Ali in OR Posted October 13, 2018 Share Posted October 13, 2018 My dd and I both used Sambucol for the first time last winter--not in time for my 5 week cold, but the next illness after that. Both of us believe it works to greatly lessen or shorten an illness. The first time we used it at the very start of symptoms, we felt so much better the next day that we decided it saved us from getting sick, then we stopped using it and got hit with the full cold. Even the second illness I think I only used it 2 or 3 days and got sicker when I stopped. So this week when I felt a cold coming on Sunday night, I vowed to take it all week. Once again, I think it greatly lessened symptoms. I've taken it for 5 days and I'm feeling good. This stuff is expensive and I want it to be around the next time I feel something coming on, so I don't want to take it if it's done its job. So, how many days do you take Sambucol to fight off an illness? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PrincessMommy Posted October 13, 2018 Share Posted October 13, 2018 I would usually only use it while the symptoms were present. That's usually only a few days at most. I agree, it's too expensive to use all the time. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AmandaVT Posted October 13, 2018 Share Posted October 13, 2018 I usually take 1 tsp of elderberry syrup every night from about now until spring. I forget on occasion. I up it as directed to help hold off a cold if I feel one coming on. It's pricey, but not as expensive as cold meds, extra kleenex and a Dr's office copay. I agree that it helps a lot. I get the Honey Gardens brand on Amazon and can get it for about $15 for an 8 oz bottle right now, which is a good price. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madteaparty Posted October 13, 2018 Share Posted October 13, 2018 I need to make some, thanks for reminder. It finally feels like cold... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freesia Posted October 13, 2018 Share Posted October 13, 2018 Elderberry syrup is super easy to make. There are lots of online recipes available, but it's as easy as pasta and sauce from a jar. Basically you simmer the elderberries in water for 40 minutes, strain, cool, add honey. I think I pay $16 for a pound af elderberries ( which seems to make at least 4 batches of 24 oz) and some for honey (preferably raw). 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DawnM Posted October 13, 2018 Share Posted October 13, 2018 I don't make syrup. I started making tea when I went lower carb and didn't want the honey or sugars. I did almost the same beginning of boiling as freesia did. I think I boiled elderberries for 20 minute, strain, and don't add honey, instead, I poured into ice cube trays. Then, every evening, I would plop an ice cube in boiling water, add some stevia (or not) and drink it. I think it comes to less than .05 per cup of tea. And it works. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catz Posted October 13, 2018 Share Posted October 13, 2018 I boil for a hour usually but it is way cheaper to make! We use it 2-3 times a week all winter. I think a pound o& berries lasted us about a winter. https://wellnessmama.com/1888/elderberry-syrup/ 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PrincessMommy Posted October 13, 2018 Share Posted October 13, 2018 1 hour ago, DawnM said: I don't make syrup. I started making tea when I went lower carb and didn't want the honey or sugars. I did almost the same beginning of boiling as freesia did. I think I boiled elderberries for 20 minute, strain, and don't add honey, instead, I poured into ice cube trays. Then, every evening, I would plop an ice cube in boiling water, add some stevia (or not) and drink it. I think it comes to less than .05 per cup of tea. And it works. What a great idea!! Thanks Dawn. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bambam Posted October 13, 2018 Share Posted October 13, 2018 I made it last year too. My kid refused to take the homemade stuff - it wasn't as sweet at the store bought stuff. Buy your elderberries now. They seriously go up in price in the winter! I froze some from last year. I wonder if it is still good? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whitestavern Posted October 13, 2018 Share Posted October 13, 2018 Where do you all get your elderberries? I see them on Amazon but not sure if that's a reputable place to purchase. We take it at least 5 days when we're sick. I've stopped before once I started feeling better, but then the cold ended up back with a vengeance. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madteaparty Posted October 13, 2018 Share Posted October 13, 2018 8 minutes ago, whitestavern said: Where do you all get your elderberries? I see them on Amazon but not sure if that's a reputable place to purchase. I’m part of a frontier coop. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freesia Posted October 13, 2018 Share Posted October 13, 2018 I buy organic dried berries off of Amazon. If it isn't as sweet, add more honey. I also often boil with ginger and cinnamon and sometimes clove. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DawnM Posted October 13, 2018 Share Posted October 13, 2018 1 hour ago, PrincessMommy said: What a great idea!! Thanks Dawn. Well, I didn't think of it! HA! http://wholenaturallife.com/sugar-free-elderberry-syrup/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freesia Posted October 13, 2018 Share Posted October 13, 2018 I never answered the "how long" question. We don't dose daily. If we are exposed to something, everyone takes a spoonful once a day for a couple of days. As soon as someone has symptoms, I have them take a spoonful 3x a day for a few days. If someone has symptoms in our house, everyone takes a spoonful a day. I don't really know how long my kids who are sick take the syrup, bc, although I remind them, I don't actively make sure they take it past the second day or so unless they are clearly super sick. We don't tend to get super sick around here, though. Elderberry syrup has made a big difference. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lawana Posted October 13, 2018 Share Posted October 13, 2018 I’m in the make my own, take a teaspoon a day camp. Last winter, I got 2 very mild colds right at the beginning of school, then started elderberry syrup. No illnesses at all the rest of the winter despite a very intense cold and flu season and regular exposure to preschoolers that catch everything. This year I caught a virus the first week of August! from those same preschoolers, having not started elderberry syrup yet. You can be sure I am taking syrup now! I ordered one pound of organic elderberries from Amazon and bought raw local honey. Total cost about $30 for the year. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DawnM Posted October 13, 2018 Share Posted October 13, 2018 (edited) The other thing I do, and I am NOT an essential oils person, so I only say this because it works..... I add a drop or two of thieves to my tea and drink it. It is a natural antibiotic (of sorts!) and really helps. It doesn't taste the best, but it works when I am sick. Edited October 13, 2018 by DawnM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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