With the change of the seasons, now is the time to make sure your immune system is in tip-top shape. Here are a couple of simple ways to give your immune system a much-needed boost along with a free recipe download to try!
Elderberry Syrup
Elderberries used in syrup preparations are a popular remedy in traditional medicine. Taking elderberry syrup at the first sign of a cold or flu infection could help prevent the infection from developing. A placebo-controlled, double-blind study showed that 93.3% of flu patients given Sambucol (a formulation of elderberry extract) were completely symptom-free within two days.
The rich content of vitamin C in elderberry means that elderberry helps improve your immunity and prevent infection.
Researchers from the Cleveland Clinic report that syrups made from elderberries boost the body’s immunity. This means that taking elderberry supplements can help to prevent a cold or flu infection from getting worse. To help keep your immune system strong, doctors recommend taking elderberry along with vitamin C, B6, and E.
Another reason why elderberry syrup and supplements are good for your health is due to the number of antioxidants. Research has revealed that there over 70 different compounds in elderberries that kill off free radicals. Wow!
Read to the bottom for a recipe and make it fresh yourself!
Unprocessed, Organic Raw Honey
The image here is some of the beautiful raw honey from our families hives over the last few years. Did you know that real honey doesn't ever expire? How cool is that?!?Raw honey is honey that has not been heated or pasteurized. It contains natural vitamins, enzymes, powerful antioxidants, and other important nutrients. The best part - raw honey has natural antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal properties - and it promotes digestive health. What's not to love about that?
Another benefit of raw, local honey is that it contains local pollen, which can strengthen your immune system, and even helps reduce pollen allergy symptoms. Honey really is a powerhouse.
Added bonus - you need raw honey for that Elderberry Syrup recipe coming up!
This is a great article about reasons to buy raw local honey. Looking for raw honey? Check out these guys for incredible honey, or check out the farmers market or local co-op in your area to find local to you.
Dietary Essential Oils
Crafted in the spirit of that legendary combination, Young Living’s one-of-a-kind Thieves essential oil blend can be found in all our Thieves products. Featuring Clove oil, Cinnamon Bark oil, Eucalyptus Radiata oil, Rosemary oil, and Lemon oil. Thieves gives a spicy, welcoming aroma everywhere it’s used.
The Vitality or dietary version of this oil is amazing as an immune-boosting powerhouse that can be used internally. It's an essential oil that the FDA has approved as GRAS, or Generally Regarded as Safe for internal consumption.
The Thieves Vitality is in that elderberry syrup recipe coming up!
Wolfberries
Most people know about antioxidants, if not, antioxidants are substances that may protect your cells against free radicals, which may play a role in heart disease, cancer, and other diseases. So in discussing your immune system and helping your body fight off illness, antioxidants help support this process! You know how they say – eat blueberries or pomegranate juice because it’s high in antioxidants? How do we measure the antioxidant value of food? With what’s called the ORAC scale. Blueberries have an ORAC score of 9621. Pomegranate is scored at 10,500. Elderberries are even higher at 14,697, wow! Are you ready to have your mind blown? Ningxia Wolfberries have an ORAC score of over 30,000!
Time to make some syrup, are you ready?
Elderberry + Wolfberry Super Syrup Recipe
YIELD: 3 Cups TIME: 45 Minutes
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup Elderberries
- 1/2 cup Young Living (YL) NingXia Wolfberries
- 4 cups filtered water
- 1 cup raw honey
- 1 drop YL Lemon Vitality essential oil
- 1 drop YL Orange Vitality essential oil
- 1 drop YL Thieves Vitality essential oil
- 1 drop YL Copaiba Vitality essential oil
Directions:
Add wolfberries, elderberries, and water to Instant Pot. Cover and set manual time for 7 minutes and then use the quick release. Next, select sauté on the Instant Pot to continue to cook and reduce liquid by half (about 15-20 minutes). Yield will be about 2 cups at this point.
Remove from heat and let cool until it is cool enough to be handled. Pour through a strainer into a blender and let cool to room temperature. Discard the elderberries (note, if you choose to mash them it may result in very bitter syrup).
When it is no longer hot, add honey and pulse blend to combine well and not over-aerate. Yield should now be about 3 cups. Add essential oils and briefly pulse. Bottle and store in the fridge in a glass container for up to one month.
Suggested Use:
Adults take 1 Tbsp per day during seasons of concern. Increase to every 2-3 hours when you need an extra boost. Children 1-9 years take 1/2 - 1 tsp per day. Not recommended for children under 1 year.
Adapted from Lindsey Gremont at HomemadeMommy.net
Download and print this recipe to add your collection: Elderberry + Wolfberry Super Syrup Recipe.pdf
Did you enjoy this info? You'll LOVE my guide on simple ways to eliminate harmful fragrances from your home, it can be so simple! Check it out right HERE.
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Information courtesy of Echo Schneider
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