DIY Elderberry Syrup

DIY Elderberry Syrup

Lisa Purdy ND, MH

Elderberries are back! Available and in stock, now is the time to make your elderberry syrup to have on hand for the winter cold & flu season.

Why elderberry? Because it is an immunomodulator! It helps the body adjust its immune level, without sending it into overdrive. Considered to be anti-viral, elderberry can sometimes disarm a virus and flush it out of the body before it has a chance to duplicate itself and set up housekeeping. The herb contains compounds that are active against flu viruses and has historically been used to treat epidemics. Elderberry is useful for nerve problems, back pain, and inflammation of the urinary tract and bladder. Drink as a tea to soothe a sore throat and ease respiratory distress. Elderberries are safe for all ages and children love the taste!

Cautions: Raw berries have laxative and diuretic actions and please note that ALL green parts of the tree are poisonous! Hence the reason for making them into a cooked syrup. Please also note that diabetics need to carefully monitor their blood sugar levels while using elderberries, to prevent low blood sugar. Elderberries work in the same way as blueberries and green beans, by sensitizing the body’s insulin receptors so that more of the insulin produced by the body can be used.

Lisa’s Elderberry Syrup

½ cup dried elderberries (or 1 cup fresh – freeze berries first to make it easier to pick out ALL of the green stems)

1 cinnamon stick                                                    5 cloves

1 Tbsp. fresh ginger, grated                                2 cups water

Simmer about 20 minutes in a stainless steel pan, reduce liquid by half.

Strain, squashing berries.

Add 1 cup honey to liquid. Store in refrigerator.

Suggested dose is 1 tsp. every two hours, up to 3 Tbsp. a day for active symptoms. 1 tsp. daily for prevention. Children ½ dose…not for use with infants, because of honey.

Make Your Own Healing Wound Paste

Healing Wound Paste

Mix together - 1 Tbsp. of each herb in powder form: comfrey root, slippery elm, myrrh, ½ Tbsp. bayberry root, and ¼ Tbsp. garlic

Store powder in a tightly covered jar. This is a perfect addition to your first aid kit.

When you have a wound, let it bleed a bit, that will help to clean it out. Don’t panic. Remember that facial wounds may bleed profusely. I usually will wash off the wound with running water and use colloidal silver on it to disinfect the wound. Then pour on a bit of the healing wound powder right into the wound and apply pressure to stop the bleeding. Sometimes I will add silver to the powder and apply the paste into the wound. Add more powder as needed and then bandage to keep clean.

The next day add more powder if you need to and put on a clean bandage, but do NOT clean out the wound again. Keep an eye on it, looking for infection. The wound will heal from the inside out. The powder will help to stop the bleeding, and act a bit like stitches to hold the wound together, allowing it to heal from the inside out. Never put the powder on an old or infected wound, as it may actually seal the infection inside the tissue causing a deeper problem. I have used this wound paste many times with my family and seen wonderful healing, many times leaving no scars.

Now is a good time to gather the things you might need for those summer activities with your family. Be prepared with your natural first aid kit!

Have a happy and safe summer!

A Tale of Two Moms

As mothers we try to do the best we can for our children. It is always a challenge, and there are many times that we doubt ourselves. We wonder if we are making the right decisions or we try to live up to an ideal that doesn’t exist. I raised six children and I know that I made mistakes, but I also know that I made decisions out of a deep love for them. There is no one right way to raise children. Each parent and each child is different, so we have to be flexible. That said, let me tell you a story…the tale of two moms.

Traditional mom wakes up earlier than usual to her child crying. He seems hot and fussy, and has a very smelly, runny diaper. Shortly after nursing or a bottle, the vomiting begins. Alternating changing diapers and changing clothes and bedding all day. The thermometer confirms that his temp is higher than normal. She tries soft food, but nothing is staying down. Lots of fussing and crying, mom is getting tired. Finally, feeling panic after a long sleepless night, mom and child head to the emergency room. After hours of waiting, with a very fussy child, in the midst of a coughing feverish crowd, they finally get to see a doctor. The doctor confirms that the child is indeed sick, but since it is likely a virus, there is nothing they can do. Take the child home and keep him hydrated, and let the sickness run its course.

Natural mom wakes up earlier than usual to her child crying. He seems hot and fussy, and has a very smelly, runny diaper. Shortly after nursing, the vomiting begins. Seeing what is happening, natural mom makes a cup of blackberry or raspberry tea, and begins to give the child a small spoonful every hour, to help with the diarrhea and fever. She knows that it isn’t necessary for him to eat, so skips meals, thwarting some of the bouts of vomiting. Instead, she opts for small doses of elderberry syrup, to help with virus. She also sneaks in some bioplasma homeopathic tablets, which dissolve instantly in his mouth, and provide necessary minerals. The biggest danger for a child with a fever, diarrhea, and vomiting is dehydration. So mom runs a warm bath and allows the child to soak in the liquid through the skin, while making sure he is nursing, and drinking small spoons of water or herbal tea often. After his bath, he sleeps awhile, and mom takes a nap too. Although mom is tired, she is at peace, knowing that her child will be fine, after the virus has run its course.

The biggest difference between traditional mom and natural mom is knowledge. Knowing what to do brings peace instead of panic. She is able to rely confidently on herself and not depend on an expert to tell her what to do. Sickness is never fun, but it can be a peaceful cuddly time, rather than a stressful emergency room visit. The key is to be prepared with knowledge, and with a few simple natural herbs and supplements on your shelf. Am I saying that you never need the expert opinion? No, sometimes you do. But for simple, everyday childhood sicknesses, you can be prepared to be a natural mom.

As a natural mom of six children, now a grandmother, a traditional naturopath, and a master herbalist, it would be my joy to help you be a prepared natural mom. Join us for classes or make an appointment for a consultation. I have office hours on Tuesdays and I am only a phone call away. It is my passion to help you find knowledge and the confidence to help your family be naturally healthy.

Lavender, Glorious Lavender

This year in my herb garden, I grew the biggest, most beautiful lavender plant that I have ever grown. Ohio is not the best place to grow lavender, as it usually likes a warmer climate. So many times my lavender has not returned after the winter. This plant was 3 years old and gorgeous! I purchased this lavender plant from companionplants.com who brings wonderful herbs to our annual plant sale every year. I think it was called Grosso Lavender. I harvested every flower and filled a laundry basket with them. I then watched a youtube video (my children would be proud to see that I used technology!) and I learned how to make a lavender wreath. Come into the store and see my creation. I confess it was harder to do than it looked in the video, but after three tries I had a wreath I could enjoy. I love to play in my garden, learning to make things that I can use, and share them with others. What fun!

Another way that I enjoy lavender is in tea. I like the Cup of Calm from Traditional Medicinals. This tea blend contains: passionflower, chamomile, lavender, catnip, rosemary, peppermint, spearmint, licorice, and stevia. It has a mild flavor and is deeply relaxing. I always keep it on the shelf at home and frequently share a cup in the store with someone who is a bit stressed and needs a friend. A box of this tea is the perfect addition to any “care package”, it makes a great gift!

Lavender is probably our best selling essential oil. It is well-known and appreciated for its many qualities. If you can afford only one essential oil, buy lavender. It is balancing, calming, relaxing, and helps you to sleep. Lavender oil is also anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antiviral, antispasmodic, analgesic, and stimulating to the immune system. Lavender is great to have in a first aid kit, useful for wounds, rashes, bites, and burns. It is one of the essential oils that you can use “neat” or directly on the skin. It is often used in personal care products and works well in a diffuser for aromatherapy. Lavender is an excellent choice for use with children or the elderly.

Tension Headaches Inhaler – Open the empty inhaler and drop the essential oils directly onto the wick. Use 8 drops lavender, 5 drops marjoram, and 3 drops peppermint essential oil. Close tightly. To use the inhaler: slide off the cover, with one finger press closed the left nostril, inhale from the tube into the right nostril. Repeat on other side. Exhale thru the mouth. Repeat both sides again. Inhale as needed to ease headache, clear the brain, and lessen tension.

We carry the empty inhalers, and would be happy to assist you to make an inhaler at our “Blend Your Own Essential Oils Bar”. Stop in to the store and learn how to create something you can use yourself or give as a gift.

Homeopathy for Behavior Problems in Children

Homeopathic remedies are safe, nonaddictive, and may be used with children who have developmental or behavioral problems.  These remedies may be taken with medications as they do not interfere with them.  The information for this article was taken from one of my favorite books, Natural Treatments fro ADD and Hyperactivity, by Skye Weintraub, N.D.  Please see the book for more complete descriptions and information. 

Anacardium:  for confused children who have the feeling of being followed or having a double.  They have a tendency to curse or swear and are abusive to animals.
Arsenicum album:  for children who are fidgety, hyperactive, and have allergies.  They have restless sleep.  Their mind is anxious with obsessive thoughts and double checking. They are always in a hurry.  They fear being alone.
Baryta carbonica:  for the child who is delayed in physical and mental development.  Poor assimilation causes emaciation of the body.  The mind has a a lack of understanding, very literal, with difficulty keeping up.  Problems with tonsils and chronic cough.
Cannabis indica:  autistic or "spaced out" children whose senses are exaggerated. They make up stories, have a short attention span, day dreaming, absent-minded, biting, and fear of death.  Urinary tract problems common.
Capsicum:  children who are brooding, irritable, absent-minded, disobedient, angry, and homesick.  Extremely obstinate and offended easily.  Difficulty in sleeping, wake full of fear.
Carcinosin:  children who are dull of mind, fearful, timid, unhappy, worried, and obstinate.  They love travel and music.  Strong cravings or aversions to certain foods.  Symptoms may appear after a vaccination reaction or a family member may have cancer.
Chamomile:  child with a bad temper, irritable, impatient, and complaining.  Everything for them is intolerable...they "cannot bear it".  Symptoms worse at night.
Cina:  child who is restless at night, grinding teeth or wetting the bed.  They may pick their nose until it bleeds.  This child does not want to be touched or looked at.  Parasites may be present.
Helleborus:  child feels stupid, dull, unresponsive.  History may show head injury or encephalitis.  They are unable to memorize anything.  A feeling of despair, anger, and aversion to making any effort.  They often bite their spoon without awareness.
Hyoscyamus:  child with poor impulse control.  They do not answer questions, act silly, laughing, and dancing around.  They talk excessively, with episodes of mania, rage, and depression.  They are manipulative, lying, jealous, fearful, delusional, and violent.
Lachesis:  jealous children, vengeful, sarcastic, nasty, with severe depression.They are very sensitive to criticism. They wake from sleep even more agitated.  They hate tight clothing.
Lycopodium:  the bossy child.  Intelligent with performance anxiety, insecurity, poor memory, inability to concentrate, and chronic fatigue.   Fearful of new situations or changes in diet.  
Medorrhinum:  children who fear public places...especially eating in public.  Aggressive, having temper tantrums, malicious with animals, impulsive, cannot pay attention, they are night owls.
Stramonium:  remedy for terrors and nightmares, worse between midnight and 2:00am, often wake screaming.  They have a horror of shiny objects.  Do not estimate distance correctly.  Food tastes bitter.  Child may sit silently, picking at their clothes.
Sulphur:  children who do not like to be bathed, and tend to be untidy.  Daydreamers in a fantasy world.  Their thought processes are illogical.  Memory is poor.  Enclosed situations threaten them.
Tarantula hispanica:  remedy for the most hyperactive of children.  They display impulsive restlessness, self-destructive, excessive fits, unceasing movement, violence, and depression.
Veratrum album:  child displays repetitive behavior and hyperactivity.  Child is restless, destructive, will tell outrageous lies, and act inappropriately bytouching others.  They love ice cold drinks.