*Bonus a TBSP of this also soothes sore throat and quiets cough*
This is one of my favorite herbal syrups to make. So easy and fun to do with the kids. Itโs a twist on your typical Elderberry Syrup with added Chinese Herbs for immune support.
Hereโs what you Need:
๐น ๐ฒ๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐
๐ท ๐ฒ๐๐ ๐ณ๐๐๐๐ ๐ด๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐ท.๐ป ๐๐๐๐ ๐ต๐๐๐๐
๐ท ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ฃ๐ ๐๐ ๐ถ๐๐๐๐๐ (๐๐๐๐๐๐)
๐ธ ๐๐๐๐ ๐ฐ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ (๐ธ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐) ๐ฒ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ at B๐๐๐ A๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ข ๐๐ M๐๐๐๐๐๐๐R๐๐๐ H๐๐๐๐
๐ท ๐พ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐พ๐๐๐๐๐
๐ท ๐ฒ๐๐ ๐ป๐๐๐๐ ๐ท๐๐๐๐ข
๐ผ ๐ณ๐๐๐๐ ๐ณ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐พ๐ ๐ถ๐๐๐๐ (๐พ๐ ๐ข๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐ฒ๐๐๐๐๐, ๐ฒ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐, ๐ด๐๐๐๐๐ข๐๐๐๐, ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ข ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐-๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐)
Add 3 Cups of water + Elderberries and Ginger
Simmer for 20 minutes
Then add in Astragalus + Orange Simmer for additional 20 minutes
Remove from heat until it is cool enough to be handled.
Strain and mash the herbs carefully using a spoon or other flat utensil.
Let the liquid cool down.
Add the honey and 6 drops of On Guard. (Stir well)
Pour the syrup into a glass bottle.
Ta-da! You just made homemade elderberry syrup! Store in the fridge and take daily for its immune boosting properties.
Also take a TBSP for sore throat.
Ingredients and their medicinal benefits:
Elderberry: Rich in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, this little berry is a power house for helping to fight off viruses and building immunity. One study of 60 people with influenza found that those who took 15 ml of elderberry syrup four times per day showed symptom improvement in two to four days, while the control group took seven to eight days to improve. Since Elderberries seem to boost immune function, people with Auto-immune diseases should caution the use of Elderberries as they may have a reaction to them. (1)
Astragalus: Also known as Huang Qi in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). This herb tonifies Qi (Chi) and blood and is used in many energy and immune boosting formulas. Astragalus has many purported healthbenefits, including immune-boosting, anti-aging and anti-inflammatory effects.Astragalusis believed to prolong life and used to treat a wide variety of ailments, such as fatigue, allergies and the common cold. It's also used against heart disease, diabetes and other conditions. (2)
Ginger: Warms the lungs, soothes sore throat, stops cough, and reduces nausea. Ginger is also believed to have antimicrobial properties that may help fight infections (bacterial or viral), including those that cause sore throats (3).
Orange Peel: Aka Chen Pi. Chen Pi is commonly used in Chinese Medicine to stop cough, open lungs, reduce phlegm, fullness, bloating, belching, nausea and vomiting. A very safe herb to help pediatrics with digestive issues as well. Bonus it makes this syrup taste amazing!
Honey: Holistic practitioners consider it one of nature's best all-around remedies. In Traditional Chinese Medicine we use honey to soothe the throat as well as to to fight off infections. Honey is known for its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Also the high acid content helps inhibit mold growth in the products which makes it a great addition to syrups to extend shelf life. (Never give honey to an infant under 1 years old. Instead, consult your healthcare provider for an appropriate alternative.) Local Wild Honey or Moneku Honey is best. Local Honey has local pollens which can help boost immunity to allergies that are specific to your area. Manuka Honey is a type of honey native to New Zealand. Itโs produced by bees who pollinate the flower Leptospermum scoparium, commonly known as the manuka bush. Manuka honeyโs antibacterial, antiviral, and antioxidant properties are what set it apart from traditional honey. Methylglyoxal is its active ingredient and likely responsible for these effects.
DoTerra OnGuard Ingredients: Can sub for whole ingredients vs Essential Oil. I just like to keep this on hand due to quality, log shelf life, and all the amazing herbs in it which have a wide variety of benefits. Wild Orange: See above with description about Orange Peel. DoTerra actually uses the Wild Orange Peel as their Essential Oil which has all the same benefits as we use in Chinese Medicine. Cloves: Warms the stomach and stops nausea.Cloves contain high amounts of antioxidants, which aid the immune system in fighting off oxidative damage and free radicals. Eugenol also has the ability to help ease infections and fight disease-causing bacteria in the body. Cinnamon Bark: aka Gui Zhi used in TCM to boost immunity, improves circulation, kick out the first signs of cold or flu, open the chest to assist with breathing and shortness of breath, and helps thin mucus. Cinnamon bark is used in many TCM formulas and has many health benefits especially when combined with other herbs. Eucalyptus: Most used for respiratory conditions. Helps open the lungs, reduces all types of cough, and treats viral and bacterial respiratory infections and throat infections. Findings published in the journal BMC Immunology suggest thateucalyptus oilmight also stimulate the innate immune system by enhancing our phagocytic response to pathogens. (4) Rosemary: Rosemary is a rich source of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds, which are thought to help boost the immune system and improve blood circulation. Laboratory studies have shown rosemary to be rich in antioxidants, which play an important role in neutralizing harmful particles called free radicals.(5) When taken internally rosemary may help support healthy respiratory function and to reduce nervous tension and occasional fatigue
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