How to Make Elderberry Syrup to Prevent the Flu

Sambucus nigra and allied spp. are powerful plants. Studies have proven that extracts from the berries provide resistance to 10 different strands of Influenza A and B including H1N1. This happens by antivirin coating the receptors of flu viruses in your system thereby disabling them from replicating in your cells. No other plant can tout such effectiveness.



Taken throughout flu season and during illness, children and adults alike will show resistance or recover rapidly. Found throughout the United States, Sambucus melanocarpa and caerulea. (black and blue only) can be harvested during the month of September. Red Elderberry is potentially toxic and should not be harvested or used. Blue and Black berries should still be cooked down to release the cyanide in the berries. Syrups, tinctures and even jam or pies can be made in a short time.


Rich in antioxidants, bioflavonoids, anthocyanins and Vitamins A, B and C this is a vital herbal ally for our home.

How to Make Elderberry Syrup
3 cups Fresh Black Elderberries or 1 cup dried
3 cups water
1 cup local honey

Bring water and berries to a boil then cover and simmer for 30 minutes
Mash berries and boil and additional 5 minutes

Strain through a fine mesh strainer or jelly bag overnight or for at least 8 hours for Juice to develop
Add Honey to the Juice

Add Juice of One Lemon to Preserve
Bottle and Refrigerate

Adults
Take 1 teaspoon for daily maintenance
Take 2 teaspoons 4x a day when under the weather

Children 15months and older

Use a Medicine Dropper
Provide 1 drop for every 5lbs with mild cases of illness
During intense bouts offer half teaspoon for every 10lbs 2x daily (illness peaks day 3 and 4 typically)

Children under 6 months

Elderberry passes through breastmilk

Children 6-15 months

Offer Extract of Elderberry Juice without the Honey(follow recipe above including juice of 1 lemon and bottle after Juice has strained-skip the honey)

Quantity is same a Medicine dropper above

So why does the CDC and other Health Venues push Vaccines?

**I offer this information for those still riding the fence with allopathic drug use, for others making a move to more conscious ways of health and healing and for most who have little time to research. All below information and links were gleaned from the CDC, FDA and other recognized government agencies and open to the public eye. Take a look for yourself. **

Good Question-Most Likely Capitalist Economics. That's right drug companies make a lot of money from vaccines and provide monetary promotion to senators and representatives that push their products and even pass legislation (ie. Frist of Tennessee pushed (PREPA)-received over $250,000 from the pharmaceutical world prior to the ACT going through in 2006).

There is mounting evidence of the dangers and complications of vaccines for children. The September 2009 release of H1N1 vaccine is targeting-infants, children and nursing and pregnant women. The four drug companies involved state clearly on the safety sheets that they have not tested nor can validate the safety of vaccines for the above stated population. This really leaves one to wonder the full intention of vaccinating when the risk is unknown.

Furthermore, drug companies, health care providers and other associated with the development, processing and administering of all flu vaccines are released of all liability involving complications thanks to the 2006 Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness Act . Interesting how the "Swine Flu" with mild cases in the US winter is now a "pandemic" (June 25th, 2009 amendment to PREPA) and untested vaccines including adjuvants are being administered with no recourse or accountability. Seriously, this is a real act with amendments being made continuously to protect big business from lawsuits. Read over all these government provided links on "countermeasures" during pandemics above. Those into allopathic medicine have lost all litigation rights.

The health boards recommendation and the drug companies findings are conflicting. Why are they vaccinating pregnant/nursing women and children if they do not know the long term effects. This is suspect and should Raise Much Concern Not Short of Alarm with Vaccines for H1N1 and other Influenza A and B Vaccines.

Information below is provided by the FDA. This information should be fully digested as you have no rights if you experience negative side effects thanks to the PREP ACT. Informed decisions verse blind faith is critical to you and yours health.

Novartis

CSL Limited

Sanofi Pasteur

MedImmune

Not only do they all contain thimerosol(mercury) allowable for "countermeasures" regardless of state and federal recommendations to ban mercury in vaccines.

Other issues include

1. No Guarantee of Immunity-routes of infection are through mucous membranes not dermal injection. Dermal injection typically leads to autoimmune diseases as your immune system attacks the foreign bodies at the site of injection.

2. Triggers- allergic reactions in those sensitive to eggs(the H1N1 flu virus is grown on embryo's of hens)

3. The arsenal of side effects to be expected: Guillian-Barre Syndrome, encephalopathy, partial facial paralysis, brachial plexus neuropathy, anaphylaxis, lymphodenopathy and the list goes on to include headaches, pain, rashes, inflammation, flu symptoms etc. This is all listed under the four drug companies safety sheets above.

4. Contains Squalene-an adjuvunt added to stretch the virus to make 4x more of the vaccine-associated with debilitating neurological diseases like Gulf War Syndrome and Rheumatoid Arthritis. Squalene was banned in US drugs as late as 2006 but now can be used in "countermeasure" for pandemics

Fortunately, the majority of the population has the sense to not be swayed by propaganda and only roughly 100 million people buy into a flu shot of one kind. However, the hype involved with "children not showing immunity" as this is a strain from the 70's and "children are congregating and sharing public space"etc..etc.etc-let's make sure we inject millions of young healthy children with a vaccine-untested and with materials known to cause a gamut of illness's? Seriously? 144 children have died this year from bacterial infections post flu illness. If your child contracts the flu and you are worried about post bacterial infections-follow up with antibiotics. Once the antibiotic round is through offer yogurt and probiotics to rebuild healthy bacteria.

Typically noxious bacterial levels can be kept at bay by simply offering probiotics on a regular schedule(create a competitive environment with the good and bad bacteria), eating yogurt and simply not taking antibiotics for every little illness.

Other immune boosting and treatment options include Homeopathy as well as, Herbal Tinctures and Teas. Anas barbariae also known as occillococcinium is a homeopathic nosode and (quote below taken from Dana Ullman-Homeopathic Medicine for Children and Infants)

"proven remedy effective in treating the flu. It is particularly effective if it is taken during the first 48 hours of the onset of the flu"

Echinacea tincture can also be offered to improve immunity and eliminate infection-Dosage is 1 drop per 5lbs of body weight in mild cases and 1 drop per 2lbs during intense periods. Look for a glycerine extract.

Teas of chamomile, lavender and lemon balm are quite soothing and can consumed on a daily basis and especially during illness. Even added to a bath can be relieving for children and adults. Lemon Balm is antiviral with mild sedative properties with no side effects other than peace and relaxation.

Overall, forget about siphoning through the media out there-if you are considering flu vaccines for your little one-ask your physician for the safety sheets that are linked above. Request titer test to validate antibodies were developed.

Or better yet-be confident in you and yours immune system, eat well, allow for full recovery and down some elderberry.

Further Reading

Naturally Healthy Babies and Children-A Commmonsense guide to Herbal Remedies, Nutrition and Health-Aviva Jill Romm

Medicinal Plants of the Pacific West-Michael Moore

Return Old Sigg Bottles for BPA-Free Sigg Bottles

The Woes and Worries of BPA continues. Word is Sigg Bottles produced before 2008 have a epoxy lining laden with BPA. The Good News is you can mail the bottles in(you cover the postage) to recieve a BPA-FREE Sigg Bottle for FREE of Comparable Size and Design.

You must return bottles by October 31st 2009. Follow this link for printing proper labels and instructions.

This is the powerful result of collective dissent voicing their concerns via blogging and twittering. Results were seen within one month. Just imagine what else we can accomplish on so many other civil and social spheres.

Link between Physcial Activity and Cognitive Function

Walkers, yet another parent convenient toy you can do without for many reasons but mainly because they delay walking and can even prevent crawling, are dangerous and lack mental stimulation and they've been outright banned in Canada from being sold, advertised or imported (the US AAP is pushing for the same).
What's wrong with walkers? Where do I begin. Walkers overdevelop calf and ankle muscles while doing nothing for stomach, thigh and hip muscles. This occurs primarily in the "sit in" walkers. In addition they confuse and slow the developing mind of a child who has yet to learn to crawl, sit up or otherwise scoot their way across the floor on their own. Babies need to be aware visually of how their body works. Walkers block the view of feet and legs. The walk behind or push walkers are less damaging to the muscle development but still can cause irregular development with weight not being directly applied over the hips.
Now on the other hand if your child has started walking on their own without assistance and consciously chooses items like bar stools, chairs, tricycles, boxes or whatever else they deem suitable as walkers-no harm there. Their muscles are properly developing and they are simply being cognitively creative to propel themselves through space.
It may seem harsh to deem walkers as parent convenient toys but typically walkers are for those who want to pop their little one in and merrily go on their way of doing "other" things. Did you know walkers are the leading cause of injuries of all "baby products". They are simply a false security on so many levels. A baby can propel themselves quickly toward stairs-even ones with gates and with considerable force break through. Over 75% of accidents involve stairs.
Studies have concluded walkers are not beneficial for physical or mental development. Even with this knowledge parents continue to use these devices. It's really important to think long term here as well. Feeling your child is occupied and content while in reality they are far less active in their physical motor development and mental development. They are not working on crawling, scooting or other creative ways to move across the floor. This is lost physical time. They are not discovering how their bodies can enable them. They are not "reaching" for objects with earnest physical effort. This is not the normal progression of development.
Walkers will have long term affects in the preschool and primary school years. Children who used walkers early on are less physically active in those later years. Break down your childs' day of physcial mobility and inactivity (sitting in carseat, high chair or other restrained device). The majority of their waking day should be physical with very little restraint.
In addition, the majority of walkers are large hunks of plastic. Which if you are not yet aware come from petroleum and do not break down readily. Minimize your landfill load and interact with your child at the level their at instead.
Call me crazy but really ponder the use of baby-sitter and baby-sat when screening for caregivers during the baby and toddler years. Sitting the baby in a bouncer, excersaucer, walker, jumper or tv is detrimental to their development and health. Cognitive learning and physcial activity are imperative for a balanced being. If you really want to get down to the science of learning, the same part of the brain processes learning, physical activity and music. If you are questioning learning and desks-I'm right there with you.
Anyway, give your baby every opportunity to take advantage of the early days of motor development. Try playing with water, painting, playing or listening to music, baking, gardening, swimming, baby yoga or even- you become their prop-you'll both be stronger by your chooses today.

Vinegar the All-Purpose Cleaning Warrior

How do I count the ways of Vinegar use? You can clean your house, clean your ears, wash your hair face and use on sunburns, boost your laundry, clean diapers, and pickle food. If anyone knows where I can purchase a 50 gallon drum or make my own please let know. I'm looking into fermenting apples later today and hopefully will discover how to make apple cider vinegar.

My only household cleaner is 50/50 vinegar and water with a few drops of essential oils like tea tree, lemon, eucalyptus, peppermint, lavender and myrrh. Fill in a spritz bottle and clean the counters, floor, sinks, windows(use newspaper here), handles and cupboards. I have a crawling-walking 1 year old and we can eat off the floor.

For a little extra scrubbing action and excitement use some baking soda in the tub and sinks. Besides buffing hard water stains it will also unclog drains and is fun to watch(remember those science volcanoes of yesteryear?)

Plus, it's cheap. No need to buy expensive "organic" cleaning products when vinegar will do the trick. Eliminate bleach, windex, ant-bacterial soaps and other toxic cleaners from your home. If you can't eat it don't clean with it! If your interested in learning more on common household products and their detrimental health effects read this book.

To make an all purpose ear cleaner for after swimming or even for you doggie-Mix 50/50 alcohol and vinegar add a drop of lavender or tea tree and drop into ear.

For super shiny, healthy, stronger hair-pour apple cider vinegar over a fresh jar of nettles leaves and let sit for 1 week. Strain and use 2 tablespoons per 1 cup of water as a hair rinse-If using dried leaves use 3 tablespoons per 8 oz mason jar for a strong brew.

Spray in full concentration on poison ivy-spotted knapweed and your other least favorite weeds.

Organic Plastic Food for Thought

Yes, you read right-Organic Plastic Food. How can this be? Even if you avoid canned and plastic packaged foods and buy items in glass the lids contain a "rubber like" seal made from plastic-bpa containing plastic. So here in lies the "convenient parent" dilemma. For those who purchase their baby food instead of making from scratch-your consumer options for bpa food is virtually non existent.



Here in lies the importance of making your own food- baby or otherwise from raw ingredients.



Oh the woes of the "not enough time" to make your own food-Enter the Pressure Cooker. Not only does it save



-time



-energy



-money



But you can be assured of a bpa free food experience.



I love my pressure cooker. I just add a little Super C to naturally preserve carrots, apples and other fruits and veggies if I'm not eating them right away.


Say hello to potatoes in 10 minutes, rice in 20, applesauce in 5 minutes. Plus you have to plenty to freeze, can or refrigerate for later use.



Some of you may be thinking- Come on what's the big deal about bpa, the FDA says it okay, who cares if Europe has banned it and the health nuts are just raving mad. Well take a look at your own health, your parents health and national statistics of



Cancer



Hormone and Thyroid Dysfunction



Endocrine Disruptor Health Issues



You see BPA mimics estrogen thereby increasing your estrogen hormone levels significantly. This article on baby food sights bpa level a 1ppb in a single baby food jar. That's the average, some had levels in the 7+ppbillion. That sounds pretty insignificant numerically except that natural hormone levels ride a pptrillion not billion.



Therefore, your slamming your system or your little ones with estrogen. As consumers you have the a purchase power voice. Stop buying items that contain plastic and email or write letters to companies that continue to use plastic in their products. Here's a hit list



-Baby Food Jars with metal lids



-Tetra Pak Containers



rice, soy, hemp milks, orange juice etc



-Any food or beverage product in plastic


-#7 Plastics


-canned food





Some other BPA items include your old nalgenes (this will pass through breastmilk), teflon, dental fillings, plastic children toys and rubber duckies.

Wool and Fevers

Like shorts and a tank top in the snow in June-who would think wool would keep you cool!

Yet again I am in awe of the amazing healing properties of wool. As a temperature regulator, wool acts by pulling heat away from the body when too much is radiating as well as insulating if the body is drawing heat in.

In terms of fevers wool couldn't be better to keep a temperture in check. My little one just went through a high fever of 101-103+ for 3 days. Temperatures were peaking at night as the fever worked it's healing magic. We left him undressed* at night laying on his wool pad and covered him with his wool blanket. His radiating body was kept comfortable with the wool pulling heat away from his body and keeping him drytoo.

Body temperture for youngsters needs to be monitored to minimize seizures during fevers. Wool or Hemp are ideal choices for temperture regulation and healing properties. Polyester and other synthetic fibers do not breathe and quickly overheat your body. During the daytime-merino wool, hemp and cotton clothes are a must if sick or otherwise.

We also sleep on wool beds and wool pillows. Our wool beds and pillows only require some sun and air to freshen up and sanitize. Wool does not harbor dust-mites and is naturally anti-bacterial. Both beds will likely last 50+ years without showy the slightest bit of lumpiness. The cost is substantially higher up front-but you can imagine the savings over a lifetime. Plus no old mattresses filling up the landfills. Both beds come from Northern California Sheep Farmers.

Considering the amount of time one spends in slumber-bedding should be non toxic, breathable, temperature regulating and healing. The majority of mattresses are treated with fire retardent and off gass tremendously. Both can lead to acute and chronic illness. I haven't been sick once in the 3 years we've had our bed. This is in combination of eating only fresh organic veggies, fruit and grains-and virtually no packaged foods.

*On another note. Our little one has been diaper-free since nine months including at night. I encourage establishing elimination communication with your baby as early as possible. It really provides substantial freedom in terms of laundry-traveling and daily living as well as understanding yet another of your childs basic needs. (There is a previous post on how to go about this process)

For the occassional miss in the evening we use an organic wool puddle pad. The moisture is quickly wicked from his body and absorbed into the fibers without leaking through to the mattress. Some puddle pads out there are quite toxic so do some research. They are breathing in close contact with their bedding so even a wool barrier would be beneficial. Try some diaper free nights on wool-and relish in how comfortable your baby feels.

If your child wears diapers-organic hemp or cotton are the most breathable and should be worn without a cover especially in the evenings. Dark, wet environments harbor bacteria, yeast and are definetly uncomfortable especially if they don't breathe.

During the warmer months babies love fresh air blowing on their bare skin. Leave them undressed and let them enjoy the summer air, for at least part of the day, if not all day. Fresh Air and Sunshine are healers of diaper rash, fussiness and foster giggles and calm in children of all ages..They'll spend the majority of their lives clothed-let them live a little now.

To receive an extra 10% off and free shipping on your next wool puddle pad order-just mention "Wooly Worms are Winter Weather Predicters" during check out.

Arnica Salve your Herbal Sidekick

Well Spring is finally in the mix here in Montana and the flowers are popping. One of my favorites is Arnica montana. A beautiful yellow flower full of medicinal properties. Primarily used for sore muscles, bruises and broken bones-topically it is a strong medicinal herb.

The medicinal constituents consist of

sesquiterpene lactones of the helenanolid type mostly ester derivatives of helenalin and 11,13-dihydrohelenalin

flavonoids -isoquercitrin, luteolin-7-glucoside, and astragalin

volatile oil with thymol and its derivatives,

phenol carbonic acid chlorogenic acid, cynarin, caffeic acid

coumarins umbelliferone, scopoletin

The extraction can be completed with and organic oil like olive-safflower or hemp or by tincturing with 100 proof alcohol.

The oil extraction can be rapid by simmering the fresh flower in oil for a few hours-watch that it doesn't boil. You can also pull the properties by allowing the arnica to sit in a mason jar of organic oil for a few months before using.

A little beeswax is then added to the oil to make a salve.

The alchohol tincture can infuse for several months or longer then added to aloe vera gel or foot and hand baths.

The fresh flower is best collected on a cool dry morning when the flowers have just popped. You'll want to fill your jar full of flower heads then top with oil. Shake daily for the first week, then allow to sit for at least a month.

Great for bumps and brusies and overworked muscles. If you'd like your own travel tube of arnica-for backpacking trips or quick use at home, during travels or for your little one(crawling and walking is hard work!)-I have a fresh batch up for grabs.