Happy Friday, friends!! Okay, real talk…How many of you guys have already been hit by some sort of fall sickness? Between Alisha and I, we’ve had 4 kids go down and 1 adult (we won’t name any names haha). So, this Weekend’s Wellness we are going to talk about elderberry syrup and elderberry cider and how to boost that immune system.
Story time, so grab some coffee or tea and settle in. When my (Tricia) twins were little and would start this cough every fall, and it would go on and off literally all winter long, I dreaded it. I knew it would be at least 2 weeks of on and off fevers, boogers, sleepless nights, and usually a hospital visit with some oxygen help, with this cycle on repeat. I hated it, I still wince when I hear that cough because PTSD can do a lot to a mama! Every year I hold my breath and think, is this going to be the year where they grow their lungs enough and won’t be barking seals all winter? Is this the year where they can run outside and play with friends in the cold and be able to catch their breath?
We’ve been hospital free for 2 years now (knock on wood and stitches and dumb boy moves don’t count ), so I know they are making progress. I didn’t even email the school nurse or teacher this year and give them their life stories (read About Us to hear more about them) with high hopes their little bodies would handle things differently. Well, second week of school and we heard the barky seal cough. It was loud and disturbing enough where I had to give out some sort information to the school and let them know this is just their bodies and they will pass it back and forth all winter long.
However, the normal routine went a little different this year. It lasted 2 days for one twin and for the other it lasted about 4. They had a solid 3 weeks of no cough and then it hit them again over the weekend. This time, each about 2 or 3 days. That’s it….THAT’S IT!! You guys, this is a big deal for us! It used to be WEEKS. Now, I am not saying we aren’t going to have some rough patches ahead. We likely will, but I don’t fear it as bad as I used to. I can tell they are getting stronger and making progress every year.
With that being said, here’s what I do to prepare their bodies. Come August, I start giving them elderberry cider. It’s quick and easy and they don’t have a cough. 1 dropper and that’s it. Now, elderberry cider is apple cider vinegar infused with elderberries for weeks to make a high concentration. Does it taste dreamy? Unless you like vinegar, no haha! But in reality, it’s such a small amount and as I tell my kids, “get it over it”. I’m not going to sugar coat things, literally, for my kids to eat it. They know it is part of the routine and it’s fast. I’m just giving them a little extra push to prepare them for some new germs they will be getting with sports and school friends approaching.
When the first sign of a lung irritation hits, I pull out the syrup. I will give it to them in the morning before school and when they get home from school. At night, they will have it with warm water and some extra honey if their cough is really bothering them. The honey helps soothe their little throats and it’s a calming way to settle in for the night. They also think it’s just the bee’s knees to pick a mug and have some tea with mom. We all really win here. Just to note- I also always bump up Vit. C to bowel intolerance because I just want to slam the virus right away.
Elderberry Cider and Elderberry Syrup differences are questions we get all the time. So much so that we created a nice little reference sheet for you guys. We also send these out with orders when you order both.
We hope this helps and always ask us questions if you have any! We love talking about this kind of stuff and helping in any way we can. Have a great weekend, friends!
Stay Well,
Alisha + Tricia
forgetmenotwellness.com 