Winter Wellness: Elderberry for Immune Support

When seasonal shifts and everyday stressors take their toll on our vitality, we often look to herbalism to support our well-being. And while we love coming up with creative new formulations to keep us in good form, we frequently find ourselves turning to a few tried-and-true folk remedies to see us through times when our wellness is threatened. If you're looking to enlist your herbal allies to bolster your defenses, these three recipes are an excellent place to start! Organic ingredients for herbal remedies.

Organic ingredients for herbal remedies.

Our Top 3 Folk Remedies for Wellness

Homemade elderberry syrup supplies from Mountain Rose Herbs

1. HOW TO MAKE ELDERBERRY SYRUP FOR IMMUNE HEALTH

There's a wide array of herbs well-suited to addressing specific and general winter wellness goals, but one of our favorite choices for general immune support is the elderberry. Let Tieraona Low Dog, M.D., R.H. walk you through a classic elderberry syrup recipe and answer some commonly asked questions to provide important tips for beginners and advanced syrup-makers alike. Give it a try to keep your family in good health!

Homemade fire cider in a glass pantry jar is a deep yellow color and features organic herbs and spices like garlic, anise star pod, turmeric powder, rosemary, ginger root, and more.

2. TRADITIONAL FIRE CIDER RECIPE (AND 2 TANGY TWISTS)

Fire Cider is a popular (and tasty!) herbal folk remedy popularized by esteemed herbalist, Rosemary Gladstar (who inspired the recipe below). This tasty vinegar infusion powered by warming and wellness-supporting ingredients is an especially pleasant and easy way to boost natural health processes, stimulate digestion, and raise your internal thermostat on cold days. Mmm...mmm!...how we love this hot and sweet, zesty, vinegary recipe!

DIY Four Thieves essential oil blend ingredients.

3. DIY 4 THIEVES ESSENTIAL OIL BLEND

Many aromatherapists and natural wellness folks are familiar with a certain notorious essential oil blend of ne're-do-wells past, a mysterious potion based on a recipe that originated in the 15th century. According to legend, the concoction was created by a group of four thieves and grave robbers to protect themselves from contracting the plague while robbing the bodies of the ill and deceased. When apprehended, the thieves admitted to using the formula and disclosed the recipe in order to receive a less severe punishment for their crimes. Today, this essential oil blend is used in diffusers, natural cleaners, and DIY body care to ward off modern threats to our well-being.