We restocked 2 gallons of our Elderberry Aronia syrup today! It's that time of year!
Our Elderberry Aronia syrup is crafted in a nickel free stainless steel pot with fluoride free water from a beautifu clean UP spring (more on Spring water at the end).. There's nothing better than living water. The herbs soak for 20+ minutes and then are cooked for 80 minutes. After the decoction has cooled the local raw honey is added, keeping the medicinal properties intact. We use Organic Elderberries, Organic Astragalus Root, Organic Aronia Berries, Organic Schisandra, Organic Olive Leaf, Organic Ceylon Cinnamon, Organic Ginger Root, and Organic Cloves. 
These herbs come together for a powerhouse immune supportive herbal syrup that aids with digestion as well.  Let's meet the plants! And remember, this is just information based on traditional use as well as modern day studies, always consult a MP before starting an herbal regimen. Elderberries have been used for centuries to help with the immune system. Modern day studies have shown just how effective they are and really brought them to light. Elderberries have an antioxidant called anthocyanin-which is one of the main reasons it’s so effective. Anthocyanin helps eliminate free radicals. Elderberries also have anti viral properties which have proven to prevent and/or reduce the severity and duration of cold and flu symptoms. Elder has also been shown to block viral attachment to the ACE-2 linkages. ACE-2 is the entry point for the virus into cellular tissues and once the virus attaches-function declines or is destroyed.
     Aronia berries have also been used for ages, originally by indigenous peoples for illness. They have proven themselves in modern day studies to have high polyphenols and antioxidant activity. Similar to Elderberries, they also contain anti viral properties. Their delicate flavor is also delightful. I fell in love with Aronia berries when I learned of their benefits to our intestinal health. We know that when our digestive tract is not performing, we also arent absorbing. 
Olive leaf is commonly used for respiratory infections and is antimicrobial. It’s been used to strengthen the immune system as a preventative measure as well as aiding the body to help actively fight bacterial, fungal and viral infections. It works on the cellular level mainly due to its oleuropein. Another great benefit of olive leaf is even though it is antibacterial, it only deactivates bad bacteria while protecting the good bacteria. Olive leaf protects the cilia-which are part of the cells in the lungs.The Berberine in the Olive Leaf is a great anti inflammatory, which is needed especially in the lungs.
Astragalus Root is another gentle herb that has also been used for centuries to help strengthen the immune system. As well as being a cytokine modulator. It has been shown to stimulate specific parts of our immune system (lymphocytes and monocytes) which helps the body fight viruses. It is a great source of antioxidants which again help fight off free radicals. Along with it’s antiviral properties it also carries antibacterial properties. It’s also an adaptogen which helps wthe body adapt to excess stress (and we know how stress can affect us) and has even been shown in modern day studies to help protect the liver, kidneys and heart. 
 Then we have Schisandra. Its modulating in nature, so it supports you when needed while not being stimulating. Schisandra potentiates glutathione and supports the immune system but it's also an adaptogen. This means it balances the body's functions and maintains homeostasis. Schisandra is used to support cognitive function and mental clarity and focus. It's helpful support to energy levels, and even supports the circulatory system. It supports a healthy inflammatory response, improves digestion. I could go on and on! The best part, is the synergy this herb has is incredible. Schisandra works so well with the other herbs in our formula. 
The other herbs in the syrup are a bit more common, so I won’t go as in depth with them. They are Ceylon Cinnamon, Ginger Root, Cloves and Lemon Peel. It’s important to use Ceylon Cinnamon because other forms of cinnamon (like Cassia) can be harmful in medicinal doses. Ceylon Cinnamon has polyphenols which help fight oxidative stress. It has been shown to be high in procyanidins and lectins. Ginger root has a pretty long list of benefits, including being helpful for respiratory issues curing colds and coughs. Cloves also have antiviral, antibacterial and antioxidant properties. Last but not least there’s Lemon Peel, which not only give this syrup a wonderful flavor but is also packed with vitamin C! This strong decoction is then combined with local raw honey which in itself has antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal properties. It has an impressive amount of vitamins and minerals and is a natural preservative.
Now a bit about living water. I'm so incredibly thankful to have  access to this water to drink and for our elixirs. And the forest this artesian spring is in is seriously magical.
"The water we drink begins entering our bloodstream in about 5 minutes. At the molecular level, we are over 99% water. This liquid can either be the foundation of our health or sickness depending on the quality. There is much debate about the best kind of water to drink.
Often, we grow up being taught that water straight from the earth is dangerous, yet all water comes from nature. We do not create water. We just process it. Our ancestors gathered & drank unprocessed spring water from nature.
Good spring water comes from aquifers deep underground. The power of spring water is that it goes through the earth’s natural filtration system. Sometimes, this means moving up through hundreds of thousands of feet of filtration material. It’s hard to believe that a few feet in a water machine could be better than that. Spring water is also abundant in healthy minerals such as silica, magnesium and calcium and contains healthy microbes and probiotics. However, some springs are unfortunately contaminated due to things like fracking, so it is vitally important to make sure to test the spring before drinking from it.
Another benefit of spring water is that it comes up from the earth structured which means the molecules are arranged in cohesive hexagonal form. This is also how water is said to contain memory. Within each of water’s cells, there are 440,000 information panels. And as physicist  Rustum Roy said, “it may be the single most malleable computer.”
A lot of tap water contains contaminants that are detrimental to human health including chlorine and fluoride. Tap water in certain cities is recycled waste water. Filters can be good at removing most of these compounds, but that creates a water with no healthy minerals, and doesn’t address structure. 
Bottled water presents more problems. The majority of bottled water is processed with ultra violet light and ozone gas for shelf stability and cheaper transport. This destroys healthy microbes or probiotics, which our bodies are biologically adapted to thrive from. To make matters worse many bottled water companies are drilling and depleting aquifers, which destroys habitats and connected natural springs as well.
Collecting fresh pristine spring water is the perfect option for our health and the health of the planet.
Changing the water you drink changes the waters you are made of and greatly improves health. Once you drink pristine living spring water, it’s hard to drink anything else"
I hope you love this herbal syrup as much as we do! This has been a staple during this time of year for our family for years, as far back as I've been working with herbs.