This cold and flu season, boost your immune system with a berry that's fairly unknown in Australia. Echinacea and Olive Leaf Extract are commonly used natural remedies in Australia, but have you tried elderberries?
Elderberries have been used for hundreds of years, in Europe and other parts of the Northern Hemisphere, to relieve the symptoms of cold and flu, and to keep away the winter blues.
Elderberry plants (genus Sambucus) are small, deciduous trees that are common in the Northern Hemisphere, including Europe, Africa, the US and parts of Asia.
The tree produces white flowers, that are known as elderflowers, and rich, dark coloured berries called elderberries. The berries have a sharp, sweet taste, and contain a high amount of antioxidants and Vitamins A, C and B6.
Dried elderberries are used in syrups, jams, jellies, teas, gin making and wine.
In this article, you'll learn three ways that you can use elderberries to make delicious tonics. This includes:
To make elderberry kombucha, you'll need a batch of freshly brewed kombucha. You can find a recipe for basic kombucha here.
If you're new to second fermentation brewing, then this is a great place to start. It will show you how to second ferment kombucha and it has ideas for the types of ingredients that you can use.
In this recipe, you'll learn how to make a simple elderberry kombucha. As you get more experimental with your flavours, you can mix these berries with hibiscus, orange blossom, acai or ginger.
The process for making elderberry water kefir and kombucha are similar. To begin, you'll need a batch of freshly brewed water kefir. You can learn how to make water kefir, including a step-by-step guide to second fermentation, by visiting our Learning Hub.
Elderberry syrup is a popular natural cold and flu remedy that you can keep on hand during the winter months. This tonic is usually made with honey, but you can make a vegan version using maple syrup. The honey-like syrup gives it sweetness and helps to preserve the tonic - while making it a soothing drink.
These simple recipes are a great way to feel good during the winter months. This article is designed as general information, and does not replace professional medical advice. As with any natural remedy, please seek medical advice for dosage and correct usage, to suit your individual needs.
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