Make Your Own Flu Fighter Potion and Prevent Viral Invasion!

Since I believe health encompasses much more than just skincare, I bring a great resource to your kitchen and invite you to naturally strengthen your immune system this winter!

The kids are back to school, the weather is turning cold, viruses are getting rampant and our immune system is taking a hit. Just this past week, a personal friend and pediatric physician reported he saw over 60 patients in one day with viral related issues. THE TIME IS NOW TO CREATE YOUR OWN HEALTH PLAN- AND HEALTH POTION!

Elderberry could quite possibly be the most perfect flu-season berry. After all, elderberries contain compounds that inhibit the flu virus enzyme from even penetrating the cell membrane. If the virus is unable to penetrate the cell wall, the virus will not be able to replicate and you are left with your health intact. Once penetration occurs, rapid replication of the virus occurs. Symptoms will be mild and often display as vague, as the immune system attempts to conquer the viral load. Because the flu virus is so potent and rapidly replicates, it easily overtakes the immune system very quickly.

BUT… if you can prevent viral-cell penetration, you can beat the flu even before you know it has arrived at your membranes!

I know all about cellular function. By education and practice, my Nursing Anesthesia career is built upon lipid soluble drugs that pass through the cell membrane to induce anesthetic sleep.

I understand the ramifications that occur when unwanted toxins (a virus is a toxin), penetrates the cell membrane and causes damage. My skincare line, Primal Life Organics was built upon this knowledge. Once inside a cell, the intruder becomes one with the cell and can even destroy or mutate the DNA of the cell. Sickness, cancer, endocrine disruption, altered immune function and inflammations can all be the result of cellular invasion of any kind (viral, chemical, toxin) whether from the environment (flu or skincare) or food.

So, I made my skincare products to improve my health. I want a strong immune system to help fight any uncontrollable and random exposures to chemicals and viruses. By feeding my skin and body the nutrients that support a healthy cell wall membrane, I increase the chances that my cells will prevent invasion by foreign substances. If by chance the substance does penetrate, my body is functioning optimally and has better defenses for neutralizing and eliminating the source with minimal insult.

But when flu season hits, I want extra protection! I trust my cell membranes, however, I know how strong the viral infestation can be and because of this, I go above and beyond the normal, everyday vitamins, probiotics, fish oil and kombucha.

I BREW MY OWN FLU-FIGHTER POTION!! (And it’s really easy… and the kids will swallow it!!)

Elderberries are little powerhouses- take advantage of what they do! Since they inhibit cellular membrane penetration from the flu virus, they therefore prevent invasion of the respiratory tract cells. Elderberries are especially great for preventing bronchitis, colds, coughs and influenza!

Before I give you my Simple and Easy Flu Fighter Potion, you should know what elderberries contain! They are loaded with vitamin C, antioxidants, potassium, beta-carotene, calcium, and phosphorus Elderberries also contain natural substances called flavonoids which help reduce swelling, fight inflammation, and boost the immune system. Cinnamon and cloves offer intense immune boosting properties- and they add just a hint of natural flavor to the elderberry.

What do you have to loose- beside a week home with the flu!

Flu Fighter Potion by Trina Felber
1C Dried Elderberries (I prefer Organic and purchase from here)

7C Water

1C Raw Honey (local preferred)

2  Cinnamon Sticks

6   Cloves

 

In a saucepan, bring berries and water to a boil. Reduce heat and let simmer for 30 minutes. You can also make in a crockpot, set on a medium setting. Remove from heat and let cool for 15 minutes. Strain elderberries from liquid.

Let juice cool to room temperature, or place in the fridge. DO NOT ADD HONEY TO HOT LIQUID (the heat could destroy the beneficial nutrients of the honey).

Once cooled, add the honey and mix. Store in any glass container in the fridge

Children: 1/2 – 1 tsp a day
Adults: ½ – 1 Tbsp a day

At first sign of any symptoms, increase intake. I take a dose every 2-3 hours until symptoms subside. If my kids get sick, I increase everyone’s dose to 3-4 times a day.

I cannot say you will not get sick, but I believe in prevention. If I give my immune system the tools it needs to function properly, quite possibly, an infestation might not occur, or at least not be as powerful!

***Since I love essential oils and the added benefit they bring, I love to include a few in my potion. My kids do not like the taste of the essential oils, so rarely do I add any to theirs. Essential oils have amazing antiviral, antifungal, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory properties and help boost the immune system- but make sure they are food grade and safe to ingest. You can add 5-10 drops of the essential oils you choose to approximately 8 ounces of Flu-Fighter Potion. These are my choices:
Lemon
Peppermint
Clove bud
Ginger
Frankincense,
Orange

 

When feeling Under The Weather, I also LOVE making a batch of my Ginger Wellness Tea:

1 inch chunk of fresh ginger thinly sliced

16 oz boiling water

2 cinnamon sticks

6 whole cloves

1 star anise pod

1 heaping Tbs honey

juice of a lemon wedge(optional)

Prepare ginger, and spices and combine in a large thermos.  Add boiling water and cover.  Let sit 30-60 minutes. (I like it when it has sat for 60 minutes or longer)  Add honey before drinking. 

I leave this in a thermos and pour it out as needed.  I sip it throughout the day.  It is great for colds, soothes sore throats, and coughs, breaks fevers, quells nausea, and fights stomach bugs.

Happy Potioning!!