diy holistic health: part three
This is the final part of the diy holistic health series, and today we’re focusing on homemade immune support!
Let me start by acknowledging the fact that you can purchase elderberry at the store and move along with your day. I’ve done that, and to be honest this is the first time I’ve made elderberry syrup and now I’m not sure I’ll ever go back to store-bought.
Elderberry syrup was one of the first holistic immune supportive tools I brought into my life. There was a time when I didn’t do anything to prevent getting sick during cold and flu season. I was always living in a reactive state instead of a proactive state, but I hated being sick. I mean who doesn’t, right? When I learned that elderberry was a potent cold prevention and remedy, I immediately went to find some for the winter months. I was a nurse at the time and wanted to know all the ways to prevent myself from getting sick when I was taking care of sick patients.
Elderberries are high in vitamin C and antioxidants making them a great tool to decrease inflammation, boost the immune system, and prevent or lessen the severity of a cold.
In a 2004 study of 60 people with influenza, it was found that those “who took 15 ml of elderberry syrup four times per day showed symptom improvement in 2 to 4 days, while the control group took 7 to 8 days to improve”.
Why take Tamiflu or other over-the-counter drugs that could cause side effects or not even support your body, when you have another natural option that the body can use more efficiently?!
The problem is that most elderberry syrups in the store are filled with added processed sugars, which feed the bad bacteria in your gut microbiome, creating more inflammation and weakened immune health. It’s hard to find them with clean ingredients that are only sweetened with raw honey, and before you ask… don’t even bother with the gummies. When buying store bought or online, check the ingredient label and try to stay away from ones that have fructose, dextrose, natural flavor, or dyes.
This is why I’m inspired to make and use holistic tools whenever possible! Something special happens when you make your own tools and can rely more on yourself to heal. Not to mention, making one batch at home produced 6 full cups!
A standard 4 oz bottle at the grocery stores costs just as much (if not more in some cases) than making a batch more than tripled the size at home.
So not only can you control the ingredients but you’re also making more and saving money - can I get a YAY for diy holistic health!?
You can find dried elderberries at a natural wellness or herb store, and usually, they have a kit all packaged up and ready for you to take home and make.
If they don’t, here’s the recipe:
2 cups dried elderberries
6 cups water
2 cinnamon sticks
2 teaspoons dried cloves
2 teaspoons dried ginger
½ to 1 cup raw honey or to taste
optional - add star anise
Add all the ingredients except the honey to the water and bring the water to a boil, then cover with a lid and simmer on low for an hour. Take off the heat and let cool until it stops steaming. Strain the mixture (I like to use a cheesecloth so that I can squeeze the remaining liquid out of the berries) and then add the honey while the syrup is still warm. Add to a glass vessel and keep refrigerated!
After this series, you have the option to diy a holistic medicine cabinet, gut nourishment with whole foods and natural ingredients, and now immune support. There is something special about being able to make your own natural remedies and holistic tools. The energy you put into creating these options makes more of an impact on your body than you can even imagine. You get to connect with the ingredients, get present, feel empowered, and learn skills you can use for the rest of your life.
Watch my latest reel making the elderberry syrup and tag me when you make yours! @carlymiceli