Plant Medicine Summary: Elderberry

Elderberries are a MUST HAVE for your natural medicine cabinet. We LOVE Elderberry and use it all the time in syrups during cold season for our kids!
 
Brief History

Elder is one of the human race's oldest plant allies because it has been found in Stone Age sites. Elder was written of and used in the time of Hippocrates, Dioscorides, and through the centuries by many other ancient herbalists.
In Germany it was used as an ingredient in soups. Elder berries were listed in the official pharmacopoeias for a few years during the 19th century and the flowers for nearly a century long period, spanning the 19th and 20th centuries..

Until the end of the 19th century hot Elder berry wine was sold in the streets of London on cold nights and days to cheer travelers and workers. Cinnamon was often added to the wine to aid in the warming effects. Elder was used by the Native Americans in this continent had been using it for a long time also. Elder berries have been shown to have anti-viral qualities. There are extracts of Elder berries and/or flowers, and Elder berries combined with other herbs to help with the common cold and flu. These are available at herb stores everywhere.
www.herblegacy.com
 

How Do I Use It?

Our favorite way to use this is in syrup form, but you can also make a tea, tincture and glycerite with it. Whenever anyone starts to get the "sniffles", we will make Elderberry Syrup to give their immune system a boost and to keep from getting worse! Elderberry Syrup is our "Go-To" for our children!

Our Experience With It
"My 2 year old son would take this by the spoonfuls if I let him! The instant my kids have any sign of problems I always make Elderberry Syrup. The first year I used the Elderberry Syrup for my oldest boy. He had a tight cough and just wasn't improving with anything else we tried. After having him take the syrup faithfully for about 2-3 days, the congestion in his chest loosened, he was able to cough it all out and within 5 days of taking the syrup was out and playing like normal. He didn't get sick again all season long, I believe, from the way this helped to boost and support his immune system." - Andrea 

Few Properties of Elderberry

Anti viral = Defenses against viruses
Depurative = Helps cleanse waste products from our bodies
Diaphoretic = Induce involuntary perspiration that helps to reduce fever, cool the body, and speed the elimination of toxins
Diuretic = Stimulates the body to let go of fluid
Emetic = Can be used if taken in great quantities to make vomiting of poisonous substances

List found on http://www.anniesremedy.com
 
NMM Products With Elderberry

First Defense Cold & Flu - As soon as anyone starts "sniffling" and there is a flu bug going around, give this to them as their "first defense" to any illness.
Elderberry Syrup - The herbal combination we use most with our children!