How to make Elderberry Syrup at Home

Okay guys, this is so easy! I think the hardest part is searching for organic elderberries and raw honey. Also, you’ll notice if you do this that elderberries are sold out all over the place due to this crazy flu season. So get to it now and you’ll have a supply that’ll carry you through these cold and sick months, which around here seems to last through April.

If you’re not sure why you might want to make this for your family, go here to read all about elderberries and their history with health and wellness.

You need to purchase Elderberries in bulk and can do so at Mountain Rose Herbs and Oregon’s Wild Harvest, you might check out the syrups they have as well if not yet ready to make your own. When shopping, look for certified organic berries. I believe it is counterproductive if you use conventional berries, no point in putting pesticides and chemicals in your body if you’re trying to build up your immune system!

We just pulled our latest batch off the stove last night. Here’s what you need to do.

• Place 1/2 cup of dried elderberries and 3 cups of water on the stove and bring to a boil.
• Simmer for 30 minutes, remove from stove and allow to cool.
• Strain liquid into storage container, add 1/2 to 1 cup of raw, local honey. Stir to combine.

Using raw and local honey will best support your immune system. Stirring in the honey after cooling will allow the honey to retain the natural enzymes (otherwise, you’ve just got sugar). Here’s all you ever wanted to know about why honey’s enzymes are important.

I will say, it does smell a bit medicinal in your house, but that’s good right? And our toddler has no problem taking this every day with his course of vitamins and probiotics. He definitely likes the store-bought kids version better (it’s much like candy, which makes me question it’s validity) but after we explain to him how it works with his body, he takes it no problem. Then he proceeds to put water in his glass, swirl it around and then drink it up to “get it all out,” he says.

Now I’m ready to start making more and thinking about good additions. Ginger, turmeric, cinnamon? I’ll let you know how it goes!

Elderberry, Use It to Fight the Flu!

I’m sure during this intense flu season you’ve heard all the hype about Elderberry, Sambucus, Sambucol or maybe it was even called Black Elder. I know in our town people have been scrambling to buy it when someone they love has been diagnosed with the flu and they are having a hard time finding it. I get mine delivered by Amazon every month because we take it every day for preventative measures. But it is pretty simple to make and much cheaper too!

First, in case you are new to Elderberry here is some evidence that might sway you to jump on board the tried-and-true method of using Elderberry to fight the flu. Elderberry has been in known use since 400 BC by Hippocrates. From the 19th century all the way back to the Middle Ages Americans and Europeans used this berry for multiple ailments including a treatment for the flu. When modern medicine became prevalent Elderberry was somewhat lost as a way to treat the flu, but in the 90s researchers in Israel began experimenting and quickly realized the berries can stop the flu virus from replicating inside the body. They used it in 1993 when a major flu outbreak happened. The group they gave the Elderberry to recovered from the flu in three days and the others not taking Elderberry took six days to be symptom-free.

Another study was done during 1999 to 2000 in Norway. Sixty people were either given Elderberry or a placebo. The Elderberry group were well an average of four days more quickly than the placebo group. In 2007 scientists had excellent results giving Elderberry to adults and children who recovered within an average of two days, unlike the control group who were finally recovering after six days. Scientists believe the Elderberry doesn’t actually kill the virus, but boosts your own immunity so the body can fight it. I personally have used elderberry to combat the flu when my son had it. He only had fever for two days and I believe I can attribute that to the intense Elderberry treatment. My husband, who did not take the elderberry, had fever for five days and could barely move for about seven.

When you see the cost of store-bought Sambuca (Elderberry syrup), one of your first thoughts might be, can I make this myself? Yes! and it is so simple. Go here to read all about how we do it.

 

Tablerock Creek Heal Synergy Blend

In the past I had no problem reaching for the triple antibiotic ointment out of the first aid kit. I always had it readily available and used it regularly. Now, after lots of reading about the overuse of antibiotics and known carcinogen, petrolatum, in cosmetics and products like Neosporin® and Aquaphor®, I reach for our roller bottle Heal. It contains lavender, tea tree and fractionated coconut oil, all are antibacterial. While Lavender is also antiviral and tea tree is antifungal. Why our “normal” has gotten so far away from nature’s cures is a whole different story, but it has and we are on a mission to get back to the natural gifts God gave us.

At our house I don’t even have to tell the kids to get the Heal roller bottle. They can get it themselves and do this regularly. Any scratch, scrape, bruise, sting, pimple, rash, minor burn, or any other skin ailment is a reason to use Heal. A couple days of use and whatever was troubling them seems to be long forgotten. Sometimes my son would rather roll it on a Band-Aid first rather than directly on his skin and that works great as well.

Another terrific use for Heal is anything cold or respiratory related. The roller bottle can be applied directly on the throat or chest and rubbed in to help loosen mucous by relaxing the bronchiole passageways and aids the body in fighting anything viral or bacterial. We can also provide the Heal blend in a 5ml bottle to use in the diffuser for illnesses related to the respiratory system.

Right now I’m experimenting with Heal at night on my cuticles. My aunt recently cut her thumb pretty badly and noticed not only how fast her cut healed, but the cuticle on her thumb looked the healthiest out of all her others. I told her that I would need to try this as well, because even though I love to be pampered with manicures and pedicures I just can’t justify spending the time or money on them right now!

If you are interested in getting back to nature to cure your family’s ailments and ditch those petroleum-based products this is a simple solution. You can read about known carcinogens found in American products here , while these same products are banned in the European Union, Canada, China and other countries around the world! We can’t help but be excited to see other families ban the chemicals from their homes and would love to help you get started.

Melaleuca, Also Known as Tea Tree

If there is a workhorse of oils, I would say it is Tea Tree or Melaleuca. Tea Tree is great for cleaning, air freshener, hand sanitizer and hand soap. Its antifungal and antimicrobial properties make it a gentle, but very effective oil for your first aid kit. The first documented uses of tea tree were in 1923 by Australian scientist Dr. A. R. Penfold. By the 40’s it was so valuable the producers and cutters were not forced to go in the military during World War II until there was enough tea tree to supply all personnel tea tree in their first aid kits. It is a medicinal smelling oil used for all things antibacterial, antifungal, antiseptic, antiviral, decongestant, immune-boosting and healer of external wounds.

While creating our synergy blend, Heal, we could not leave out tea tree. It is irreplaceable for the healing of bacterial skin infections, parasitic skin infections, wounds, ulcerations, acne, abscesses, minor burns and scalds, diaper rash, fungal infections, athlete’s foot and warts including plantar warts. If you have children, are accident-prone, work outside a lot or use triple antibiotic ointment regularly you can replace it with our Heal oil. It is very rare that we ever use anything but Heal in our house for every scrape, bug bite, scratch or pimple. While antibiotics have their place, (they saved my life,) the regular use of them can make them less effective when you may need them most.

Despite being fantastic for anything skin-related, tea tree is also wonderful to use for anything cold-related, as it stimulates the immune system, helps loosen and remove mucus, and can stimulate heavy sweating to reduce fevers. Some common ailments tea tree benefits are: respiratory tract infections, sinusitis, rhinitis, laryngitis and bronchitis. It works great in the diffuser so your lungs can directly receive the healing properties of tea tree. You can also use the Heal roller across your cheekbones and chest to distribute the healing benefits through your bloodstream. This oil is safe to use for anyone 3 months old and up. Of course you always need to dilute any essential oil more with babies and children.

Nobody likes to talk about lice, but if you have kids in school you know that you have to talk about it! Keep these nasty parasites away by adding a few drops of tea tree to your children’s shampoo. I even add it to my own because I am not taking any chances!

Tea tree, the work horse oil, should definitely have a place in every household. It is an extremely safe oil to use with children and adults alike. We use it every single day at our house and even as I write this I can think of a couple of new ways to use it now too!

Must Have Lavender

Oh lavender, this essential oil is my oldest and dearest favorite. I have enjoyed the aroma of this oil my entire life, while most of that time period I never knew all of the benefits I was receiving from this amazing oil. Gentle enough for babies 2 weeks old and up, this should be everyone’s must have oil. When in doubt, use lavender, you can never go wrong with it. Its uses span from the head all the way to the toes.

One of the most important aspects of lavender is its antiviral, antiseptic and antibiotic properties. It can be used for any form of head and chest colds. It loosens mucus and can be used in diffusers so the benefits reach the lungs, as a chest rub for bronchitis/chronic cough or even in a roller bottle to rub on sore throats. It is extremely safe for children and is one of the best oils to get them through cold season, unlike some commercial rubs that contain petroleum based products and eucalyptus which is only safe for children 9 years and up.

Another property of lavender is that it stimulates the growth of new cells. Because of this, it is a go to oil for a variety of things such as: acne, eczema, insect bites/stings, burns, sores and wounds. If you have a skin problem of any kind you can always safely use lavender as a solution. I use Tablerock Creek’s ‘Heal’ roller bottle on everything from mosquito bites, scrapes, blemishes and even bruises. It is a great replacement for triple antibiotic ointment.

Lastly, lavender is an excellent anti-inflammatory. You can get relief from pain and inflammation by using lavender in a massage blend for arthritis, muscular aches and pains, sciatica and muscular tension. The benefits of this oil for pain are enhanced when blended with other oils in a synergy which amplifies each of the oils properties for inflammation. Some oils to blend with lavender include but are not limited to: rosemary, sweet marjoram, helichrysum, roman chamomile and cypress.

If I had a bucket list, walking barefoot in a lavender field in the Alpes de Haute region of Provence, France would definitely be on it. I can imagine closing my eyes, feeling the sun on my face and breathing in the soft floral aroma of fresh lavender flowers. This smell reminds me of childhood and innocence and is an oil that is incorporated throughout each of my days for whatever is ailing me or my family at any given time. It truly is my go to oil.