Little Herbalists and Healthy Families
Little Herbalists and Healthy Families
This syrup is deliciously lip-smacking! It will help keep you and your family healthy and strong during cold and flu season. Take it as a prophylactic or for healing during illness. This syrup (and others like it) is often on our breakfast table where I serve it by the spoonful to my family.
Read MoreHave you heard of elder? Of the tasty flu fighting syrup made from its purple blue berries?
Of the fever healing properties from its lovely lacy cream colored flowers?
If you haven't you are in for a treat!
Sambucus nigra
The usefulness of elder as a source of medicine is amazing. Every part of the plant has medicinal actions with the flowers and berries being the most gentle and useful. Tea made from elder flower drunk hot helps to alleviate anxiety and restless at the onset of colds and flu while also helping the body to sweat and resolve the illness. It is specific for flu and upper respiratory issues as elder flowers assist the body in healing and relaxes spasms (coughs) in the lungs as well as assisting in removal of mucus. Studies have found elder berries to protect against the flu virus. We use elder berry syrup every year as a preventative. Elderberry also helps ease coughs and colds. Drinking elder berry tea is another delicious way to experience the benefits of this amazing plant.
Some cautions with elder: the seeds can irritate the digestive tract in some people. Only the blue elder berries (Sambucus nigra) should be used as the red ones are toxic. Elderberries are generally considered to be quite safe though they can be drying and irritating for folks suffering from migraines. The bark and roots are an emetic and therefore cause vomiting. If you have a reaction, stop taking it immediately.
Elderberry Day ~ Herbs for Kids ~
Elder by Brigitte Mars
Amanda from Natural Living Mamma
Katie from Nourishing Simplicity
Angela from Mama Rosemary.
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As a preschool teacher and a parent, I am always on the look out for ways to help kids learn about staying healthy during cold and flu season. So every year, just like I do at home, I make elderberry syrup with the kids at preschool.
Read MoreNature has blessed us with so much. Looking to Nature we can find a multitude of amazing plant allies that can help the whole family stay nourished and healthy during the winter months. A favorite is elder berry which has an extensive traditional use as a preventative for the flu and as a support during the flu. In fact modern research has found elderberries to be active against the flu virus. You can easily make a yummy syrup from elderberries to take on a regular basis during flu season. This is something that most kids really enjoy taking which is a major plus! If you don't want to make your own syrup a ready-made preparation of elderberry Sambucol can be purchased at most natural food stores. And if despite your best efforts, sickness should take hold, syrups can be used during a bout of the flu to hasten healing.
We make the following easy delicious recipe for syrup every year.
~ Elderberry Syrup ~
Directions: Simmer the elderberries and spices in 3 cups of water. Once the berries have softened smash up the berries and spices in the water. This is a fun part to have children help with. I use a potato masher and closely supervise my kids while the squish away to their hearts delight! Cook at a low boil for about a ½ hour or until the liquid reduces by one-half. Strain the mixture with a fine mesh strainer. Make sure to get all the seeds out, which can be somewhat irritating to the digestive tract. Return the liquid to the pot and add the honey. Heat until the honey just melts. Then bottle, label (include the date!) and refrigerate your new syrup. It will keep in the refrigerator for about three months. Take 2 to 3 teaspoons for adults and 1 teaspoon for children (ages 2 and up) 3 to 5 times a week as a prophylactic during flu season. If you do happen to get sick with a bout of the flu take the same dosage about four times per day. Only the blue elderberries (Sambucus nigra) should be used as the red ones are toxic. Elderberries are generally considered to be quite safe though they can be drying and irritating for folks suffering from migraines. If you have a reaction, stop taking it immediately.
Recipe and information from Brigitte Mars's Elder.
A highly knowledgeable herbalist, Brigitte Mars lovingly offers her treasure trove of information for us to all learn from. Her classes are lively, fun and interesting. Her books offer an extremely valuable resource to those wishing to study herbs and learn about healthy living.
The spices included in this recipe not only make it taste delicious but also help to warm the body, decrease inflammation and support healthy digestion. Other herbs can be added to this syrup to increase its protective properties. Rose hips are soothing and will provide nourishing vitamin C and bioflavonoids. Astragalus has long been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine as a tonic to the immune system particularly to prevent illness. However, this herb should not be used during illness as it can drive infection deeper into the body. So do not take astragalus during the flu or cold. A great herb for children’s health is lemon balm. This yummy plant is antibacterial and antiviral, while also calming the digestive and easing nervous energy. Add any of these herbs by the handful to the pot with the elderberries be sure to also add a little extra water during the simmering and a bit more honey.
Enjoy!
Note that this information is in no way meant to take the place of professional medical care. Please use common sense and see a doctor if you need one. See Healthy Use of This Information.
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Elderberry Day ~ Herbs for Kids ~
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Herbs for kids and families! Crafting, learning and projects for children, parents and teachers including herbal crafts. Also natural living ideas for healthy families.
