Elderberries for Winter Health

Elderberries for Winter Health
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By , Organic Lifestyle Magazine

With wintertime, comes cold-and-flu season and a general strain on the immune system. Our bodies work harder to regulate temperature in the cold, our immune systems are taxed, and we spend more time indoors in close quarters, exposing ourselves to a variety of illnesses.

Fortunately, there are many things you can do to lend your immune system a helping hand, and one of my favorites is the elderberry.

The berries and flowers of black elderberry not only have immune boosting properties, they are also highly nutritious and make an excellent cold-and-flu remedy.

This is a good plant to become familiar with for your winter health, whether it’s found in the wild or the vitamin aisle of your grocery store. It will quickly become one of your go-to natural remedies.

Elderberries are aptly named “elder,” with an extensive record of their use in cultures throughout history. Evidence of use has been found in Stone Age archeological sites. “Sambucus nigra,” the plant’s scientific name, appears in the writing of the ancient Greeks.

Elderberry as Medicine

Elderberry can be taken as a natural medicine in many forms, including tinctures, syrups, extracts, and lozenges. The berries can be used as a dietary supplement in the form of jam, syrup, and a variety of beverages. It is important to note that unless fully cooked, the berries contain compounds that can be toxic, so never eat them raw.

You can preserve elderberry syrup, jam, or jelly in glass jars using basic canning instructions. (DENIO RIGACCI/iStock)
You can preserve elderberry syrup, jam, or jelly in glass jars using basic canning instructions. DENIO RIGACCI/iStock
Lara Colley
Lara Colley
Author
Out here in Oregon, I enjoy the rough-hewn life of a modern homesteader and mountain woman, weaving outdoor adventures into the fabric of everyday living. Whether tending my McKenzie River homestead hearth or a campfire up in the mountains, I find great enjoyment in the work of a self-sufficient life. I enjoy writing about my tales of camping, cooking, hiking, handcrafting, wildcrafting, canning, growing food, keeping chickens, and raising twin children. It is my hope to share some ideas and inspiration with other folks, to strengthen our connections with the land and wild places.