How We are Fighting the Flu and Cold
Spring is finally on the horizon, y’all! I am so ready for some warmer days and less dreary, rainy weather. More than anything, I am SO ready to be out of this dang flu season. There is so much snot and so much coughing everywhere we go. Between that and the weather, I am coming to understand why bears want to hibernate in the winter. Leave me inside with a cozy blanket, Netflix, and no one else’s germs, please and thank you. But sadly I have three little boys and two of them have to go to school everyday. And much to my frustration, I can’t send them out the door in a protective bubble with their lunches and backpacks in tow. So unfair.
The one thing I can do to protect them, however, is give them a dose of my favorite flu-fighting, immunity boosting goodness in a bottle. Elderberry syrup, y’all. Maybe you’ve heard of it, maybe you haven’t. I’m going to tell you all about my favorite brand Andi-Lynn’s, why it works, and what sets it apart. The CDC has shared that this year’s (and most years’, honestly) flu shot is less than 50% effective. So whether you decide to get one or not, you need something else in your arsenal to keep you and your kiddos healthy.
Elderberries are full of antioxidants which work to prevent cell damage. They support your immune system and have the potential of being anti-viral and anti-bacterial (read more about its benefits here). Everyone in my house has a teaspoon of elderberry syrup daily as a preventive against cold and flu. The reason I use Andi-Lynn’s versus an over-the-counter elderberry product is because of the quality. Andi-Lynn’s uses black elderberries, works in small batches, and uses a minimal amount of ingredients that are fresh and local. Via their website, they use “pharmaceutical grade organic elderberry juice. This juice and our meticulous and preserving process maintains the whole fruit matrix of the elderberries so you receive all of its natural nutrients. (They) also protect you from chemical preservatives, and use a non-GMO certified citric acid to ensure your elderberry syrup has a long shelf life without exposing you to harmful chemicals” (read more here). Andi-Lynn’s has their pure elderberry syrup as well as seasonal blends.
A few weeks ago, Evan had over 10 kids in his class out with the flu, and we stayed flu-free! I am definitely giving the credit to the elderberries. If we get off track with taking a dose daily, or if a cold creeps in, I up the dosage to a few times a day and add in one of my other favorite Andi-Lynn’s products - propolis drops. I desperately asked Andrea (the owner of Andi-Lynn’s) what to do when Gibson had a cold that just wouldn’t let up a few months ago. She sent me home with a bottle of elderberry syrup and a bottle of propolis drops, and said to give him some every few hours. I’m a firm believer in the power of both of these remedies! That cold cleared up so quickly, and anytime someone in my house has got a sniffle, the propolis/elderberry combo knocks it out SO fast. No ear infections, no sinus infections, no lingering colds.
So WTF is propolis?? you may be asking yourself (hopefully I’m not the only one who uses less than lady-like language when talking to myself sometimes, right?!?). Propolis is made by bees! It’s a resin like material that bees use to glue their hive together. What makes it so awesome is that it’s proven to have antiviral and anti-inflammatory effects. This article from Wellness Mama explains a lot of propolis’ known benefits and uses much better than I can. All I know is I’ve seen how effective it has been in kicking a cold’s butt so incredibly fast. Monday I was sure I had a cold coming on (tiredness, itchy and runny nose, sneezing, the works) so I had a dropper full of my propolis drops a few times along with some elderberry (the propolis by itself is not too tasty, so adding it to the elderberry helps!), and Tuesday when I woke up I didn’t have even an inkling of a cold symptom. I’ll let that speak for itself.
Those two products are the ones I use most at home, but there are a few others that I love and want to share with y’all.
Cough & Calm - the name is exactly what it sounds like. We use this anytime a cough creeps up, and it works to help soothe and stop it! It tastes good, and there’s no weird side effects of other typical cough syrups. I’ve given it to my kids and used it myself.
Tummy & Teething Drops - every mama needs these in her arsenal!!
Inhale Sinus & Respiratory Drops - I’m planning to keep these on deck now that ALLLL the pollen is here.
Fire Cider - Raw apple cider tonic - This stuff burns SO good. It contains live cultures and active digestive enzymes. All the ingredients are a great health boost for your body. Take a shot or make a delicious drink with it. I like to have it mixed with a little raw honey - spicy and sweet!
You can head to this link to find out where to buy your products locally. Andi-Lynn’s now also has its own store front location in Walker, Louisiana where they also host events and workshops. All products can be ordered online as well, and Andrea has graciously given us a free shipping code to use! Just type in CCHMHEALTHY at checkout and you’ll get free shipping on your entire cart!
Let me close by saying that I am by no means a health professional. Hopefully that goes without me saying, but just in case... I am just sharing my experience with these products and why I love them. Use your discretion and do your research! Cheers to good health, friends!
This post is sponsored by Andi-Lynn’s Pure and Custom Formulary, but I have been using their products for years and all thoughts and opinions are my own. I will never share something here that I don’t love and believe in, that’s a promise!