Tis the Season for Elder Berry Syrup and Extract

The bulk herbs are 5% off in December. I tend to stock up on a few each time. This time of year a great one to get is Elder Berry!  Elder Berry has a history of fighting infections including influenza, herpes, viral infections and bacterial infections. Use it to make a great tasting extract that everyone in your family will love. Extracts are easy to make and alcohol extracts last years if stored in a cool dark place. Elder Berry is also available in bulk, extract and capsules, scroll down a bit to see the choices on the link.

Make a kid-friendly Elder Berry Syrup

• 1/2 cup dried Elder Berries
• 3 cups distilled water
• 1 cup honey

Instructions

1. Place the berries in a saucepan and cover with water.
2. Bring just to a boil, reduce the heat and simmer over low heat for 30-45 minutes.
3. Remove the pan from the heat.Smash the elderberries using a potato masher.
4. Strain the mixture through a fine-mesh strainer.
5. Stir in 1 cup of honey (or more or less to your taste).
6. Bottle the syrup in a glass jar and store in the refrigerator, keeps for 3 months.

    I would purchase a full pound of the Elder Berry and make a batch of syrup and use the rest to make an alcohol extract. The alcohol can always be simmered off later and add honey or glycerine to sweeten. The extract will last years if stored in a cool dark place.

Now is the time to stock up on your winter needs. Order online at Herbs First or call 801-228-1901 to place your order today!

Have a great month!
Kathryn

Essential Oils for Christmas

The Holiday Season from Thanksgiving and Christmas and on through the New Year (if not longer) is diffusing season! Most families have people coming and going, and if you have kids in school or work a job, or go out shopping - you are exposed to sick people! The best way to keep from getting the illnesses that are rampant are to wash your hands often and keep your immune system high! No one likes to hear that sugar suppresses your immune system, but it does! Be wise with your sugar intake this time of year and if you have symptoms coming on stop eating it altogether!

            Everyone loves the smell of a live Christmas tree and the scents of the foods cooking with spices. You can diffuse these scents into the air and help your family be protected from the germs that spread in the air and around them. I like to use Advanced Aromatherapy Diffuser which is a nebulizer type diffuser that uses the oils straight from the bottle. They put very small particles of healing essential oils into the air and all around the room – I like using oils that are anti-viral anti-bacterial and antiseptic.

            Christmas Joy contains orange, cinnamon, and spruce essential oils.  These three oils are anti-viral anti-bacterial and antiseptic and also relieve anxiety and lifts the emotions. Such a great blend to use during the Christmas season and any time of the year!

            X-Plague has been my main go to oil any time I feel anything coming on. It contains Cloves, Lemon, Cinnamon Bark, Eucalyptus radiata and Rosemary. This blend is highly anti-viral and antiseptic to help protect the body from the onset of flu, E-coli, colds, sore throats and more. A great one to diffuse for the scent and protection!

            Many single oils such as Cedarwood, Cinnamon, Clove, Fir, Orange, Pine, Peppermint and Spruce are great oils to diffuse for the scent as well as health benefits.

Now is the time to stock up on your winter needs. Order online at Herbs First or call 801-228-1901 to place your order today!

Have a great month!
Kathryn