Disclaimer: The information on this site is for educational purposes only. Any statements or claims about the possible health benefits have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and are not intended to diagnose, treat, prevent, or cure any disease.
Research has shown that our individual microbiome is as unique as our fingerprint. Incredible! Both of these herbs are effective for improving the health of the microbiome. Raw kombucha is packed with beneficial bacteria, yeasts, acids, and enzymes to increase diversity in the microbiome. Better than a probiotic (which delivers the same strains of beneficial bacteria over and over again), this brew provides a diverse range of living goodness from a thriving culture and medicinal herbs. Elder berries create the flavor profile with a rich, berry taste and offer a plethora of immune-boosting properties. Rosehips are one of the highest sources of herbal vitamin C, which boosts collagen production and increases immunity. (Watch out for synthetic vitamin C supplements listed as “ascorbic acid” or “citric acid.” Ascorbic or citric acid are derived from mold or fermented GMO corn. Yikes!) I chose this flavor for the nutritional and medicinal possibilities.
Elder Berries
- packed with antioxidants, which help to fight free radicals in the body and keep you healthy overall
- known for their anti-viral properties and preventing illnesses
- inhibit the enzyme flu viruses which penetrate the cell membranes and also prevent the virus from invading respiratory tract cells (when taken early enough, you can prevent a small cold from turning into the full-blown flu)
- helps to soothe the intestines, and can be helpful for all inflammatory bowel diseases
- have a very gentle laxative action (may explain their decongestant properties as well)
- have a mild tonic action to help arrest diarrhea as well
- effective in treating allergies, hay fever, emphysema, rheumatism, sore throat, and sinusitis
- help reduce fever by inducing sweating
- rich in iron and potassium
- promote heart and lung health
- stabilize blood sugar
- beneficial for lowering HDL cholesterol
- quercetin-rich (quercetin plays a role as a zinc ionophore, which means it helps zinc cross the cell membrane where it can then disrupt the viral replication process)
Rosehips
- are the edible and nutritious fruit of the rose plant
- repopulate the gut with beneficial bacteria in the digestive system (especially helpful after a round of antibiotics)
- strengthen the capillaries and great for the circulatory system
- good for fighting stress
- as a natural stimulant they gently allow movement of the bowels, and as a diuretic they clean the urinary system
- as a pectoral they are a remedy for pulmonary and other lung diseases, and as a tonic they strengthen organs
- high in vitamin C and bioflavonoids (helps to prevent and treat various infections)
- anti-inflammatory properties can help with sore throat and other inflammation problems
- treat diarrhea, kidney stones, and thymus gland (as a blood cleanser)
- quicken the healing process for bruises and skin irritations
- women receive extra benefits from rosehips which help uterine cramps, heavy menstrual flow (replacing the iron that is lost), and some breast disorders