Natural Coronavirus Prevention

Everyone is very worried about the coronavirus, and while it is scary, we need to keep our concerns in the proper perspective. Watching the news is very frightening, and our hearts do go out to those in China where things seem to be the worst.

For people in the United States, however, the odds of contracting the disease are truly almost zero. You are much more likely to win the lottery and be struck by lightning. Thankfully, due to increased awareness and CDC precautions, we are even further protected.

Who knows what the future holds, but the precautions against the coronavirus are the same as what we need to do for combating the more common flu and respiratory infections- wash your hands frequently (and thoroughly- for at least 20 seconds), use hand sanitizer when unable to wash hands, and try to not touch your face with unwashed hands (especially the eyes, nose, and mouth). Also, trying to eat a healthier diet can help- both excess sugar and alcohol have been shown to depress the immune system.

In addition to lifestyle changes, there are several, well-researched supplements that can help with boosting the immune system, since a healthy immune system is the way to stay healthy. Every day we come into contact with bacteria and viruses that our immune systems work to fight off. Usually, they win the battle, but when they can’t mount an effective counter-attack is when we fall ill. Thankfully, there are natural supplements that can help our own body’s immune system to work better and be more effective against bacteria and viruses, of all kinds.

The first supplement we’d recommend is elderberry, also known by its scientific name, sambucus. Elderberry syrup is a potent, natural antiviral agent that has shown impressive results against a variety of respiratory infections. Scientists believe that part of the way elderberry works is by actually deactivating viruses like the flu, preventing them from replicating, which helps the body to be able to fight them off easier while also stimulating the immune response.

Elderberry is effective as a preventative measure against illness, but can also reduce the severity of symptoms of viral illnesses. Research has found that elderberry is able to reduce the symptoms of upper respiratory infection regardless of the cause, which is helpful since it can be extremely difficult to pinpoint a specific viral strain just by symptoms since even the “common cold” can make a person feel pretty awful.

Another potent natural supplement I’d recommend is a patented extract derived from mushrooms known as AHCC. Unlike elderberry, which works specifically on the viruses causing an illness, AHCC works by affecting the immune system directly. AHCC helps to boost our own body’s immune response. Studies have found that AHCC can boost the effectiveness of our own immune system in a variety of ways, including increasing the activity of our body’s NK, or “natural killer” cells, that identify and destroy viruses, bacteria, and abnormal cells in the body, as well as immune cells in our the respiratory tract that work to fend off foreign invaders as they enter the body.

Immune blends, like one of our favorites called Immuno Shield by Irwin Naturals can also be very helpful in boosting immune functioning. Immuno Shield combines a variety of well-researched immune-boosting supplements in one pill, including echinacea, olive leaf, oregano oil, and more. It’s probably the most popular immune supplement for our customers since its effective both preventatively and if you do get sick to help you to feel better faster.

Something else that may be beneficial is manuka honey lozenges. Manuka honey is a specific type of honey that is strongly antibacterial, antiviral, and antimicrobial. Much of the research on manuka honey used orally has been on its ability to inhibit bacterial growth, like strep throat, though new research is confirming manuka honey’s benefits against viruses as well. We have a great manuka honey lozenge I would really recommend by YS Bee Farms that combines beneficial manuka honey with another bee product, propolis, that is also strongly antimicrobial and also helps with healing, so it’s great for sore throats.

Finally, let me say to please not panic about this new virus. Yes, the news is scary, but I do believe sensational news media is getting people more frightened than necessary. At the time I’m writing this there have been less than 100 confirmed cases in America of the coronavirus. In 2018 the US population was measured to be over 327 million. The odds of contracting coronavirus using those numbers is statistically zero. If you’re traveling overseas, wearing a mask at the airport or on a flight doesn’t seem a bad idea if you’re worried. We’ve had some customers ask, so we did bring in a small supply of disposable face masks for people who are traveling, but we would really say that they are generally unnecessary in most cases.

Should we be taking precautions?  Absolutely. That’s because the precautions to prevent against coronavirus are the same as those to prevent you from getting the flu or other respiratory viruses, which are significantly more likely. Wash your hands frequently, use hand sanitizer when needed, take some immune boosters, and make sure you’re getting enough rest and feeding your body with good foods. All of those things will help you to stay healthy from whatever bugs that cross our path.

Stop by our store in Palos Heights for more information at 7228 W. College Drive. We have kind, knowledgeable employees who can help you to choose the right supplements for your individual needs.

Theanine for Reducing Stress and Increasing Focus

Theanine is a supplement that has been one of our very favorites for many years, and while there are a number of different supplements for anxiety and stress that we’d recommend, theanine is unique and has additional benefits not found in other supplements.

Theanine, or L-Theanine as it’s sometimes called, is an amino acid found in small amounts naturally in green tea. Taken in supplement form, theanine is very effective for stress and anxiety, but without drowsiness; that’s part of what makes theanine special since many supplements for relaxation, stress, or anxiety can make a person feel tired. In fact, theanine can actually help with increasing focus.

Theanine is also fast acting, with effects usually being felt within a half hour to 45 minutes. It is safe for daily use, but can also be used only occasionally when needed. Theanine works by affecting neurotransmitters involved with regulating mood and emotions as well as concentration and alertness. Interestingly, research has also found that theanine can even have anti-inflammatory effects on brain cells and may even help to protect brain cells against age related degradation.

Scientists have found that when people take the amino acid theanine, the supplement helps to encourage and enhance alpha brain waves, which are associated with a state of “wakeful relaxation”, helping a person to feel calm and alert, while at the same time reducing beta brain waves, which are associated with scattered thoughts, nervousness, and hyperactivity.

Even though theanine does not cause tiredness, it has also been found to help with sleep- most likely due to its anti-anxiety effects. It is a supplement that is safe for all ages, and we have gummies that are great for kids (or adults) as well as easy to swallow capsules. We have theanine as one of our “Every Day Sales” by the brand Jarrow since it’s a product we recommend so much. It’s a supplement that most of us at Pass Health Foods have used regularly for many years, so we can definitely attest to its effectiveness.

Magnesium Malate for Muscle Soreness and Cellular Energy

Magnesium malate is a well-absorbed form of magnesium that has been found in research to stay active in the body longer than other forms of magnesium. Magnesium malate is also the form of magnesium that is most beneficial to muscles, helping to relieve sore muscles and relax muscle tissues, regardless of the cause. Because of this, magnesium malate can be helpful for people on an exercise regime that experience sore muscles, but it can also be beneficial for people experiencing muscle pain and soreness from issues like fibromyalgia, in fact, there have been several studies documenting magnesium malate’s benefit for reducing pain from people suffering from fibromyalgia. Magnesium malate may also help with restless leg syndrome and muscle spasms and cramping.

We have a new powder form of magnesium malate by KAL called Energy Magnesium, named so because in addition to helping with muscles and just being a great, well-absorbing form of magnesium, magnesium malate also helps with increasing cellular energy through a compound produced in the body called ATP. ATP is basically what fuels our cells and the various internal processes in our bodies. Magnesium malate can help with increasing that energy-producing compound, which is needed for every function in our body and especially for the brain and heart.

We recommend magnesium malate in a powder form since to get the recommended amounts, a person would need to take quite a few capsules or tablets. KAL’s new magnesium malate powder is good tasting and dissolves easily in hot or cold water. It’s a simple way to ensure you’re getting enough magnesium and to experience the benefits of magnesium malate.

It’s been estimated that over half of all Americans are not getting enough magnesium. Magnesium is needed for over 300 different processes in the body and is most concentrated in our bones and muscles. See our article (linked here) for more information on magnesium and its benefits. Magnesium is not produced in the body and must be obtained through either food or supplements to maintain adequate levels.

Natural Ways to Improve Memory

Just about everyone wishes they could enhance their memory and brain functioning, whatever age you are. As we get older, one of the normal parts of aging is age-related cognitive decline. By the age of 45, the majority of people do not have the same mental performance as when they were in their twenties. These little memory “slips” are normal, though they can be annoying and something that we notice and can begin to worry about, particularly for people with family histories of dementia or Alzheimer’s disease.

Keeping the brain sharp through our lives by reading, doing crosswords or puzzles, socializing, and learning new things is always important, though there are also natural supplements that can be of help for maintaining and improving memory and brain functioning.

The first I would always mention are omega 3s, generally found in fish. Omega 3s are known as essential fatty acids, which means that they are absolutely essential to our health. Unlike many nutrients, our bodies cannot make its own omega 3s, so they must be obtained through either diet or supplements. If you are not eating quality, fatty fish multiple times a week, it’s important to get those omega 3s through supplements, since omega 3 fatty acids are crucial for proper brain functioning, as well as cardiovascular health.

For people who are deficient in omega 3s, supplementing with a quality fish oil supplement can make a real difference in our brain health, impacting memory, mood, and more. Keep in mind that not all omega 3 supplements are created equal, however, in both their potency and purity.

Next, is a supplement I’ve always been fond of, but that I’ve seen a lot of great new research on for memory and brain function called phosphatidyl serine, also known as PS. Phosphatidyl serine is a supplement that has been used for memory for many years, though several new studies have just continued to confirm and expand its known benefit for memory and brain function for people of all ages.

Two new studies with adults showing normal age-related mental decline were given 300mg of phosphatidyl serine daily. At the end of both studies, the groups using PS had significant gains in a variety of tests measuring memory and mental functioning. Two of the tests, remembering names an hour after introduction and also for learning and remembering written information, showed a very impressive positive difference when compared with the group of adults who were given a placebo (who didn’t show hardly any improvement).

Interestingly, PS also appears to help with reducing stress and improving mood, especially in regards to mental performance. Another study done was done with young adults and a stressful arithmetic test. After supplementation for a month with phosphatidyl serine, when subjected to a similar test, they reported feeling more clear headed and less stressed when doing taxing mental exercises.

Phosphatidyl serine has also been used on children in a variety of studies, generally focused on children with ADD and ADHD. Several different studies showed significant benefits at a dose of 200mg a day for an improvement of inattention as well as reduced hyperactivity and impulsiveness.

PS is a safe supplement for all ages since it is actually a substance produced in small amounts in our bodies. It works in part by improving communication between the different parts of the brain and between neurotransmitters. Animal studies have found that the amount of phosphatidyl serine naturally produced in the brain decreases as we age, which may be part of the reason that our memory and brain function can begin to deteriorate as we get older.

Supplementing with PS is a simple thing that might really make a big difference in brain health for all ages. I’d say that any amount of PS supplementation daily would be beneficial, though the amounts for in most studies used 200-300mg daily, so for the greatest benefit, that’s what I’d recommend trying. Some studies were only a month long, though the majority were twelve week studies, so if you do decide to try it, try to be patient to give it enough time to see the full results.

Change Your Thinking About New Year's Resolutions

With New Year’s upon us- 2020, it’s hard to believe! Many people think of New Year’s Resolutions, and for most Americans, losing weight is at towards the top of that list. 

If you are one of those people, first, let me suggest that you rephrase that resolution. Rather than having the focus on weight loss, to try and shift that thought to improving our health. When we think of “losing weight”, it generally has a negative connotation, and if we may not see results as quickly as we wish, it can turn into feelings of failure and low self esteem.

So this year, instead of the idea of weight loss, let’s focus on making changes (even small ones) that can lead us to growing healthier and stronger. 

There are many places in our area that can help, the first of which we’d recommend are our friends at Revival Yoga Studio just across the street from our store. Just this past year they’ve also opened two more studios in our mall- a cycle studio and one for aerial and barre yoga. I know without a doubt that their owner, Megan, would agree with us about stopping the negative thoughts about losing weight, and instead to focus on doing something positive for yourself, making small changes to be more active that will lead to less stress and improved mood.

Next, instead of dieting, to shift the thinking to making a change to nourish our bodies with more whole foods, whole grains, and fresh, delicious fruits and vegetables instead of a bunch of processed junk. When we eat better, we feel better, and it doesn’t need to be about deprivation or counting calories.

There is no magic pill, but there are natural products that can help with that journey to better health.

One such product that I wanted to mention is a new supplement backed by impressive scientific research called AMPK Metobolic Activator by Life Extention. There is an enzyme in our bodies called AMPK that regulates energy in the cells of the body. When our bodies need energy, this enzyme moves excess fats and sugars into our cells to be converted into energy. This AMPK enzyme tells our bodies when to start burning fat stores for energy.

Our bodies are made to want to hold on to its fat stores because historically, humans have experienced times of plenty and times of famine, and those fat stores would help us to weather times when food was less abundant. Increasing the activity of the AMPK enzyme can make a big difference in overcoming our body’s tendencies to store excess fat.

We all have this enzyme at work in our bodies, but its activity declines as we age, leading to a slower metabolism that contributes to changes in our bodies, often showing as weight gain, particularly around the midsection.

Excess body fat is actually detrimental to our health since it causes oxidative stress that can harm our tissues and organs as well as inflammation throughout the body, both of which can actually cause a number of serious health problems.

This new product by Life Extention called AMPK Metabolic Activator has two compounds- one from citrus fruits and the other from a plant native to Southeast Asia. Those two ingredients together have been found to activate our body’s own AMPK enzyme, which tells our bodies to start using its fat stores for energy, especially abdominal fat stores.

In one study, people taking one of the ingredients found in one pill of this Metabolic Activator lost 11% of their abdominal fat. Another study on the second ingredient found positive changes in abdominal fat loss.

The amounts used in both studies are found in one pill of this new formula by Life Extension, which I really appreciate since in the past, many products for encouraging fat loss required several pills a day to be effective.

Even though I’ve been impressed by the research behind this new supplement, let me be clear- there is no magic pill, though supplements like this can be a help on the journey to better health. Don’t worry about what your scale says or counting calories- just working on being more active (whatever that means in your life) and trying to eat more whole foods is what really counts. You don’t need to deprive yourself, it’s just all about moderation, and if something like the product I mentioned above can help with a slowed metabolism, all the better.

All of us at Pass Health Foods wish you the very best for this new decade, and hope that it’s your healthiest, most vibrant year yet!

Celebrating 25 Years in Palos Heights!

2020 is a year of celebration for us at Pass Health Foods! It marks our 25th year in Palos Heights, something not many small businesses can boast of. We are so grateful for our customers who have supported us through the years!

Sisters, Joanne and Theresa, bought Pass Health Foods back in 1995. At the time, both sisters had been working for the same company and were “downsized” and lost their jobs. They thought it would be wonderful to go into business together. They were interested in health, and were shopping at health foods stores regularly, so when they saw Pass Health Foods was for sale 25 years ago, they thought it was a great opportunity.

Owning a small business gave them flexibility (and it was small- the store was half the size back then) since they were both caring for their aging father at the time. The business gave them the ability to have one person work while the other took care of their dad. For a long time, it was just Joanne and Theresa working at the store, working in shifts to cover all the hours, with some extra help from Theresa’s mother-in-law, Betty, and a couple other family friends.

Margot Rosenstein was the first real employee at the store, who started back in 1998, and she still works one day a week even now. Margot used to be a caseworker at the Cook County Juvenile Court, which I feel is a surprise to people who know her now, since she is so sweet and soft spoken. She retired from the court in 1997 and had been a customer at the health food store when Theresa was pregnant. After Theresa had her son, Sam, she asked if Margot wanted to work there, and she’s been with us ever since!

Many other family members and friends have worked at the store over the years and some, like Erick and Sarah, continue to this day.

I, Carolyn, am Theresa and Joanne’s niece and stared working at the store in 2002, and then Liz, the other store manager began working at the store while I was pregnant with my daughter, River, in 2010. Liz worked on the PTA with Theresa at their son’s schools, and after getting to know her, Theresa asked Liz if she’d like to work at the health food store with them.

Much at the store has changed over the years, though much has stayed the same too. We still carry many of the same supplement lines that we did when the sisters bought the store back in 1995. There have been lots of fads and trends, but I think we’ve stayed true to our mission of really trying to help people, and to be a place where people can come for trusted advice and information on natural health.

In addition to celebrating our 25th year, we are also celebrating that Liz and I (Carolyn) are now going to be part owners along with Joanne and Theresa. We’re all excited for this next chapter, and in looking forward to the next 25 years in Palos Heights.

To celebrate, we will be having a reception at the store on Saturday, January 4th from 12-2 with all of us and our families together. Please stop by for a piece of cake and to say hello! In addition to a regular cake, we'll also have a gluten and dairy-free cake for our customers with dietary restrictions.

Mayor Straz of Palos Heights will also be in attendance and has said that he will be proclaiming January 4th as Pass Health Foods Day. We hope to see you all there!

Theresa, Carolyn, Joanne, and Liz, Co-Owners of Pass Health Foods

Small Business Saturday- November 30th

Saturday, November 30th is Small Business Saturday, and as we look forward to that, I just wanted to say how much we appreciate each of you, our customers. In this age of Amazon and Walmart swallowing up small businesses, we want to thank you for choosing to shop with us.

We founded our business on the idea of truly helping people, and I hope we’ve been faithful to that, and continue to be a place that can be trusted to have quality products and real knowledge as well as showing kindness to each individual who crosses our threshold. Thank you for supporting us!

For Small Business Saturday, we will be having overlapping sales of our November and December sales, as well as our longer ongoing sales of our top recommended products throughout the store. We hope to see you on the 30th!  We’ll also have a number of different giveaways, raffles, samples, and more, so we sure to stop by!

See our sale page here for more info!

AHCC: An Amazing Immune Booster

Last month I wrote about elderberry, an amazing antiviral supplement that can help to fight off viral infections like cold and flu. It works in part by preventing viral replication, so a viral infection is easier for the body to fight off (see our entire article on elderberry and how it works on our website here).

This month I wanted to write about a lesser known immune supplement that works in a different way from elderberry, a patented extract derived from mushrooms known as AHCC. Unlike elderberry, which works specifically on the viruses causing an illness, AHCC works by affecting the immune system directly.

There are a variety of white blood cells in our bodies that are involved in immune response, recognizing and fighting the foreign invaders that cause illness, whether bacteria, viruses, or even abnormal cells resulting in tumors. Studies have found that AHCC can boost the effectiveness of our own immune system in a variety of ways, including increasing the activity of our body’s NK, or “natural killer” cells, that identify and destroy viruses, bacteria, and abnormal cells in the body.

Research has also found that AHCC is able to affect other types of immune cells in the body known as dendritic cells which are found throughout the respiratory tract. These dendritic cells work to fend off foreign invaders as they enter the body through the respiratory tract and try to infiltrate the body.

To think of these immune cells in another way would be to liken it to a medieval army. I imagine the dendritic cells as the footmen leading the charge against invaders, with the NK cells being the knights on horseback that are really getting things done. You’re going to protect your castle much better if both parts of your immune fighting force are working the best they possibly can.

Numerous research studies have confirmed AHCC’s ability to significantly boost immune system functioning, both by measuring increased production of immune cells in the body after supplementing with AHCC as well as measuring the immune response to specific strains of bacteria and viruses.

AHCC is widely used as an immune therapy in Japan, and I’m glad that it’s becoming better known in the United States since I do believe that it’s a unique and powerful supplement to aid our immune system functioning. Our body’s immune system is at work twenty-four hours a day, and that is what is it always comes down to with an illness- is our immune system able to keep invading bacteria and viruses in check?  When the answer to that question is no, that is when we fall ill.

AHCC can be especially helpful for people whose immune systems are not working as they should. As we age, there is a gradual deterioration of the immune system over time, which results in increased susceptibility to infection as well as more serious diseases. This deterioration of the immune system over time is also a main contributing factor to the increased risk of cancer in older people. According to the Alliance for Aging Research, 77% of all cancer cases occur in people over the age of 55.

Healthy lifestyle and diet are helpful in reducing the deleterious effects of aging, but at this time, there is little that doctors can do with conventional medicine to boost the immune system in the aging population. Thankfully, there are natural supplements like AHCC that are scientifically backed that can make a real difference in immune system functioning in people of all ages.

While in this article I’ve mainly focused on AHCC as a therapy for seasonal immune wellness, AHCC has also been researched (and continues to be researched) as a complimentary cancer therapy, and is regularly used in Japan as an adjunctive therapy for cancer, hepatitis, HIV, and a host of other disorders caused by improper immune function.

One Japanese study on patients with liver cancer found that survival times were two times higher in the group using AHCC when compared with the placebo group. The same researchers from Kansai Medical University in Osaka, Japan did a three year study on stage III and IV gastric and breast cancer patients and found a 40% increase in average survival rates when compared with the national averages in Japan for patients of similar ages with the same cancers.

Unlike elderberry, which can be used effectively at the onset of an illness to fight off a virus, AHCC is most effective when used on a regular, daily basis, at least during cold and flu season if you’re seeking to help to boost your immune system. Most studies on AHCC used high amounts of the extract (especially for cancer patients), around 3,000mg a day, though it stands to reason that lower amounts are still helpful, particularly when used preventatively, since every bit of improved immune response makes a difference!

Manuka Honey Throat Lozenges for Cough and Sore Throat

Manuka honey is a specific type of medicinal honey that has benefits for many different aspects of health (see this article on our website for an overview on the benefits of Manuka honey).

Manuka honey is unique from other types of honey in that it is only made in New Zealand, from the manuka plant that flowers for only two to four weeks each year. It’s also the only natural food source that has been shown to have anti-bacterial effects, due to compound known as methylglyoxal that forms naturally in manuka honey. Other honeys can occasionally have levels of that antibacterial compound, but only in small amounts. According to scientific research, the amount of antibacterial methylglyoxal must be at a minimum of 100mg/kg to reliably inhibit harmful bacteria. Manuka honey can have as much as eight times that amount.

Manuka honey is great in general, but it makes a really fabulous ingredient in a throat lozenge due in part to the healing and soothing effects in honey. Manuka honey specifically has also been demonstrated in scientific research to be able to inhibit bacteria, including strep bacteria, so not only can it soothe sore throats, it actually can be helpful for healing the root cause of a painful sore throat.

Honey, in general, has also been shown benefit for reducing coughing due to its coating action. Manuka honey throat lozenges are a simple, portable way to receive the cough reduction benefits on the go, since it’s not usually practical to walk around with a jar of honey.

We have several new, great tasting manuka honey throat lozenges available at the store this month. They’re perfect for both kids and adults and we have a number of varieties and flavors to choose from, so be sure to stop by to take a look!

Elderberry: A Potent Antiviral Against Colds and Flu

Elderberry, also known by its scientific name, Sambucus, is a wonderful supplement for the immune system due to its potent antiviral properties. It’s been studied extensively in regards to the flu. Research has found that in people infected with the influenza virus, elderberry supplementation reduced symptoms four days earlier than placebo groups. Elderberry has even been shown to be of similar (and even greater) effectiveness to the prescription anti-viral Tamiflu but without the side effects.

Elderberry is definitely effective against the flu, but as awful as the flu virus is, it’s estimated that only about a quarter (or less) of illnesses with “flu-like” symptoms are actually as a result of the influenza virus; most of the time, those flu-like symptoms are a result of viral respiratory infections.

The nice thing about elderberry is that it’s effective not only against the flu virus, but on viruses in general. It has been found in studies to “substantially reduce upper respiratory symptoms”.

Antibiotic misuse and over-prescription are becoming a real problem since it contributes to antibiotic-resistant bacteria and a host of other problems. The CDC has said that roughly 30 percent of antibiotic prescriptions are prescribed unnecessarily. The development of antibiotics has saved many lives, though their overuse is troubling since unfortunately, they do nothing against the viruses that are the cause of the majority of winter illnesses people experience.

Elderberry is a wonderful alternative since it has potent antiviral activity in the body. Scientists believe that part of the way it works is by actually deactivating viruses like the flu, helping the body to be able to fight them off easier.

While the flu can be serious, what is much more common is the upper respiratory infection known as the common cold. Americans on average experience on average 2-3 colds per year as adults and children average more than double that number, averaging 5-7 colds per year. Studies are now confirming what natural health experts have been saying for years, that elderberry is also effective against colds.

In one study done on people flying overseas, scientists wanted to see if elderberry was effective against upper respiratory infections and colds, and also if it could help in reducing the duration of the common cold since long overseas flights are a hotbed of germs and people frequently get sick after a long flight.

The study found that of the passengers who did get sick with a cold or respiratory infection after their flights, the people taking elderberry felt sick for a much shorter time than those using the placebo. On average, the group prescribed elderberry extract felt better over two days earlier than those using the placebo during their colds. Also, the severity of their cold symptoms were greatly reduced in the elderberry group when compared to those using the placebo.

Another new meta-analysis on elderberry which was just done this year, found that elderberry was able to reduce the symptoms of upper respiratory infection regardless of the cause, which is helpful since it can be extremely difficult to pinpoint a specific viral strain just by symptoms, since even the “common cold” can make a person feel pretty awful.

Elderberry can be used preventatively, but really shines in reducing illness once you’re sick, so I would definitely recommend having a bottle or two at home in case anyone in your family does fall ill this season, since unfortunately for most of us, it’s a question not of “if” but of “when”, since elderberry can not only shorten the duration of viral illnesses but also reduce the severity of the symptoms you experience.

When taking elderberry for an illness, the general recommendation is for adults to take a dose four times a day, which can really help with knocking out a cold.

We have a number of great elderberry syrups available at the store, which are each helpful for different people and different needs. The elderberry syrup we’ve most often recommended is one by Nature’s Answer that’s a high potency elderberry without added sugar. It’s great for adults, but most kids balk at the taste since elderberry syrup in its natural form without sweetener can be a little bitter. For kids (or picky adults), another elderberry syrup we have is by Nature’s Way and is often better tolerated, since while it isn’t as strong as our one by Nature’s Answer, it is much better tasting since it is a bit sweetened and is actually pretty delicious.

We have yet another elderberry syrup that I’ve just started using that I really like. It’s a traditional folk recipe for elderberry syrup by Honey Gardens. It combines organic elderberry with organic honey and propolis, another bee product that is strongly antimicrobial, antiviral, and antifungal. It’s actually what bees use to disinfect parts of the hive and keep a hive of thousands healthy. It also contains alcohol, though it must be in small amounts since I feel like it does not have the strong taste of many alcohol-based herbal tinctures. The addition of a small bit of alcohol helps to preserve the blend so it can be kept at room temperature (which is convenient) and also actually can help with the absorption of beneficial herbal compounds in the mixture. Last, it’s mixed with a bit of apple cider vinegar and organic echinacea (another amazing immune-boosting herb).

We’ve carried elderberry syrup by Honey Gardens for a while now, though I had never tasted it, mostly because the ingredients made it sound like it would taste awful (propolis is generally not great tasting, and I don’t really like the taste of alcohol-based liquid extracts), but once I finally bought a bottle I was amazed that it actually tasted good. It’s my new go-to when it comes to elderberry, because of its unique formulation and the addition of other powerful, scientifically-backed ingredients for boosting the immune system.

Last, I wanted to mention another brand new elderberry product by Honey Gardens that we’ve just brought in for cold and flu season. They’re single-serving elderberry drinks called Immune Boost that contain the juice of 300 elderberries in one 10oz. bottle. They’re on introductory sale right now for $2.99 a bottle and are a quick and effective immune boost if you start to feel those beginning signs of sickness.

Also during November, we’re going to be having an elderberry immune sale where we will have our two most recommended elderberry syrups on sale by both Nature’s Answer and Honey Gardens for 25% off, so it’s a great time to stock up before the winter. Also, if you would like to try a sample of the Honey Garden’s elderberry syrup, just ask us next time you’re in the store!

Finally, I wanted to say that there are many other great, natural immune-boosting supplements available, so stop by the store if you would like more information. We are extremely knowledgeable about herbs and natural products and would love to help you choose the best supplements for your specific needs. We’re at 7228 W. College Drive in Palos Heights.