for up to a year! Although my batch usually only lasts 2 months.
Questions?!
let me know!!
Cheers to healthy lives!
