Lo and behold Flu season is upon us. No one wants that miserable feeling that a Flu Virus so graciously brings to our otherwise happy life. So, many of us will rush down to our doctor, clinic or even our neighborhood pharmacy and get that “easy as pie” flu shot. My, oh my how convenient it is for us now a days to get that much heralded protection. As for me, I have never had one and unless hog tied to a chair I never will. That is why I am going to share with you my favorite Herbal Medicinal Syrup at the end of this article. Foregoing the Flu vaccine of course is my choice and may not be what you agree with. But if you want to be more informed about vaccines and their ingredients, visit the wonderful site of the National Vaccine Information Center. You will be doing yourself and your loved ones a favor by doing so and actually seeing a breakdown of ingredients that are in the many vaccines being given to all of us.
I personally just do not like all the toxins and crap that are part of vaccines. I would much rather know that what I am being given or what I decide to take is all natural and that I am familiar with ALL ingredients. After all, who came first….God or pharmaceutical scientists? I will put my faith of healing and health into the natural intelligence of Nature before I trust in man-made so-called medicine.
So what would I, a lowly layperson, do to protect myself from the Flu? I am glad you asked me that very important question. I would make up some fabulous but very effective Elderberry Syrup to fight off any Flu virus that may enter into my body with devilish intentions. In fact, I have done so many times after I “caught” (for lack of a better term) the Flu. This seems to bring about much relief of the symptoms AND a speedier recovery time. I have also used it pro-actively during Flu season and have evaded the dreaded scourge while others around me became sick with the virus. Many of them even AFTER receiving the shot! It goes to show that the marketing of the shots work a lot better than the shot itself! Go figure….
How does a virus attack our bodies and how does Elderberry work to fight off the virus? I shall try to explain but let me prepare you for one thing. I, as always, try to keep all my information in simple terms. I hope that by doing so you will be able to not be snowballed and will leave from here (here being this blog posting) with the ability to easily understand this amazing Elderberry formula I will post in this blog.
A virus must find a host with suitable conditions to be able to survive and flourish with replication. To do so, the virus must attach to a healthy cell and then get inside the cell turning it into a host cell. Once inside the healthy cell, the virus will very quickly multiply thus overwhelming and killing the cell. Once the cell is destroyed, the viruses will rupture the wall of the cell. Then millions of viruses will be deposited into the bloodstream and from there they will attack numerous cells and the process will be repeated. If the host person has a weak immune system the Flu Virus is extremely hard to fight off and the Flu and its awful symptoms will linger for days and possibly weeks. But, if the virus is not able to attach to and then pass into the walls of the cell, it cannot replicate and then the Flu virus will die off.
So how does Elderberry help to halt or deny the virus from replicating? First you should know that the Elderberry, like all things in Nature, is a miraculous creation that is more complex than just looking good and being yummy. Elderberries have for centuries been used in making wine, jams, syrups and many more concoctions that ignite the taste buds and happy receptors in our brains. For starters, it is loaded with many important properties. It is loaded with certain vitamins, flavonoids and has antioxidant properties which help control free radicals. These are just a few awesome traits of Elderberries. If you don’t know what some of this means, just know that it supports healthy conditions in many areas.
Possibly the biggest “health supporting” thing about the Elderberry; its antiviral properties! It is this amazing property that puts the Elderberry into fighting mode when it comes into contact with an invading virus. The Elderberry has the ability to block the virus from attaching to the host cells. If the virus cannot attach to a host cell and eventually invade it, then it cannot flourish and replicate which brings about the death of the virus. This is the simple and easy version of a very multifaceted and complex action/reaction that takes place inside the attacked body. The Elderberry also has an effect of boosting and activating the immune system.
Is this a cure all for Flu Viruses? Absolutely not. To begin with the only thing that can cure any dis-ease is your body. It has to find and maintain a state of healthy balance and of a strong immune system. Herbs tend to help the body in doing so thus bringing about healing. Also, the effect it has can range from keeping the Flu away and/or bringing about a quicker resolution of the aches, pains and symptoms associated with Flu. So if you can, I would recommend using it as a daily or at least a few times a week during Flu season as a preventive. If you do come down with the Flu, then mix up some of this wonderful and tasty syrup and bring it under control while relieving the symptoms!!!
Here is the formula I use. There are many, many variations being used and that’s OK. As I always say about holistic health care….just do it. Start somewhere and do it. However you feel comfortable in experiencing holistic health is how you should proceed. Doing something is better than doing nothing. Take control of your own health! The recipe I am posting here I believe came from a wonderful herbalist, John, at learningherbs.com. It has some variations to his but through my own trials this is the one I choose to use. It is wonderful and potent…enjoy!
Elderberry Syrup
I use 1/2 dried elderberries (if you use fresh or frozen just make it a cup)
2 cups water, 5 whole cloves, 1 cinnamon stick(sometimes I will also add 1 tsp of powder cinnamon along with stick, but try to get Saigon Cinnamon if you do that.)
1 Tbs. of grated fresh ginger
As always, it is best to utilize organic if possible.
I mix all these items into a pot (non-reactive) and bring it to a boil. Cut it down to a good simmer and cover it and let it simmer down to about 1/2 of the original liquid….I find it is usually about 20-30 minutes on the heat to do that.
You then strain the mixture but be careful. It is HOT! Add 1 cup of good local honey to mixture. Pour this into a glass jar and voila….you have very strong and effective medicinal syrup.
You can take 1 TBS of syrup every 2-3 hours if desired. Or if using proactively just once or twice a day is fine in many cases. It is sweet because of the wonderful honey content but it is also yummy. Be sure to keep it refrigerated and it should be good for anywhere from 2-3 weeks. I have actually had some longer that worked just fine. Shake it up good before each use. It is also safe for children just cut the dose down some.
What the difference between a bacteria and a virus? A virus actually attacks and breaks down your cell walls with barbs then invades the cells. Where in a bacterial infection does not invade into your cells. Elderberry has the magnificent action of destroying the barbs and protecting your cell walls….you gotta love the perfection of nature!!
