Benefits of Elderberry: Why it’s really good for you
Colds and flu are party poopers especially for kids and parents like you. They stop you from doing the usual things you do with the same liveliness. The kids can’t play, meet with their friends, or just simply feel normal. And when your kids feel a little under the weather, it can also be rough for you as a parent. You know very well how hard it is to see your kids not feeling good, even though it’s just a common cold or mild case of flu.  Â
Fortunately, nature has been very giving when it comes to remedies to help avoid minor illnesses or at least ease up the symptoms if ever you catch one.
One superfood, although not widely known, has been used for centuries in folk traditions as natural medication for flu and colds: the elderberries.
What is Elderberry?
Elderberries are purple berries from the sambucus nigra plant which are considered to be a potent natural remedy for diseases. These herbal wonders date back to the time of Hippocrates and people drank or ate elderberries for cold, flu, and other minor illnesses. It was also used as a go-to pick-me-up and nutritional boost during that time.
While elderberries are native to Europe, elderberries are also widely used in other parts of the world like in North Africa, America and parts of Asia for hundreds of years.
Historically, elderberries were made into a syrup that was used in medicinal practices like treating the flu, infections and others. And up until now, people are led to believe that these purple berries can heal minor illnesses and boost your immune system because it contains potent amounts of antioxidants.
Health Benefits of Elderberries
Can Help Boost Your Immune System
As mentioned, elderberries are rich in antioxidants that can help strengthen one’s immune system. It also contains vitamins A, B, and C that can help you fight off infections. It’s also believed that elderberries can reduce the length and severity of common illnesses like fever, headaches and runny noses.
Can Help Reduce Inflammation
This superfood also contains different “bioactives” like tannins and flavonoids. These compounds are anti-inflammatory that can help prevent the onset of cellular damage or reduce the inflammation that’s occurring on your skin.
May Benefit Your Heart Health
Studies have suggested that the flavonoids found in elderberries can also help reduce blood pressure and prevent the progression of a heart disease. In addition to that, elderberries are also rich in fibre, with approximately 10g. Fibre, as you may know, can help improve digestion and reduce the risk of colon cancer.
Make Your Own Elderberry Syrup
Elderberries are often taken as a syrup, and it could be the best and easiest way to make the most of the benefits of this superfood.
You might be wondering where to buy elderberry syrup. We’re sure that there are several natural elderberry syrups available online and in other health stores. But if we were in your shoes, you might be better off making your own. Not only that you’ll be able to make the flavor based on your kids’ preference, but you’ll be able to make more syrup, too, at a much cheaper cost. Most importantly, nothing really beats home-made!
Are you ready to create your own healthy mix? Below is the recipe we whipped up just for you!
Elderberry Syrup Recipe
Here is an easy Elderberry syrup recipe made with Superfoods Australia’s Elderberries, raw honey and spices that make a super tasty and immune-boosting syrup. You can eat it with yogurt, pancakes, waffles, toast, smoothies or other recipes.
Preparation Info
Preparation Time: around 6 mins
Time to cook: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 20 mins
Amount of servings: 3 cups
Total Calories: 9kcal
Ingredients
5 cups water
1.5 cups raw honey
1.5 tsp cinnamon
1 cup Freeze Dried Elderberry Powder
3 Tablespoons of grated ginger
2/3 tsp ground cloves
Instructions
1. Mix five cups of water, Freeze Dried Elderberry Powder, grated ginger, cinnamon powder, and cloves into a medium saucepan.
2. Boil the mixture in the sauce pan then reduce the liquid by about half by covering and simmering it for about 45 minutes to an hour.
3. Remove the saucepan from the heat and allow it to cool until the pan can be touched with bare hands.
4. Use a strainer to strain the mixture into a mason jar or glass bowl.
5. Put whatever’s left in the strainer to your compost.
6. Add the honey and mix it well when the mixture is still warm. This temperature will help the honey to mix well with your mixture.
7. After the honey is stirred well into the elderberry solution, pour the final product into a mason jar or bottle if you use a bowl.
And voila! In just seven easy steps, you’ve procured your own healthy flavored elderberry syrup! Easy, right?
Use your homemade elderberry syrup 5 days a week in the morning to get you going and keep your immune system firing. Refrigerate the mixture or keep a month’s supply in the fridge and the rest in the freezer.
Suggested Use
0.5 - 1 teaspoon for kids and 0.5 - 1 tablespoon for adults.
Nutrition
Serving: 1tsp | Calories: 6kcal | Carbohydrates: 1.7g | Fiber: 0.1g | Sugar: 1.5g
Elderberries are really underrated superfoods. They can grow in shrubs along the roads, although rarely, or at the back of your yard and you won’t even notice. Who would have thought that a berry in such a cute size actually packs a number of vitamins, antioxidants and other healthy compounds?
Don’t wait until you or your kids get a little under the weather again. Get a hold of this superfood right now and make your own syrup!
Good thing it’s now easier to add an elderberry flavor to your diet. At Superfoods Australia, you can order your Freeze-Dried Elderberry Powder. It’s 100% natural and doesn’t contain any additives such as sugars, acids, colorant, and preservatives. Yes, not even a hint! Our Freeze-Dried Elderberry Powder is certified organic and safe from pesticides, herbicides, heavy metals, irradiation, allergens (100% free), and GMOs.
Don’t wait for eternity and order here!
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