Are you looking for a natural remedy that will cure your cold? Yes, it is a known fact that cold does wear off in seven days if treated and if left untreated in a week. However, who wants to struggle for a week? There are several medications available to treat the disease. However, their effectiveness has been questioned on several occasions, and additionally, they have a myriad of side effects that they pose to the body.
Elderberry Syrup for Cold
In these conditions, natural remedy is the way to go, and one of the most trusted and prehistorically used remedies is elderberry(1). There are several pieces of evidence written across history that show that elderberry has been cultivated and used for treating several respiratory disorders.
However, most historians typically trace the origin of this healing fruit to Hippocrates, the father of medicine. He described this plant as his ‘medicine chest’ because it could treat several diseases. We could talk about the usage of this herb by cavemen, ancient Egyptians, and ancient Greeks, there is no denying the fact that this one of the best herbs to treat several viral diseases.
Cold is classified as a congestive disorder of the throat and the lungs and is caused by the rhinovirus. A cold could mean that your body has a weakened immune system and that could open up your body to several diseases.
[Also Read: Naturopathic Remedies to Get Rid of Cold]
Why Elderberry Syrup for Cold?
Elderberries for cold are an excellent immune system booster; these berries have anthocyanidins, which are known to have immunostimulant effects. Research states that elderberry extract is a safe, cost-effective for the treatment of cold and flu symptoms.
In recent times a study published in Nutrients showed that elderberry extract could reduce the duration and symptoms of a cold. Patients using this herb from 10 days, said that on an average they experienced a two-day shorter duration of their colds and a significant reduction in their cold(2) symptoms.
These antiviral characteristics could be attributed to the presence of anthocyanins, that help in alleviating the flu-symptoms. These compounds bind with the virus and stop the process of replication and thereby help in reducing the duration of the cold and in the significant reduction of the disease.
[Also Read: Ginger Tea for Cold]
How To Use Elderberry Syrup For Cold
Several natural elderberry syrups and extracts are available at pharmacies across. However, it has to be noted that the elderberry content in these syrups and extracts are variable and sometimes even tend to be artificial. Although there is no harm in using these syrups. However, one could question their effectiveness against cold.
One of the best ways to treat cold using elderberry would have it naturally. You could buy a few of these and munch on them throughout the day. Additionally, you could also add these into your breakfast as they compliment your oats, pancakes to perfection.
Alternatively, you could make your elderberry syrup that is easy to make, is great to taste and is kid friendly.
For this recipe, you would need dried elderberries, and this immune boosting and delicious syrup could be used as a condiment for your breakfast.
Ingredients
- 3½ cups of water
- 1 cup of black elderberries (dried)
- 2 tablespoons of ginger (grated)
- 1 tablespoon of cinnamon
- ½ tablespoon of ground cloves
- 1 cup of raw honey
Instructions
- Add water into a saucepan and as the water starts to boil, add in the elderberries, ginger, cinnamon, and cloves.
- Make sure you bring them to a boil and then close the lid and have them on simmer for about 45minutes to an hour, it is important that you check while it is boiling to see if the liquid has increased in its viscosity.
- Once it reaches half of its initial amount, remove from heat and let it cool until it can be handled
- Using a spoon now, make sure that mash the contents of the saucepan and then transfer it into a flat utensil
- Now using a filter, pour it into a glass jar
- You could discard the filtrate and let the liquid in the jar to cool.
- Once cooled, add raw honey to the jar and make sure to stir well.
Now your elderberry syrup for cold is ready to use. It is to be noted that you need to store this in the fridge and needs to be used daily for alleviating the symptoms of your cold.
[Also Read: Herbs That Fight Cold]
Dosage
The standard for kids is a half to one teaspoon and for adults is half to one tablespoon. If you are suffering from cold, take this dose every 2-3 hours instead of the normal usage until your symptoms disappear.
Cold wreaks the body completely and hinders the capability of the patient to go on about their life. They are mostly restricted to their couch, sneezing and with a blocked nose. Elderberries could be the answer to treating your cold and flu symptoms.
However, it is to be noted that there a few complications if you are already on medication. Hence, it is recommended that you consult your doctor before you use elderberries for cold.
[ Read: Elderberry Tea Benefits ]
FAQs
1. Does Elderberry Syrup Work for Colds?
Elderberry plant is one of the most powerful plants for preventing and treating colds and influenza. It helps decrease reduces symptoms of upper respiratory infections.
2. How Do I Take Elderberry Syrup When Sick?
Ideally, you can take 1 tablespoon 3-4 times a day and increase it to 2 tablespoons 3-4 times a day.
3. What Are the Side Effects of Elderberry?
Side effects of Elderberry include normally include weakness, numbness, and stupor.
