Have You Found Anything Else To Be Helpful In Dealing With Asthmatic Children
Daniele is a homeschooling Mama of five kiddos and a voracious reader of books. Passionate about her faith, home and family, she blogs about the intentional life over at Domestic Serenity and writes for other online and print publications. Daniele thinks life is more enjoyable with a cup of herbal tea in hand!
What Triggers Your Allergies
Think of pollen as little sea urchins floating up to your nasal passages and traveling into your body and invading it.Now your body is going to create soldiers to fight these invaders.When an allergen triggers the immune system, mast cells release histamines as part of the inflammatory immune reaction.Its this inflammation that gives you puffy, swollen eyes or a blistery skin rash.Most allergy medicine you take contain antihistamines.Antihistamines block or reduce your bodies ability to produce histamines, thus reducing your allergy symptoms.The truth is, you might not even have allergies, but your body might just be really good at creating soldiers to fight invaders.
However, none of this information helps you feel better during allergy season so what can you do now to relieve the symptoms?
How To Make Elderberry Syrup Cold & Flu Remedy
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Ingredients you will need: dried elderberries, water, raw apple cider vinegar, and honey.
Growing up I had terrible allergies and asthma, which always lead to me getting sick. I was constantly sick as a child. About once a month, I would have a horrible seasonal allergy issue, which would inevitably lead to a sinus infection, and then I would be given antibiotics.
When I first wrote this article nearly 5 years ago, I had just been to the allergist to find out what I was allergic to, and they told me if there was a prize for being the most allergic, I would win. Sad, right? Im pretty sure thats a trophy no one wants.
Constant allergies and illness have burdened my life for a long time. Thankfully, with diet changes and a switch to a more natural lifestyle, I rarely get sick now, and when it does happen, it doesnt last long.
When my family starts getting sick, we instantly make some of this elderberry syrup and start taking it. My family recently came down with a bug from traveling to visit my parents, of course, I got hit the hardest.
My mom got sick right about the same time. I think we all just shared our germs together true family love. We started our elderberry syrup she did not. She was sick for about two weeks, while we were sick for about 3-4 days.
You know what else? My mom even told me that every time she gets sick, it lasts about 2 weeks, and she couldnt believe how fast my family got over our illness.
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Is Elderberry Good For Thyroid
Indeed, elderberry may cause more damage and inflammation to the thyroid gland by supporting the immune cells that specifically attack your thyroid gland. However, elderberry may help to treat inflammation, curb pain, and ward off depression, which are symptoms that people with Hashimotos experience.
What Are The Health Benefits Associated With Elderberry Syrup
Elderberries are rich in nutrients that support the immune system. Theyre high in vitamin C, which Rothenberg says plays a key role in many systems of the body, including a balanced immune function, a healthy cardiovascular system and clear skin. Plus, elderberries are loaded with vitamin A, which is shown to regulate immune response, and flavonoids, a chemical found in plants, including anthocyanins, which give them their signature dark purple color. These antioxidants offer immune and anti-inflammatory benefits.
In addition to any immunity properties, elderberries aid digestion due to their high fiber count. Researchers have shown a strong connection between the gut and the immune system over time, as a certain diet can help keep your immunity in check as well.
A 2016 study published in the journal Nutrients found that elderberry supplements reduced the duration and severity of colds in air travelers. Other research has shown elderberry extract can help fight pathogenic bacteria and the flu virus. Elderberry may also lower cholesterol, Alschuler adds. There are quite a number of studies that have found elderberry to reduce symptoms caused by flu and cold infections, she says. The use of elderberry can shorten the duration of upper respiratory tract infections from common cold viruses.
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Proven To Be Effective Against Illnesses
It’s been proven in several studies that elderberry syrup can be used to reduce both the frequency and the length of existing respiratory infections. The elderberry syrup is efficient against viral infections such as the common cold or influenza A and B.
It seems to be efficient against sinusitis as well as reducing symptoms and speeding up recovery time.
The elderberry syrup can also help to strengthen the immune system.
Elderberry syrup is often used against flus, cough, cold, sinus infections, fevers, skin inflammation, allergies, ear and throat infections.
How Elderberries Have Improved My Health
Meanwhile, I was reading the label on the Maine Medicinals Elderberry syrup bottle and noticed that it stated that for intensive treatment you can take it up to 4 times a day. Thus, I took both products 4 times morning.lunchdinner and bedtime. The next morning, I woke up completely cured of all of my flu-like symptoms. I felt great, and had absolutely no symptoms of any kind. My brain fog was gone, my energy was back full-steam and I was ready to tackle my 12 hour work-day.
Knowing that flu season is just around the corner, I wanted to share this with you. I sure hope it will help you as it has me. There is a Way!
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How To Make Elderberry Syrup At Home Elderberry Syrup Recipe
There are different methods and recipes for making elderberry syrup. This syrup is basically prepared by crushing and cooking the berries. Then, strain the juice into a pot and cooking it until it thickens. Finally, you can add a sweetener such as sugar, glucose syrup, or honey to complete the process.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons fresh ginger root
- 1 cup raw honey
Preparation
- With the exception of the honey, put all the other ingredients in a pot and bring to a boil over low-medium heat.
- Reduce the heat and simmer for about 45 minutes to one hour.
- Stir occasionally, and while stirring, crush the elderberries using the back of your spoon.
- When the liquid thickens, remove the pot from the stove.
- Allow it to cool down for a few minutes, and using a sieve, strain the mixture.
- Add the honey into the warm mixture is warm, and stir until it dissolves. Pour the syrup into a sterilized sealed glass jar or bottle.
The syrup can be kept in the fridge for several weeks.
Take 1 tablespoon four times a day, or half the amount for children.
What To Look For
Elderberry-based medications are classified as dietary supplements by the Food and Drug Administration . Under this classification, they are not meant to be sold or marketed as a treatment for any medical condition. Because supplements are not required to undergo rigorous research or testing, they can vary significantly in quality.
To ensure quality and safety, only buy supplements that have been certified by an independent certifying body, such as the U.S. Pharmacopeia , NSF International, or ConsumerLab.
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Use Elderberry Syrup For No More Than 5 Days Straight
Despite the toxicity risk, allergies and other potential side-effect described it seems that consuming elderberry syrup have few side effects when used properly for short periods of time, up to five days.
Short-term use of elderberry extract preparations appears to be relatively safe however, long-term toxicity studies are lacking. Some say that you can take elderberry syrup up to 12 weeks and some even claims that you should take the syrup all year round.
But there are no research to back up that claim. Research seems to support a period of 5 days as relatively safe when consuming elderberry syrup. The research does not support longer use of elderberry syrup.
Is Elderberry Syrup Safe During Pregnancy Or While Breastfeeding
If youâre pregnant or breastfeeding, donât use elderberry syrup. The research of itâs safety is lacking, so take the safe side and stay away from it. Better safe than sorry.
Surveys indicate that many use elderberry syrup during pregnancy and breastfeeding. However, there is currently not enough scientific evidence one way or the other.
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How To Store Elderberry Syrup
Now that youve been hooked, you need to learn about how to store elderberry syrup! Its a good idea to always have a bottle on hand throughout the year to help with immunity, allergies, colds, and flu.
Like any other fruit juice it will start to ferment if left out for too long. Elderberry syrup, when stored in a glass jar in the fridge, will stay good for 3 months. You can also freeze it in ice cube trays to defrost as needed. Always be sure to shake the bottle well before giving a dose as the honey will gather at the bottom on the bottle.
Since Live Berry Wells elderberry syrup contains no preservatives, it is important to keep your syrup in the refrigerator. Learn more about the different types of elderberry syrup here.
Even though our elderberry syrup has raw unfiltered honey as a main ingredient, its a misconception that honey acts as a preservative. Honey, which is a preservative in its original state, ferments once its diluted. So, by adding honey to our elderberry syrup we void the preservative nature, trading it for sweetness and immunity boosting benefits.
What Is Elderberry Syrup Good For Does It Really Work
One of the more popular and well-known forms of consuming elderberries is in the form of elderberry syrup.
When it comes to alleviating symptoms from colds, flu and upper respiratory issues, elderberry syrup is very popular.
Elderberry syrup has been used for centuries to cure and treat a variety of illnesses and disorders.
There’s a lot of research about this popular syrup which seems to rise more and more in popularity.
Does the research support what people seem to already believe that it’s almost a miracle medicine?
I’m wondering if some of the popularity comes from a mistrust of conventional medicine?
Just because a remedy is natural, doesn’t automatically mean that it’s safe. You need to be aware of what you eat and why.
I mean, you can’t just dismiss the fact that Elderberries are toxic. You have to take that into consideration!
In this article we dig deeper into the research made on elderberry syrup.
If you’re curious about if it really works, yes, elderberry syrup works but you have to use it in moderation. Read on to learn more about how to properly use it for your benefit.
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Top 10 Allergy Remedies #4 Neti Pot
A neti pot is a container designed to rinse debris or mucus from your nasal cavity. Many people with sinus symptoms from allergies and environmental irritants also have begun to regularly use the Neti Pot or other nasal irrigation devices, claiming that these devices alleviate congestion, and facial pain and pressure.Research backs up these claims, finding that nasal irrigation can be an effective way to relieve sinus symptoms when used along with standard sinus treatments.For some people, nasal irrigation may bring relief of sinus symptoms without the use of medications.
A neti pot is a simple device that looks like a small teapot. Warm, sterile water is mixed with pure salt in the pot. While tilting your head slightly to one side, place the spout in your nostril on top and let the saline solution drain through your bottom nostril.
May Interact With Certain Drugs
Elderberry may lower your blood sugar, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. If you take diabetes medication to control your blood sugar, elderberry may increase the effectiveness, causing low blood sugar, or hypoglycemia. Elderberry acts as a diuretic and may increase your risk for dehydration if you’re currently taking diuretic medication. The berry may also interact with laxatives, chemotherapy drugs, immunosuppressive and the asthma medication theophylline. Elderberry may interact with other medications not listed. Talk to your doctor before taking elderberry if you’ve been prescribed medication.
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Boosts Immune System Response
Another effect that elderberry can have on the body is increasing the ability of the immune system to respond to cold and flu viruses. It can have this effect because it encourages the cells to produce more immune system messenger chemicals called cytokines. The increase in these chemicals helps the immune system fight viruses in 2 ways: They provide the immune system with faster notification of the infection, allowing it to attack the virus earlier. Also, the greater number of cytokines produced gives the immune system a better idea of where in the body the virus is. This allows the body to focus its disease-fighting resources more effectively.
Health Risks And Side Effects
While elderberry has some promising potential benefits, there are also some dangers associated with its consumption.
The bark, unripe berries, and seeds contain small amounts of substances known as lectins, which can cause stomach problems if too much is eaten .
In addition, the elderberry plant contains substances called cyanogenic glycosides, which can release cyanide in some circumstances. This is a toxin also found in apricot seeds and almonds .
There are 3 mg of cyanide per 100 grams of fresh berries and 3â17 mg per 100 grams of fresh leaves. This is just 3% of the estimated fatal dose for a 130-pound person .
However, commercial preparations and cooked berries do not contain cyanide, so there are no reports of fatalities from eating these. Symptoms of eating uncooked berries, leaves, bark, or roots of the elderberry include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea .
There is one report of eight people falling ill after drinking the juice from freshly picked berries, including the leaves and branches, from the S. mexicana elder variety. They experienced nausea, vomiting, weakness, dizziness, numbness, and stupor .
Luckily, toxic substances found in the berries can be safely removed by cooking. However, the branches, bark, or leaves should not be used in cooking or juicing .
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Dont Skip Your Flu Shot
The CDC estimates that the flu was associated with more than 35.5 million illnesses, more than 16.5 million medical visits, around 490,600 hospitalizations and close to 34,200 deaths during the 20182019 influenza season.
While no medicines can completely cure the flu, Dr. Macknin says the flu vaccine is the best defense against it. Its also critical for stopping the spread of this illness throughout our communities.
Elderberry Syrup Dosage For Adults
Adults can take 1 tablespoon daily for five days straight. If you are feeling sick or have the flu, increase dosage to 1 tablespoon every 3-4 hours up to 4 times per day, but not longer than five days.
For sore throat treatment, use recommended daily dosage.
You can find several elderberry syrups for sale online. There is one brand that’s very popular with a lot of customer reviews. I recommend you check it out here if you are interested of buying or just curious of what other people think of#ad. For images and prices including availability in Amazon markets please go to our recommended page.
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Medicinal Uses Of Elderberry
Different parts of the elderberry plant have traditionally been used for the prevention and treatment of numerous medical conditions and ailments. The berries and flowers are rich in flavonoids, antioxidants, and vitamin C, and they can be of great help when it comes to the prevention and treatment of certain medical conditions such as painful sensations, congestion, swelling, decreased urine production and inflammatory conditions.
Elderberry also has very potent diaphoretic properties. Elderberry bark is known for its powerful diuretic and laxative properties, and because of this, it can be used for the induction of vomiting.
Elderberry juice can be used to reduce or alleviate certain types of symptoms which are usually associated with influenza and other upper respiratory conditions. The symptoms elderberry juice is said to help with include fever, body aches, sore throat, and headaches. Elderberry is also very efficient in reducing the excessive secretion of sinus mucus, which is always associated bacterial sinusitis. Sinus infections can, according to some, be treated with elderberry.
Elderberry-based herbal products are available on the market which can be used for the treatment of bronchitis. Elderberry juice can also be of great help when it comes to decreasing the levels of bad cholesterol in the blood and increasing the levels of good cholesterol in the blood.
Natural Eye Drop Recipe
- First, boil the eyedropper in water to sanitize it.
- Add 1 cup of distilled organic water into a clean pan. Into the water,
- Add ¼ tsp of salt and a pinch of baking soda.
- Mix well
- Boil for a minute to sterilize the mixture.
- Allow the mixture to cool completely before using. Be careful because you dont want to injure your eyes with a mixture that is too hot.
- When the solution is cool, use the sterilized eye dropper and add two drops to each affected eye.
- Store the eye-drop mixture in a clean and sterilized container.
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Elderberry Syrup Sticking Around As Cold Allergy Remedy
There are hundreds of brands of cough syrup flying off the shelves during this tough flu season. But how did people treat flu, colds and allergies before pharmaceuticals came along? With natural remedies.
Ali Peifer wants to return to some of those treatments.
In 2015, Peifer heard about elderberry syrup and its healing powers. She was amazed by what she learned.
My daughter, Remington, became very sick, and the illness compromised her immune system, Peifer said. I had heard about elderberry syrup and decided to give it try. I witnessed firsthand the healing powers of the syrup as Remy regained her strength, energy and eating habits.
Peifer began making her own, and in 2015 she launched her brand: Old Wives Tales Organic Black Elderberry Syrup. She is doing something right because she cannot make it fast enough to keep it in stock at the pharmacies where it’s sold.
I use only organic products. The ingredients include distilled water, organic elderberries, raw honey, organic cloves, organic ginger, and organic cinnamon,” Peifer said.
“The elderberries are thoroughly cooked down in the distilled water to become a juice. This usually takes 90 minutes. Then I strain it and the other ingredients are added.
So much of our knowledge of the medicinal powers of foods, herbs and spices has been lost over the years. Peifer gave some examples.
In recent years, more people have turned to organic products, and Peifer believes that movement will continue to grow.
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