Wouldn’t you like your kids to be better than average? According to Utah Health, on average, school-aged kids catch anywhere from five to eight colds a year. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to better the odds, and improve the health of your entire family! Here are our top nine tips:
1. Plenty of Sleep
School-aged children need nine to twelve hours of sleep each night. Help your child experience sound sleep by avoiding caffeine, reducing screen time before bed, and establishing fun and relaxing night-time routines. And tuck them into bed for an added sense of snuggly security.
2. Plenty of Healthy Foods
Healthy eating habits provide the strength and energy needed for daily physical, mental, and emotional success. Start your kiddos with true boost: a delicious and nourishing breakfast. Pack heart-healthy and wholesome lunches to keep your kids from that midday crash, and greet your students with a yummy snack at the end of their day. A nutritious dinner finishes the day well, and shared family meals are proven to be beneficial. When planning meals, focus on high protein, low sugar, and low to moderate fat foods. Check out a few of our favorites, and stop back soon for these and other recipes!
Breakfast
Lunch
Snack Packs
Dinner
3. Plenty of Exercise
Growing children need around 60 minutes of physical activity every day, and great options abound! Youth sports programs across the country provide opportunities to get your kiddos moving and shaking, and may lead to a lifetime love of exercise. Afterschool programs offer curated activities for your students. Yards — yours, your neighbor’s, or neighborhood parks — provide space for kids to run and play and soak up some extra vitamin D. Maybe, today there’s some extra time to set up an indoor obstacle course, with pillow leapfrog and couch cushion fort crawling. Start being creative and watch your kiddos join in!
4. Plenty of Sound Hygiene Habits
Have you taught your kids how to cover a sneeze? Or what should they do if someone sneezes or coughs near them? Keep your children safe from germs when you're not around by teaching them to follow these habits:
5. Plenty of Hydration
Making sure your little ones have enough water is so important for keeping their minds and bodies moving. Grab them a cool water bottle they can bring to fill up at school and be sure to start and end the day with hydration. Find special stickers to adorn their hydration vessel for the days they hydrate well! Straw lids are a bonus - they’re fun for every age. Insulated cups are great for keeping liquids cold. If you decide to go with plastic, be sure to recycle responsibly!
6. Plenty of an Immunity Boost with Elderberry!
Don’t wait for your child to get sick to give them Elderberry, start now and prepare them for the germs to come! Regular doses of elderberry can help boost your child’s natural immunity and expedite healing processes. Each delicious dose of our Elderkids gummies is crafted with 97.5mg of scientifically-proven elderberry and essential nutrients like zinc, vitamin C, and probiotics. These promote a balanced digestive system, and a robust immune response when sickness tries to butt in. We have elderberries in a liquid form for kids called Children’s Formula. This formula gives your kiddos the same amazing benefits as the gummies, but with all the nutritional value of the added blueberries. LIFE HACK: Drip a teaspoon into your kids’ juice, stir into their yogurt, or drizzle on top of some fruit… who said it had to be hard?
7. Plenty of Opportunities to Manage Stress
When you recognize the symptoms of stress such as anxiety, mood swings, restlessness, and irritability, take a second and pay closer attention. Helping your kiddos cope with anxiety is a different way to help them bounce back. Hear them out, ask them what’s wrong, and listen, actively and calmly, to what they communicate to you, in both words and body language. They will learn to identify stress, process their feelings, and determine their response when you comment briefly on their shared feelings. We all desire to be heard, understood, and valued. If the stressor can be removed, talk through a solution with them! They may be surprised at how much they know! And after all of the talking, help them find an activity for a break. Check out a few of our recommendations below:
8. Plenty of Information on Vaccinations
According to the CDC “Vaccines reduce your child’s risk of infection by working with the body’s natural defenses to help safely develop protection against disease” (CDC). Vaccines can help prevent serious diseases that at one time harmed young kids. They are extensively tested to ensure their effectiveness and safety. Check out the CDC website for plenty of information on vaccinations at CDC.gov.
9. Plenty of Awareness for Signs of Illness
If you notice your kiddos getting sick, keep them home from school. Not only will this prevent them from spreading anything they already have, but it will also prevent your little ones from collecting any other germs or bacteria that could make them even more ill for longer! Give them plenty of low-sugar fluids and healthy foods, while encouraging rest time. Sleep can be the best healing!
We know that you love your kiddos, and you know that to keep them healthy, there’s plenty to KNOW, plenty to DO, and plenty of us cheering you on! They, and you, have already made it this far, so something must be right. We trust you found some inspiration and helpful tips in this month’s blog. Leave us some comments on what you do to help your kids stay healthy during the school year, we would love to see them!
Ever-important, taking care of your mental health. In a time where anxiety is at an all-time high, regulating our nervous systems has never been more necessary.
Below are some tools to help regulate your nervous system:
Available for order now, our Immune+Sleep Gummies are crafted with all-natural ingredients to promote healthy immune function and restful sleep. Our recipe combines our signature elderberry with Melatonin and Suntheanine (L-Theanine) to naturally encourage night after night of deep, replenishing sleep. They’re the perfect on-the-go supplement for families who want to boost overall wellness with rest and recovery.
Also available for order:
Whether you are looking to boost your metabolism or enhance your sleep, our new line of products provides support for whole-body health while boosting your immune system. Providing top-of-the-line elderberry products that benefit you is our priority and we are proud to add these items to serve you.
]]>What are probiotics?
Did you know our bodies constantly have both good and bad bacteria in them—and a lot of them? Some studies have estimated that there are anywhere from 39-300 trillion bacteria living inside of you. Probiotics are the good, live bacteria and yeasts that naturally occur in our bodies. When we get sick or get an infection, it causes an increase in our system’s bad bacteria. Increasing our intake of probiotics can help to increase the level of good bacteria, restoring balance to our system. While largely associated with gut health (found in the large intestine), probiotics are also found in the mouth, urinary tract, skin and lungs.
What are the pros of probiotics?
Good bacteria help to keep you healthy by supporting your immune function and controlling inflammation. They can also help your body digest food, keep bad bacteria from getting out of control and making you sick, create vitamins, help support the cells that line your gut to prevent bad bacteria from leaking into your blood, and break down and absorb medications.
Balancing the bad bacteria with good bacteria (probiotics) helps your body to maintain a proper level of gut health. A healthy gut promotes good mental health, stabilizes energy levels, helps your immune system fight off infections, and promotes a healthy nervous system.
While the science is inconclusive at this time, and everyone’s natural makeup of good and bad bacteria is unique, increasing the amount of probiotics in your body may also help treat the following conditions:
How can you increase your intake of probiotics?
You can increase your intake of probiotics through drinks and foods that are rich in probiotics, and by taking probiotic supplements.
Probiotic-rich foods are those prepared by bacterial fermentation, including yogurt, buttermilk, kefir, kombucha, tempeh, fermented pickles, kimchi, and sauerkraut, to name a few. And while adding probiotic-rich foods into your diet isn’t a bad idea, remember, balance is key! Adding too much of just one food can prevent your body from enjoying the benefits of other foods.
Don’t like fermented pickles or sauerkraut? No problem! Our Norm’s Farms Organic Elderberry Gummies with Probiotics is an easy and delicious way to get probiotics into your and your family’s diet. They’re filled with immune-boosting nutrients like elderberry and zinc while offering the good probiotics you need for optimal gut health.
You can find high-quality and delicious probiotic supplements to support your gut health and immune system from Norm’s Farms online or in a store near you.
References
*This statement has not been evaluated by the Food & Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
]]>But life gets busy, putting our health first gets harder, and preventative care falls by the wayside. At Norm’s Farms, we believe wellness doesn’t have to be reactive and it doesn’t have to be difficult.
We’re providing a few of our favorite tips and tricks to guide your wellness goals in the new year:
Add In Antioxidants: According to the Mayo Clinic, antioxidants are nutrients found in food that may help protect your body’s cells against free radicals, the elements that play a role in heart disease, cancer, and other diseases. Adding antioxidant-rich foods like blueberries, asparagus, beets, kale, strawberries and our beloved elderberries into your diet can increase your blood antioxidant levels to fight oxidative stress and reduce the risk of disease.
Schedule a Check-Up: Routine health care that includes screenings, check-ups, and patient counseling to prevent illnesses, disease, or other health problems, can help you determine how best to take care of yourself this year.
Ramp Up Your Immune Support: You know the basics - wash your hands, sneeze into your elbow, stay home if you’re sick, but let’s talk about next steps. Did you know that the berries and flowers of elderberry are packed with antioxidants and vitamins that may boost your immune system and help ease and prevent cold and flu symptoms? Check out our Elderberry Wellness Syrup to kick start your immune system all year long.
Elevate Your Gut Health: There are tons of benefits to keeping your gut happy and healthy, an increase in energy, improved mental health and a healthy nervous system, to name a few. Taking probiotics (try these! Norm’s Farms Organic Elderberry Gummies with Probiotics), staying hydrated and getting a good night’s rest all help your digestive system.
Get Moving: Exercise combats health conditions and diseases, improves your mood, boosts your energy, and promotes better sleep. Whether you prefer aerobic exercise like walking, biking, or swimming, or strength training, all exercise and physical activity are great ways to feel better, boost your health and have fun.
As you set your goals for the new year, we are here to support you. Interested in adding elderberry to your diet? Norm’s Farms makes a variety of products from our farm grown elderberries, including four delicious elderberry liquid supplements, elderberry jams and jellies, and elderberry gummies with Vitamin C, zinc, and probiotics.
*This statement has not been evaluated by the Food & Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease
Resources:
After the last couple of years, we all know the drill, wash your hands, sneeze into your elbow, stay home if you’re sick. But let’s take it up a notch - Norm’s Farms is ready to help you ramp up your immune system whether you are a busy mom, a little one, or a teenager on the go, we’re constantly innovating to bring you elderberry when, where, and how you want it—so you can live a healthy lifestyle on your own terms.
Here are three simple ways to help protect your immune system this cold and flu season:
Our immune systems play a key role in our ability to fight off whatever virus we encounter, be it a cold, the flu or COVID-19. It’s important that we make a conscious effort to bolster our immunity as we move through the winter months, but not at the expense of our tastebuds. Our Wellness Syrup is an everyday supplement promoting a healthy immune system response, filled with antioxidants and when paired with cinnamon (an anti-inflammatory that helps your body fight infection) and clove (a rich source of manganese that supports strong bones*), you get whole-body health in a single, tasty spoonful.
Interested in adding elderberry to your diet? Norm’s Farms makes a variety of products from our farm grown elderberries, including four delicious elderberry liquid supplements, elderberry jams and jellies, and elderberry gummies with Vitamin C, zinc, and probiotics.
We are proud to provide your whole family with products made from nature to nurture your body through cold and flu season and through clean nutrients that provide the best support for a healthy immune system.
*This statement has not been evaluated by the Food & Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
1.https://www.webmd.com/cold-and-flu/news/20211119/this-years-flu-season-what-to-know
2.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7387807/
]]>Historically, anthocyanins have been used in folk medicine for generations as a remedial measure. But it’s only recently that the measurable pharmacological properties of isolated anthocyanin pigments have been conclusively verified by in vivo, in vitro, or clinical research trials.
Basically, today’s science seems to back up yesteryear’s folklore. It’s something Norm has known intuitively all along: that elderberries are a nutritional force to reckon with.
We still have a lot to learn about the exact benefits of anthocyanins in the body, but we’re finding out that they play a role in fighting free radical damage, and protecting cells, tissues and other vital organs.
Getting your fill of anthocyanin-rich fruits and vegetables may help boost your overall health by offering up an array of nutrients and antioxidants your body needs to perform at its best.
When anthocyanins interact with microflora (organisms that live inside the intestines to help digest food) it has a positive effect on gut health. Additionally, anthocyanins have shown to support hormonal balance by reducing estrogen. And of course, anthocyanins have shown dramatic anti-inflammatory effects, boosting the production of cytokines that regulate your immune response.
Overall, adding foods containing these essential nutrients to your diet increases general wellness.
Anthocyanins are plentiful in plant foods, providing the bright red-orange to blue-violet colors of many fruits and vegetables. These compounds are most abundant in berries (eg, black currants, elderberries, blueberries, strawberries) and their juices, and in red and purple grapes, red wine, sweet cherries, eggplants, black plums, blood oranges, and red cabbage. Red to purplish blue-colored leafy vegetables, grains, roots, and tubers also contain high levels of anthocyanins.
Plants produce anthocyanins as a protective mechanism against environmental stressors, such as ultraviolet light, cold temperatures, and drought. This production of anthocyanins in roots, stems, and especially leaf tissues is believed to provide resistance against these environmental hazards. Turns out, humans benefit from these compounds too.
Elderberries are one of the richest sources of anthocyanin pigments. Elderberries produce a small blue-black fruit that is typically made into jellies, wine, extracts or other products and is rarely eaten fresh.
You can get high quality elderberry supplements, jams and preserves from Norm’s Farms online or in a store near you.
Did you know turmeric has anti-inflammatory properties that may relieve inflammation and even arthritis pain? In fact, back in 2014 studies found that turmeric was just as effective as ibuprofen for the management of knee osteoarthritis! If you’re planning any hikes this summer, be sure to take this stem with you. It could be exactly what you need for those minor aches and pains.
DGL, (Deglycyrrhizinated licorice) found in a chewable tablet at most natural stores, has shown in studies to help increase the mucous coating in your throat to help with acid reflux. Chewing on some licorice after that greasy, local diner burger may help quell your heart burn!
When you’re sightseeing, the last thing on your mind is your water intake. But dehydration can cause headaches, dizziness, heat exhaustion, and fatigue, among other symptoms. Keep water in the car, in the Air Bnb, and in your day pack for everyone to help keep those spirits up. It’s a good idea to stop, stretch, and get a snack every few hours anyway! Experts say at least 2 liters a day will help keep you on track.
Oh, the classic scene: Dad’s trying to drive in traffic, mom’s trying to give directions, and the kids are screaming in the back. It’s no wonder traveling can be stressful. This year, try putting a diffuser in the car and add in some lavender essential oil. It is widely believed that lavender aromatherapy can reduce stress. It might just be the trick to mellow out your trip.
For motion sickness on those curvy roads, ginger (turmeric’s cousin) is great. Similar to elderberry, ginger has been used for a very long time, and recent studies have shown that our ancestors were onto something. In one study experts gave sailors ginger and it reduced the intensity of their seasickness. If ginger can help sailors on the open ocean, surely it can help calm your upset stomach when the lead foot is driving. ;)
It happens. You’re trapped in the car one road-trippy afternoon when suddenly you’ve got gas pain and indigestion. Most remedies will help you pass the gas to relieve pressure, but it’s a little inconvenient when you’re driving hours through the Heartland with your family of four. Another great natural option to soothe your stomach is charcoal. Charcoal helps reduce gas and bloating by trapping the gas molecules in the porous charcoal. Try it out! You can find charcoal tablets and capsules at your local natural foods store.
Tea Tree oil is good for so many things (and smells awesome), but one of it’s best uses is for insect bites. If you plan on traveling to the great outdoors this year, be sure to have some of this all natural remedy on hand. Being eaten by bugs is the worst, but tea tree oil can help get rid of your itchiness so you can get back to nature.
No one wants to get sick on a road trip, that's why we suggest taking your daily dose of elderberry before, during, and after your trip. This 2016 clinical trial showed that travelers using elderberry from 10 days before travel until 4-5 days after experienced on average a 2-day shorter duration of the common cold and also noticed a reduction of cold symptoms. Taking Elderberry has been scientifically proven to help your body’s natural immune response. Don’t leave home without it this summer. Whether traveling by car or plane, our elderberry gummies will fit perfectly in your suitcase. If you need to stop to pick some up, we’re in stores across the country.
🏜️🌋⛰️🏕️🛣️🌅🏞️🌄🌇🌉🏝️
Grand Canyon, New York, Yosemite, DisneyLand, Alaska, New Orleans, Yellowstone, Seattle, Zion, Moab, Chicago, or your own backyard. No matter where you’re going this summer, we hope you enjoy it. Armed with your vaccine and these natural remedies, we hope you have a great vacation. Wishing you good health and good vibes all summer long. 😎☀️💜
]]>Ah, the artichoke. Artichokes are loaded with antioxidants, plus a ton of other nutrients. Think: vitamin c, vitamin k, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B6, folate, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, calcium, and zinc. Artichokes may also lower bad cholesterol and increase good cholesterol, making them a great, healthy option overall. If you didn’t grow up eating artichokes, check out this beginners guide to choosing the best ones and making them tasty.
Blueberries are easy to find in your local grocery store and contain high amounts of antioxidants. They are also low in calories but loaded with nutrients, making them a well-loved superfood. Blueberries are a great snacking fruit, delicious in a smoothie, and versatile enough to work well on top of salads too. Incorporating our elderberry-blueberry extract into your morning routine is another great way to get antioxidant-rich foods in your diet.
This might just be our favorite antioxidant-rich food on this list. That’s right, research shows that dark chocolate has more antioxidant power than any other fruit tested, including the antioxidant superfood above, blueberries. A couple squares of craft dark chocolate will do ya. Rejoice!
Strawberries are great because (duh) they’re chock full of antioxidants; but also, they don’t boost your blood sugar like other fruits will. For a unique spin on your fav red berry, try this strawberry and cucumber tabbouleh recipe for dinner this week or this strawberry shallot salsa recipe on Taco Tuesday.
Pecans rank #1 in antioxidant capacity among all nuts. Plus, pecans are high in protein and make a filling snack. Add a handful to just about any green salad, chop and toss them in your squash soup, or take a page from this list of ways to incorporate pecans daily.
Leafy greens are also high in antioxidants, and they’re rich with vitamins A,C,E, and K. Kale, spinach, and broccoli in particular are great go-tos for mixing healthy, antioxidant rich food into your meals. For 19 new ways to eat leafy greens, read this.
Elderberries are packed; in fact, they’re one of the highest sources of antioxidants on this list. But elderberry is different from other antioxidant foods, because you can’t just pick elderberries off the bush and eat them. You won’t find elderberries in the fruit aisle of the grocery store either.
Elderberries must be properly processed (cooked) into an extract, jam, or syrup first, so your body can adequately digest the nutrients they offer. Elderberries are loaded with antioxidants, vitamin c, dietary fiber, phenolic acids, flavonols, and anthocyanins. It’s part of the reason we take our fresh American Elderberries and make them into an extract for you and your family. In one spoonful, you get all of these benefits from the delicious elderberry.
The short answer: The American Elderberry (Sambucus canadensis) is a close relative of the European Elderberry (Sambucus nigra), with the same health benefits and potential for immune support. And in the most recent studies, experts found that the American elderberry is not poisonous. Read on for the full story.
American elderberry is a rapidly growing specialty crop in the United States [1]. Native to eastern and midwestern North America, American elderberry is increasingly cultivated for its fruits and flowers that are used in a variety of foods, jellies, simple syrups, wines, and dietary supplements, like gummies, capsules and other products [2].
Elderberry is known for its nutritional and medicinal health benefits [3,4,5], both traditionally and increasingly within the scientific community. The fruit is rich in carbohydrates, fatty acids, organic acids, minerals, vitamins (A, B6 and C), essential oils, and is high in fiber [6,7], making it a great addition to your healthy lifestyle.
Researchers have linked elderberry products to anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, anti-carcinogenic, anti-viral, anti-influenza, and antibacterial activities [3,8,9,10,11,12,13]. It’s potential as a natural immune support supplement is part of the reason why Norm’s is in the business of elderberry!
Less research has been conducted on the American Elderberry than its close relative, the European Elderberry (Sambucus nigra) because farms in Europe have been around for generations; however, both species are excellent sources of flavonoids, polyphenols and anthocyanins [3,8,9,14,15], i.e. the good stuff that helps support your body’s natural immune function.
The elderberry industry has increased significantly between 2011 and 2019 [16], and is poised for continued expansion. However, its popularity may be hampered due to the uncertainty surrounding the presence of cyanogenic glycosides (CNGs) and/or their alleged toxicity. It’s a question we get all the time as elderberry farmers, “are elderberries poisonous?” To which the answer has always been: no, properly processed elderberry is not poisonous and is safe to incorporate regularly into your healthy lifestyle.
In fact, the latest findings conducted by experts at the University of Missouri, Truman State University, and the Southwest Research Center showed no quantifiable trace of CNGs in commercial American Elderberry juice. They found that cyanogenic potential was highest in the stems and green berries, but concentration levels in all tissues were generally low and at a level that poses no threat to consumers of fresh and processed American Elderberry products. (Want to dive in? Read the full study here.)
The American Elderberry is a promising, emerging North American crop. It’s potential as a dietary supplement is exciting, and as we learn more about this plant species, we’ll be sure to keep y’all in the loop. If you’re ready to start your own elderberry journey, you can purchase American elderberry cuttings and plants from Norm’s Farms every October through March. Sign up for our newsletter to get your pre-order notification every year. Be well!
Probiotic-supplements are a great way to add good bacteria to your body in preparation for holidays and the earlier you start in the season, the better. That’s because probiotics are made of good live bacteria and/or yeasts that naturally live in your body. But when you get an infection, there’s more bad bacteria, knocking your system out of balance. Good bacteria helps eliminate extra bad bacteria, returning the balance.
For an added bonus, try Norm’s Farms Organic Elderberry Gummies with Probiotics. They’re filled with immune-boosting nutrients like elderberry and zinc, while offering the good probiotics you need for optimal gut health during the holidays.
Drinking at least 60 to 80 ounces of water per day has been shown to be beneficial for the mucosal lining of your intestines; meaning, drinking more water keeps you more regular. Be sure to increase your hydration habits if you’re exercising more to balance your holiday caloric intake or if you’re consuming a lot of diuretics like coffee, tea or alcohol (*ahem* we’re looking at you, New Years Eve).
If you can, eat your veggies FIRST so you’re guaranteed to get them in at every meal over the holidays. When there are so many delicious foods on the table, it’s tempting to skip the veggies altogether. But you need the nutrients and fibers in vegetables to optimize your energy levels and feel your best, so resist skipping out!
You don't have to exercise for 60 minutes a day every day, but if you can incorporate intentional movement, you’ll support healthy digestion. Especially after meals, moving your body keeps the blood flowing and your heart rate elevated – this will bring energy and a sense of wakefulness to your digestive tract.
Your gut and brain have a special two-way communication system called the gut-brain axis, which influences many of your body’s cognitive and emotional functions. That’s why your gut can affect your mood, sleep, and circadian rhythm. Alternatively, insufficient sleep can contribute to systemic inflammation and can have serious effects on your gut. Yikes! We know you’re on vacation, but try for 7-9 hours of uninterrupted sleep per night to keep things running smoothly.
There are tons of benefits to keeping your gut happy and healthy. Here are just a few of the additional advantages you’ll see when you start to take care of your digestive health over the holidays and year-round.
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You deserve to know exactly what goes into your dietary supplements. That’s why we test ours for polyphenols and anthocyanins—the nutrients that give elderberries their immune boosting qualities—through USP Monograph quality standards. These high standards take a look at the identity, strength, purity, and performance of our ingredients.
In addition, we have our nutraceuticals Tru ID tested, a certification program that uses DNA technology to verify the identity of the plant species you find on our product labels.
These strict, 3rd party testing measures mean you can rest assured you’re getting authentic elderberry every time you take a spoonful of Norm's Farms. And when it comes to effectively supporting your body’s natural immune response, knowing makes all the difference.
We’re elderberry people, first and foremost. Norm’s Farms is able to ensure our customers quality elderberry products because we have control of our supply chain, from farm to finished product. We grow our own elderberries right here in the United States, and we have direct relationships with other elderberry farmers. We manufacture our own supplements, and we build long-lasting partnerships with companies in North America that meet the same level of quality standards we do.
We know our supplements intimately—from nature to nurture. We’ve done it this way from the get-go because (1) it ensures we have complete transparency over our ingredients and (2) it guarantees your family is receiving legitimate, quality elderberry every day.
A cytokine storm, or cytokine release syndrome (CRS), is an excessive immune response that may occur in late-stage severe illnesses. There’s been a lot of buzz about it lately because CRS was considered a major source of fatalities during the SARS epidemic, and some have recently reported that we may see similar outcomes with COVID-19.
With elderberry, the concern is that the botanical might be bad news for coronavirus patients because it’s alleged to help create this “cytokine storm.” But cytokine storms are rare and the truth is, we don’t have enough data to conclude that any natural product can stimulate one in human physiology.
Ultimately, here’s what we found: elderberry is not likely to cause CRS by itself. In fact, there’s no causative links of elderberry or any herbs associated with CRS.
Cytokine release syndrome is caused by a severe amount of damage to your tissues, activated by your immune cells in the later stages of an infection. At which point, your symptoms should be managed by medical professionals rather than any at-home remedy. But healthy people taking elderberry every day is perfectly okay. Encouraged even!
“Elderberry supplements are positive immune support supplements to recommend,” says New Hope Network, leaders at the forefront of the healthy lifestyle products industry. However—and this is true always, not just in the wake of a pandemic—people with autoimmune diseases should talk to their doctor before taking elderberry or any other natural remedy.
While the full effects of black elder is not yet well known, “antiviral and antimicrobial properties have been demonstrated” in these extracts, and the United States Food and Drug Administration generally recognizes black elder as safe to take. When taken daily, these supplements help support a healthy immune response, which is exactly what we all need right now.
Unfortunately, the battle against Coronavirus will last longer than we all initially thought. Maintaining a healthy diet, lifestyle, exercise regime, and working to minimize stress as much as possible during this time is vital to our overall health.
Since there’s still no known effective cure or treatment for COVID-19, experts are pointing to all potential therapeutics, mitigation interventions, and—in particular—prevention strategies that may reduce the incidence or severity of infection as viable options for keeping healthy people healthy.
Wearing your mask in public, social distancing, and taking immune boosters is recommended across the scientific board. But if you do get sick, please call your doctor to discuss your symptoms and treatment options.
Be well!
This article should not be viewed as medical advice. All the information, content, and material you find on this page is for informational purposes only and is not intended to substitute for the consultation, diagnosis, and/or medical treatment of a qualified physician or healthcare provider.
]]>So, what exactly are antivirals? According to WebMD, Antivirals are ‘medications that reduce the ability of flu viruses to multiply.” Fortunately, nature supplies us with foods and herbs that have natural antiviral activity too. As with western medicine pharmaceutical antivirals, natural antivirals must also be taken at the first sign of illness to be effective. What if we could simply stay healthier by having natural antivirals “on board” in our bodies all the time?
So, what foods are natural antivirals? Healthline published a wonderful article entitled 15 Impressive Herbs with Antiviral Activity and lists Oregano, Sage, Basil, Fennel, Garlic, Lemon Balm, Peppermint, Rosemary, Echinacea, Elderberry, Licorice, Astragalus, Ginger, Ginseng and Dandelion as herbs and plants we should include in our diet. Consider using Oregano, Sage, Basil, Rosemary, Garlic and Ginger in your favorite recipes; these herbs are wonderful in homemade soups and stews, for flavoring meat marinades, essential in most Mediterranean and Italian dishes, and add tons of great flavor too. Check out this super helpful chart from Farmer’s Daughter Herbs for more suggestions and direction for using these delicious, antiviral and popular culinary herbs. Fennel bulbs are delicious sliced thin and sautéed in butter or olive oil. Lemon Balm, Peppermint, Echinacea, Ginger, and Ginseng can be steeped in hot water for a wonderful tea, and Elderberry, Astragalus and Dandelion are typically available as nutritional supplements.
All health professionals are encouraging people to eat well, get plenty of sleep and exercise, and to boost their immune system with natural antivirals to stay as healthy as possible during the covid-19 pandemic. Dr. Oz specifically recommends Vitamin D (from the sun if you can get it!), vitamin C, zinc and elderberry as his top 4 essential supplements. This article and the accompanying video clips from the Today Show includes Dr. Oz’s Coronavirus Survival Protocol which many families will find quite helpful.
Interested in adding elderberry to your daily diet? Norm’s Farms makes a variety of products from our farm grown elderberries. Check out our four delicious elderberry liquid supplements and our new organic elderberry gummies with Vitamin C, zinc and probiotics. Our Elderberry Wellness Syrup makes a delicious hot tea too-just add 1 tablespoon to about 6 ounces of hot water.
]]>The CDC provides a very helpful flu tracking website which provides information about where flu outbreaks are occurring and other very helpful information, like how this year’s flu season compares to previous years, how flu spreads from one person to another, when those sick with the flu are most contagious and recommended treatments for the flu.
These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. | GRADE * |
Early research suggests that elder may have antiviral benefits. One study found that elderberry juice may improve flu symptoms such as fever, fatigue, headache, sore throat, cough, and aches, in less than half the usual recovery time of the flu. However, the study was small, and it should be noted that the berries must be cooked to prevent nausea or poisoning. In another study, elderberry appeared to improve cough, fever, headache, mucus discharge, muscle aches, and nasal congestion. More research is needed before firm conclusions can be made. | B |
Evidence on the use of elder alone for bronchitis is lacking. The combination product Sinupret®, which contains elder, has been used to treat acute bronchitis and sinus infection. There is some evidence that Sinupret® may have benefits for this condition compared to other medications. More information is needed. | C |
Early study suggests that a combination product containing elder may help treat chronic constipation in as little as two days. More research is needed before firm conclusions can be made. | C |
Elder has been used in combination with other products to reduce gum disease and inflammation. Significant results were seen four days after treatment. A combination mouthwash containing elder significantly decreased gum disease when used three times daily for 14 days. Further study is needed on the possible effects of elder alone. | C |
Early study suggests that long-term elderberry use may lack heart health benefits in postmenopausal women. More research is needed in this area. | C |
Evidence on the use of elder alone as a treatment for high cholesterol is lacking. One study reports that elder may have benefits for people with this condition. However, more research is needed in this area. | C |
Limited study has looked at elder for sinus infection in humans. Combination products containing elder (such as Sinupret®) have been reported to have benefits when used with antibiotics. Research suggests that such products may help improve swelling, drainage, headache, and nasal congestion. More evidence is needed on the possible benefits of elder alone. | C |
Elderberry has been studied for possible weight loss benefits. A significant difference has been seen in body weight, blood pressure, and quality of life. However, further study is needed before conclusions may be made. | C |
* Key to grades A: Strong scientific evidence for this use B: Good scientific evidence for this use C: Unclear scientific evidence for this use D: Fair scientific evidence for this use (it may not work) F: Strong scientific evidence against this use (it likely does not work) |