PyratePrincess
Deceased
Bump (since we'll be coming on flu season again). On the line of "waste not"....anyone use what's left of the menstruum for something like..elderberry wine...jam, etc??
Bump (since we'll be coming on flu season again). On the line of "waste not"....anyone use what's left of the menstruum for something like..elderberry wine...jam, etc??
Do you mean the solids that are left after pressing the juice out? I figure by the time I'm done with it, there isn't a whole lot left in it! If I were making a batch of some sort of farmhouse wine (basic fruit wine from whatever's available) I might consider tossing it into the batch- it would add color, tannins and probably a hint of a unique berry flavor.
I usually just toss it to the chickens, or in the compost. It all comes back to us sooner or later!
Summerthyme
OK... one more time. (not pointed at anyone here).
First... Fleataxi, you surely can use dried berries to make the syrup... I apparently haven't made that clear enough... you just need to rehydrate them first (as I've included in this version of the syrup recipe).
Second... cytokine storm, elderberries and choice:
The ONLY study which shows potentially dangerous issues with elderberry was one done by the US government (NIH, I think). And while I'm not going to say they're prejudiced... well... I'm trying to think of the last time anything positive came out of there on herbs.
Other studies seem to show that elderberry does increase cytokines... but NOT THE DANGEROUSLY INFLAMMATORY ones. If that's the case, this is all a moot point anyway.
But... for me, more important is how elderberry works. It's NOT effective on influenza because of any immune stimulating action. It *prevents the virus from penetrating the cell walls*... when exposed to elderberry, it stops them from "latching on". It also prevents viral replication... from making more little virii.
Since cytokine storm severity is related to the viral load- HOW MUCH virus you have in your system... the heavier the viral load, the worse the potential cytokine storm. And since elderberry, taken EARLY and OFTEN prevents the virus from replicating, hence *keeping the viral load LOW*... it's going to be the best choice we've got (IMHO ONLY... everyone has to make their own choices) to beat this thing, even IF it gets more virulent.
The only time I'd be leery of taking elderberry is if someone has been ill for at least 48 hours (symptomatic for that long) and who is already clearly congested and building up fluid. But even then, given the chances of surviving WITHOUT treatment... I'd use it, but that's where I'd also use solid doses of the curcumin and piperine combo.
Summerthyme
Oh, wow! Do I wish I had one of those berry pickers! It reminds me of the comb my sister used to use for harvesting chamomile flowers.
I don't use credit cards and there's fat chance our finding something like that in this small town. Wonder if I'd be able to rig something myself, maybe with heavy hairpins and a metal dustpan? Not that I've ever found hairpins in this town, for that matter.
Grandma sez-
iF you HAVE blueberries, elderberries, huckleberries or other small berries growing close enough to go pick them THEN Please listen and....
GO BUY THIS NOW (online) before picking season starts and they are ALL “out of stock”
You will pick a hundred times more berries than you can pick without it, in just a few minutes you will have all you need!
Or, you could spend all day, get sunburned, insect/snake bit, and then accidentally dump all the tiny berries you picked one by one into deep grass. Your choice. You can ALSO share the picker, loaning it out to relatives and friends when you are done picking!
$17.95+ free shipping
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Jonas-Berr...398331?hash=item1c96c244fb:g:WGYAAOSwjZJZ-vc~
Summerthyme, I have a question for you.
Looking over this thread (page 1), I noticed someone asked if "bottled" elderberry juice can be used and you said you couldn't see why not.
Looking through my pantry, I found some elderberry jelly I made a couple years ago---would it be reasonable to think that it too, might be used? (The basic ingredients for that jelly is the juice, sugar, and pectin.)
I am not a health care professional and am not giving medical advice. Go to an appropriate licensed health care professional for medical advice, diagnose and treatment.[FONT=Verdana,Arial]Yes I would like to know also. After posting my question I went on to read another thread and read where its best to avoid elderberry. Now which is it? I'd certainly hate to give my loved ones something that would be harmful to them.[/FONT]
In my experience, it is useful to take elderberry at the very first signs of symptoms, or even earlier, if exposed to the flu. Once the flu is hitting its stride with full-blown symptoms, it's too late for elderberry, and other remedies are then preferable. I've sometimes had good luck with olive tincture when elderberry fails to work.
Guys... I know that some have had trouble figuring out my Elderberry Syrup recipe as I posted it over the years. I think this will be easier for most. If you've ever made jam or jelly, you CAN make this in well under an hour! It IS that easy. Heck, if you've ever followed a recipe of any kind, you can make this!
If you have any questions, ASK!!
Summerthyme
(if you're starting with dried berries, to get "juice", put 1 cup of berries in a quart jar and pour 2 cups of boiling water over them. If they soak it up, add a bit more. Stash in the fridge or a cool, dark place for 24-48 hours. Then strain, and squeeze every bit of liquid you can out- you can twist the berries in a muslin towel and get most of it) You'll need three "jars" of the stuff to get enough for 7 cups. )
Elderberry Syrup Recipe
7 cups elderberry juice
8 ¾ cups honey
3 cups 80 proof vodka
Warm the elderberry juice to “hot, but not boiling” temp… between 150 and 180°F should be plenty. Stir in the honey and stir until it’s completely dissolved and blended.
Remove from the heat, and stir in the vodka.
Pour into sterile jars or bottles (sterilize them by boiling for 5-10 minutes in boiling water, then let drip dry upside down until filling)
Cap and LABEL. Store in a cool DARK place (or bottle in dark brown glass)
Standard dose for adults would be:
Prophylaxis (prevention) 1 tablespoon 2x a day. If there is active flu in your office or family, double that, or take more often.
Treatment: 1-2 tablespoons every 3-4 hours
Children under 12: half the adult dose
Toddlers and infants: Talk to your doctor! But, lacking that, 1 tsp at similar intervals to the adult dose should be adequate.
There is NO way to overdose on this! Put it in juice, jello, pour it over ice cream- any way you can get the kids to take it is fine.
Alternatives:
If you do not want to use any alcohol in the syrup, use
7 cups elderberry juice
14 cups honey
Proceed as above, ignoring the reference to the vodka.
If you don’t want to use honey (probably best to NOT use it for babies under 1 year)
7 cups elderberry juice
11 ½ cups sugar