by DARBY GATES
Cooler temperatures mean a myriad of things. Warm sweaters, comfy boots, throw blankets, hot
drinks, head colds, congestion, and flu.
We as a society, prepare ourselves for the coming sick season, by stocking up on all things
preventative medication. OTC (over the counter) vitamins, supplements, capsules and
everything listed cold & flu. Somehow, we have been conditioned into thinking that packing our
bodies full of artificial, chemically processed, glorified, and flavored poison, is going to protect us.
What it does is absolutely nothing of the sort.
The idea of using natural health and wellness is not new, by any means, but new enough to
people that it's viewed as being completely out-of-the-norm. For years, when people talk about
the natural approach to wellness, it’s done with an air of oddity. Only the hippie's and the new
age folks do those sorts of things.
That is changing right before our eyes, yet...
Take a walk through your local box store or grocery store pharmacy (even the grocery isles). You
will see that many of your products (as much as up to 80%) contain natural ingredients. More
herbs and plant-based components are listed now than ever before, yet, the idea of just using
the herb or the plant as a means of remedy or preventative treatment, is still considered absurd.
The Ancient system of wellness and medicine is aimed at keeping the individual healthy. It
stresses more prevention and strong health and thereby minimizing the treating the disease.
Modern medicine emphasizes more on curing the ailment or disease. While modern
medicine largely looks at treating the symptoms by common group of medications; the natural
approach to wellness is to first restore the balance in the WHOLE body, cleansing it from toxins
and free radicals, increasing patient’s strength, immunity, and vitality to be able to fight and cure
the ailment naturally.
This is the case for ANY imbalance we face, from mental and emotional distress, to physical
ailments such as cancers, and diabetes. Even your seasonal colds and flus are a sign of an
unbalanced body that natural wellness addresses.
Usually, the first thing people associate with natural health and wellness is Elderberry, and there
is a good reason for that. Elderberry has been used for centuries as an herbal remedy for
immune support. They’re packed with phenolic acids, anthocyanins, and flavanols, which are
powerful antioxidants that help boost your immune system and repair damage! In addition to
being one of the most powerful antioxidants, they’re loaded with beneficial minerals such as
iron, potassium, phosphorous, and copper as well as vitamins A, B, and C. The anthocyanins in
elderberries boost the production of cytokines – proteins that act as messengers within the
immune system – thereby enhancing the body’s immune response. Cytokines play a crucial role
in the immune system’s response to disease and work in ways very similar to hormones. They
can be both inflammatory or anti-inflammatory depending on what is needed and are released
by immune cells either directly into the blood stream or locally into body tissue during an
immune response. This could be why Hippocrates, who is often referred to as the ‘father of
medicine’ described the elder as his ‘medicine chest’.
Using a syrup or elixir created from the Elderberry, and packed full of other beneficial natural
ingredients such as RAW honey, cinnamon, and ginger, can fight off anemia and lower blood
pressure. It can help promote healthy skin, teeth, bones. It's an excellent source of Vitamin A
which help aid in vision and cell growth. And it boosts your immunity, which allows your body to
prevent the common colds and flu.
If you find yourself wanting to explore more about natural health and wellness, and ways to
keep the sick at bay, Elderberry is a wonderful jumping off point. This is a great introduction to
other methods of whole-body prevention, like using plants such hibiscus, and even dandelion. I
am always available for your questions, your concerns, and to even help you add natural
products into your daily regimen.
**As always, I am NOT a doctor, and I am NOT doling out medical advice. I am just in tune with
my body, my surroundings, and have learned to adapt to using what God has given us naturally
to heal from within. I am led to share and help others on their own journey. Please, if needed,
consult your trusted physician with any concerns. And ALWAYS DO YOUR OWN RESEARCH.
Be safe, stay well, and forage your backyard.
