This post is in partnership with NOW®. All opinions are my own.
I don’t know about you but I’m already seeing Facebook statuses, instagram stories, and tweets about the seasonal struggles hitting friends and family. It’s that time of the year when we’re all bundled up inside and germs seem to spread much too easy.
While there are definitely natural ways to cope with seasonal challenges, like these great ideas for when you’re on the go, I prefer to try to head them off before they even start! There are lots of natural options to support your winter health and one of my current favorites is elderberries!
What are elderberries?
Elderberries are a small blue and blackish berry that grows in bunches as the fruit of the Sambucus tree. They also produce small white and cream elderflowers, but the berries are what are most often used.
Elderberries have been used for centuries because of their believed health benefits. I am loving the trend that I’m seeing of elderberries being used more commonly in today’s time. They are believed to help boost the immune system, with high levels of antioxidants, and have long been used by herbalists to maintain health and well-being.
So many people are looking to use more natural options to maintain their health and elderberries are an obvious choice because of their long history of being used for these same purposes. Today I’m sharing 4 ways you can use elderberries to help maintain your winter health!
4 Ways to Use Elderberry for Winter Health
Elderberry Syrup
Elderberry syrup is probably the most known way to consume elderberries. A friend of mine actually held an “Elderberry Syrup Making Party” a few weeks ago! It was a fun time to get together with friends while making syrup that could be used for the upcoming cold days of winter.
While making your own syrup is always a possibility, NOW has a liquid version of this supplement available that is shelf stable and perfect for your cabinets.
Elderberry Supplements
One thing I love about taking supplements from NOW is the fact that they come in so many different forms. I’m not a fan of liquids or pills, so the chew-able options are always what I reach for when it comes to vitamins and supplements.
These Elderberry & Zinc Lozenges are perfect to have on hand to help maintain winter health and they taste great too*. They’re a great way to have elderberries close by and can be taken 1 to 3 times daily.
Elderberry Tea
One of my favorite drinks to enjoy during cold, winter days is definitely tea and I’m loving this TLC blend. It’s a caffeine-free seasonal well-being blend that is not too sweet, but a perfect cup to enjoy any time of the day. Remember how chicken soup felt when you were feeling under-the-weather as a child? Yep, this tea is just as good as that!
The tea features blends of Elderberry, Eucalyptus leaves, Ginger Root, and more for a perfect winter blend. I also want to say that I LOVE NOW tea bags because of their no-staple design and unbleached bags.
Elderberry Water Mixes
Vitamin C drink mixes are a great way to maintain your health and these Effer-C Elderberry Packets kick it up a notch! Not only do they offer 1,000mg of Vitamin C, they supply a full complement of B Vitamins as well as seven minerals to support energy production and help restore important electrolytes. They also contain elderberry powder and are perfect for on-the-go health.
If you’re looking for ways to add in elderberries to your daily routine to help maintain winter health, these 4 options are an easy and great way to do just that!
More Natural Tips to Stay Healthy During Winter
While adding healthy supplements is a great way to maintain your health during winter, here are some other great ideas.
Drink lots of water.
Cold, dry winter air definitely takes a toll on our health and our skin. I always try to drink even more water during the winter to stay healthy.
Use essential oils.
If you’re looking for ways to stay healthy naturally, you likely have heard of essential oils. Some ways that I use essential oils more in the winter are by diffusing certain blends like Nature’s Shield, which is comparable to Thieves.
I also loving making these shower disks, also with the Nature’s Shield blend. And while hand washing is super important, having a bottle of hand sanitizer is always a good idea. I love making my own and use this recipe that is alcohol-free and kid-safe!
Run a humidifier.
Growing up, my Mom always put a tin can on top of the heat vents. It turns out that she was making her own humidifier during the winter. While I don’t do that, I do run a humidifier all winter long to help with the dryness that the season brings along.
While many people could benefit from these natural ideas any time of the year, health is at the forefront in fall and winter seasons.
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
Caution: Essential oils are highly concentrated and can be irritating to skin. Use with care. Dilute essential oils as directed, do not exceed dilutions recommended for this recipe. For adult use only. Keep out of reach of children. Not for internal use. Avoid contact with eyes.