Elderberry has been in the news recently as an immunity booster as the Covid pandemic has ravaged the world. The dark purple berry is harvested from the European Elder tree. These small but powerful antioxidant laced berries are used for medicinal purposes and most commonly used as a juice. The resultant juice is pleasant to taste and can be used for a host of common complaints and boost immunity too!
The Disease Busting Powers Of Elderberry Juice
The berries are touted as a medicinal miracle for a number of illnesses that are both chronic and seasonal. You can use the juice for relief from the Flu, the common cold, HIV and AIDS, sinusitis, sciatica nerve pain, neuralgia and even the chronic fatigue syndrome. There have been some studies that show that elderberry juice can boost immunity and keep allergies like Rhinitis at bay.
The elderberry juice is also a mild diuretic and laxative and can increase sweating considerably. People have used the elixir for protection from heart disease, high cholesterol and inflammation. It can work wonders when you are trying to lose weight too. The miracle fruit of elderberry has found notice and is used in a number of natural supplements and health drinks. The pleasant flavor finds a place in the culinary world as a food flavoring and in wine making too.
The fun in picking ripe elderberries on a sunny day is only matched by the family getting together to sample the fruits of their labour when the elderberry juice is ready. add a few cookies or a slice of cake to the table and you are set for an enjoyable evening.
Ingredients for Nordic Elderberry Juice
- 1.25 kilograms of ripe elderberries
- 6 apples
- 500 ml of water
- 400 grams of sugar
Method
Once you have separated only the ripest elderberries, remove the branches and twigs.
- Clean and wash the ripe berries thoroughly.
- Wash and slice the apples thinly.
- Add the water to a saucepan and add both the fruits to it. Boil for about thirty minutes or till the elderberry juice has been extracted thoroughly.
- Use a strainer fitted with a clean muslin cloth and strain out the concentrated elderberry juice. Use the back of a spoon to remove all the liquid. You can also let it stand for some time to ensure that all the juice has been drained off.
- Replace the saucepan with the elderberry juice on a medium flame and add all the sugar. Stir well till the sugar is completely dissolved. Boil till it bubbles.
- Bottle the juice in sterilized and dry bottles till used. Seal the bottles carefully and refrigerate.
This easy recipe for elderberry juice can be stored sealed in the refrigerator for months. An opened bottle will last you a couple of weeks if refrigerated. You can add water or sparkling soda to the concentrate and enjoy a refreshing and healthy drink. If the idea is to add warmth then you can have it warm with a shot of Rum to keep the sniffles away.
You can probably bypass all the trouble of bottling your own juice by simply looking up a reliable and trusted brand that gives you the same benefits but all you have to do is simply open a bottle.
Instructions Of Use
In most cases it is absolutely safe to take elderberry juice to avail its multiple health benefits. A daily glass of juice taken orally for twelve weeks or so is considered optimal and safe. There are no concrete studies that have recorded the effects of a more prolonged use of elderberry juice. You could take it for three months and stop to resume again after a month or so for best results.
Always choose a reputed brand or make your own elderberry juice as leaves, unripened fruits and stems can cause nausea and diarrhoea. Not enough information is available about the effect of the juice on pregnant or lactating women, so it is best to avoid the same in these conditions.
You should also avoid the elderberry extracts when you are suffering from an auto-immune disease such as multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus or other similar afflictions. The elderberry juice has a potential activity that increases the immune response of the body. This might cause an adverse impact on auto-immune disorders.
It is best to consult with your doctor or health practioner before you take any supplements as they might interfere with any other medications you have been prescribed.
Dosage Of Elderberry Juice
There has been considerable scientific research about the dosage of elderberry juice and the following are considered safe when ingested by mouth.
- If you are suffering from Flu a tablespoon of elderberry syrup that contains the juice can be taken four times a day for up to five days. You could also suck on about four lozenges made with the juice for a couple of days for relief from symptoms.
- Children can be dosed safely twice a day for up to three days with a tablespoon of elderberry syrup.
It is again best to consult a medical practitioner before self-dosing.
