*DISCLOSURE* Thank you to Vitacost for providing product samples in order to facilitate this post. All thoughts are strictly my own.
This time of year, I like to start stocking up on the essential herbs and vitamins I will need to keep the whole family healthy over cold and flu season. I love shopping for these things at Vitacost because they offer specialty diet essentials at an exceptional value. They offer a huge variety of herbs, vitamins, toiletries and so, so much more from brands you can trust and at great prices. Check out our latest order which included lots of bulk herbs and tea that we will use all fall and winter long to keep feeling our best and keep illness at bay. Then, read on to find out how we use each product in our daily wellness routines.
Frontier Natural Products Whole Elderberries
Elderberries are dark purple fruits with a sweet-tart, fruity flavor. They make tasty, warming winter cordials, teas, syrups and wines. Elderberries contain bioflavonoids and vitamin C.
Frontier Natural Products Rosehips
Rosehips, or rose haws, are the fruit of wild roses, also known as the "dog rose." They are a popular addition to a variety of herbal tea blends.
Frontier Co-Op Organic A Grade Korintje Cinnamon Powder
Cinnamon - that most popular of spices - comes from the bark of an evergreen tree. Cinnamon's sweet, spicy and warm fragrance adds pungent sweetness to your favorite baked goodies. You can also use it to add a depth of flavor to savory dishes as well.
We use these three ingredients in our elderberry syrup. The recipe for this amazing syrup that wards off colds, soothes sore throats and promotes overall wellness is included below.
Frontier Natural Products Peppermint Leaf Cut and Sifted
Peppermint is a hybrid of watermint and spearmint. Indigenous to Europe, it is now widely cultivated throughout the world.
Frontier Natural Products Lemon Ginger Herbal Tea
Another must-have for soothing upset stomachs and sore throats is this lovely herbal tea.
We will drink this tea all throughout the fall and winter months and just look at this beautiful blend:
Add a bit to hot water and steep for 5-7 minutes for a lovely cup of soothing warmth!
On to the power of elderberry syrup! Elderberries boost the immune system, fight and protect against bacterial and viral infections, reduce the symptoms and duration of a cold or the flu, help clear sinus infections, have natural diuretic effects and promote bowel movements. They are also anti-inflammatory, anti-carcinogenic and ease symptoms of allergies. Plus, they are high in vitamins A and C and antioxidants. As great as they are, pre-made elderberry syrups that can be purchased online and in-stores are often expensive and don't include pure, organic ingredients. No worries though, this super powered syrup can be made at home for a fraction of the cost when you use bulk herbs like these from Vitacost!
Here is our recipe for Elderberry Syrup, our go-to all-purpose concoction for pretty much anything that ails us, especially sore throats and early cold/flu symptoms.
Add 3 1/2 cups of water, 3/4 cups of elderberries, 1 1/2 tsp ground cloves, 1 T ginger, 1/2 tsp cinnamon to a pot, bring to a boil, turn down heat to low, cover and simmer for 45 minutes. Drain contents through a fine mesh sieve into a bowl or pot making sure to press out as much excess moisture as possible. Add 1 cup of honey while mixture is still hot and mix. We store our syrup in a glass jar in the fridge and take a spoonful daily, more often if we have a sore throat or are showing other signs of illness.
Vitacost has everything you need for this awesome syrup and everything you need to keep your whole family feeling well year round. With nearly 40,000 products, including specialty items that are organic, non-GMO and gluten free and tons of everyday savings and discounts, Vitacost is your one-stop shop for all things health and wellness!
Disclosure: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
