Re-post.
Part Two of Four of Boosting Your Immune Series: Prevention
This recipe is part of a wellness protocol to help with the cold and flu virus season.
NOTE: No clinical studies of efficacy of the use of elderberry or any other supplement have been done for the CoVID-19 strains.
Always seek the advice of a medical professional before employing any protocol.
This first recipe address' the importance of supporting the immune system. The main functional food player here is the Elderberry with the addition of other helpful functional foods like orange peels,ginger, turmeric, pepper, cinnamon and unpasteurized honey (Manuka variety).
As a refresher, it is worth noting that colds are virus', the pathogen may be a rhinovirus or coronavirus which has a 24-72 hour incubation period. Influenza or flu has roughly the same incubation period, with the average being 2 days. Armed with this information, you can be proactive in your approach by boosting your immunity ahead of time. Hence, lessening the duration and severity. Start with this recipe!
Elderberry (Sambucus nigra variety)
Elderberry is cultivated mainly in Europe and Western Asia. It has been known to assist the body in resisting virus'. Elderberries have antiviral and immunoprotective pharmacological properties that help reduce the chances of the virus replicating and taking hold as well as reduce symptoms once a cold or flu has started. In other words, a prophylactic for virus'!
*** You can find Elderberry in a syrup form, capsules or lozenges at many health food
stores if you are not able to make your own.
Alternatively, you can make your own syrup. When making your own and using the "Elderberry and Spice Syrup" recipe be sure to source organic raw dried elderberries (Sambucus nigra) online or in health food stores. Do not consume the raw berries fresh or dried as they contain toxic cyanogenic glycosides. Cooking however, eliminates the toxin. If you are allergic to pollen, pregnant or lactating, have an immune, auto-immune condition or are on immunosuppressive drugs consult with your healthcare practitioner before use.
Orange Peels
Orange peels are used in this recipe because they are high in Vitamin C; orange peels help chase away mucus and ward off colds and flu with its antibacterial, anti fungal and antiviral properties. Orange peels also help with sluggish digestion and are effective for treating gas, bloating and nausea.
Cinnamon (Cassia)
Cinnamon is known for it's immunomodulating, antibacterial and antioxidant properties. It is also well known for its research on diabetes and insulin regulation.
Turmeric
Turmeric in the last few years has had significant attention for it's antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and cancer uses. Also been used for headaches, bronchitis, common cold, respiratory infections, fatigue and fever, among many other uses. The addition of pepper enhances the activity, delivery and absorption of the turmeric into the cells.
Ginger
Ginger is another spice that has been used medicinally to aid with nausea and digestion, but it also has beneficial effects on the upper respiratory tract infections, cough, bronchitis and treating stomachaches.
Honey (preference to Manuka)
Unpasteurized; used not only to sweeten but for it's antibacterial, antiviral, antimicrobial properties.
Also, these foods can be used in any combination in teas or adding to dishes; they are as effective on their own, taken regularly, as they are in this combination recipe.
Elderberry and Spice Syrup
Pre-prep Time: 15 minutes
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Ingredients:
3/4 cup of dried raw elderberries
1 1/2- 2 cups of water
2 tbsp of fresh ginger root, chopped
1 cinnamon stick, halved (or 1/2 tsp powdered)
1/8 tsp of ground pepper
1 tsp of ground turmeric
3 strips of fresh orange peel or dried, (half an orange)
1/2 cup of honey or to preference (up to one cup)
Preparation:
place elderberries, cinnamon stick (if using) in a medium sauce pan with the water, let soak for 15 minutes
turn heat to medium and bring to a boil. Once boiling is reached, reduce heat and bring to low simmer for 30 minutes until mixture is reduced to half.
once the liquid is reduced, mash and strain the berries, remove cinnamon stick, extracting as much juice as possible. Return juice to the saucepan. Discard pulp.
add remaining ingredients (including powdered cinnamon, if you did not use stick) with the exception of the honey and let simmer an additional 5 minutes, turn heat off.
when the mixture is warm not hot, add the honey
allow the honey to melt while stirring for 1-2 minutes.
let cool and pour syrup into a glass jar and store in the refrigerator for 7 days. Alternatively, you can freeze syrup in ice cube trays or other freezer friendly container for later use
Helpful Tips:
Suggested dosage is 1/2 tsp for children under between 5-12 years of age and 1 tablespoon for youths 13 and over and adults.
For prevention: take as per dosage, once every other day for two weeks when cold and flu is about.
For building immunity and shortening duration: take within 24-48 hours of onset of symptoms, as per dosage, 2-4x per day for 5 days.
The syrup can also be converted into gelatin "gummies" with the addition of a packet of gelatin (follow instructions on gelatin package and add after the addition of honey). This option is particularly helpful if you have children or for convenience and ease of use. Gelatin (if sourced organic or from grass fed animals enhances immunity through amino acids, particularly glycine (which has anti-inflammatory properties) and proline.
Additional Considerations and Supplements that help to bolster immunity:
Vitamin C
Vitamin D (ensuring you have adequate Magnesium intake to properly absorb the immune modulating properties of the hormone, Vitamin D)
Combination immune boosting supplements containing Vitamins A.C.E.S plus Zinc ( ie. Vitamins A, C, E with Selenium and Zinc)
Eating whole foods, unprocessed healthy foods: increasing fruit and vegetable intake; eating fresh, raw
Avoiding sugars
Adequate sleep
Adequate water intake
Reducing stress; employing strategies that increase time outdoors in fresh air, exercise, sunlight, meditative time all aid in reducing cortisol hormone release;
Reducing exposure to electronics in evenings, especially 1 hour prior to bed.
Blessings in health can be ignited with proper balance in every aspect of your life.
References:
http://abc.herbalgram.org/site/DocServer/Elderberry-scr.pdf?docID=165
https://naturalmedicines.therapeuticresearch.com/databases/food,-herbs-supplements/professional.aspx?productid=434#peopleUseThisFor
https://naturalmedicines.therapeuticresearch.com/databases/food,-herbs-supplements/professional.aspx?productid=1002
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18056558