Elderberry
Elderberry is a deciduous plant with white and healthy flowers. The berries, as they ripen, turn green, red and black. Black fruits contain antioxidants, vitamins A, B and C, in addition to potassium.
Elderberry extracts help to strengthen the immune system based on medicinal properties. Traditionally, elderberry was used to heal burns and fight infections.The therapeutic use of elderberries includes the creation of healthy syrup or juice.
Elderberry extracts have antioxidant properties that stimulate the body’s immune response. Full of flavonoids and antioxidants, elderberries may reduce inflammation and boost immunity. Eating raw berries can cause nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. However, cooked black elderberries are completely safe to eat, as heat destroys the toxic substances contained in the seeds.
Studies have shown that anthocyanins present in elderberries stimulate the production of cytokines – proteins that act as messengers of the immune system – awakening and improving the body’s immune response. Eating properly prepared elderberries help strengthen the immune system, fight off colds and the flu as it is very high in Vitamin C.
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You can find them frozen, in a powder, as a supplement or dried. If you are thinking to make your own Elderberry syrup you can purchase them dried, many stores offer them in a kit, you can find one here or purchase them already made into the syrup form.
One of the best forms that i came across so far and i saw it’s effectiveness is in an elixir form that i purchased online this past winter. Myself and my kids took it all winter long and for the first time ever nobody got a cold. I declare this one a winner in our case.
Goji Berry
The goji berry is a tart, brightly colored fruit that grows in many places but cultivated primarily in China.
They were believed to offer anti-inflammatory effects as well as liver support, they help with diabetes, high blood pressure, fever, cancer, impotence and poor blood circulation. Goji berries have high levels of antioxidants in particular zeaxanthin, which is linked to eye health and protects the eye against sun damage.
As well they contain high levels of Vitamin A which is necessary for good eye health, reproduction, immunity and normal function of the heart, lungs and kidneys.
You can buy Goji berries in health food stores or online. The only problem is that freshly grown berries are difficult to procure since they cannot stay fresh for a long period of time. Therefore, they are most often sold in dried form, or as juices and syrups. You can even buy the frozen, in a powder form or as ingredients in cereals or granola bars.
The way I like to eat them is dried as a snack or sprinkled on plain yogurt.
Avocado Oil
Extracted from the pulp of avocado fruit, the oil is packed with nutritional benefits. Avocado oil is pressed cold from the flesh of the avocado, which is rich in fat and can contain up to 30% fat.
Fresh avocados are extremely rich in nutrients and vitamins. Vitamins B and C are lost in the extraction process because they are water-soluble, so these vitamins can only be found in fresh avocado. However, all the other vitamins and nutrients are retained, as long as you use cold pressed virgin avocado oil. This means avocado oil is a great source of vitamins A, D, and E, in addition to potassium and lecithin.
Avocado oil is high in oleic acid, a monosaturated omega-9 fatty acid and lutein, an antioxidant beneficial for eyes.
While it is ideal for cooking, avocado oil is used as a marinade or condiment in foods as well as lately it is being used for scalp and hair treatments. You can used it by massaging your scalp and on your edges to promote blood circulation, strengthen the roots, and encourage hair growth.
Coconut Oil
Derived from the flesh of coconuts, coconut oil has been used for centuries around the world. A flavorful oil containing a unique combination of fatty acids, coconut oil is being studied for its potential role in helping against heart disease.
There are two kinds of coconut oil: refined and unrefined.Coconut oil is perhaps one of the more divisive fats/oils out there, because the mainstream puts it at the very top of the bad fats list, while the traditional foodie folks seek it out as the healthiest fats. Because of its saturated fat content, coconut oil has a reputation as an unhealthy, artery-clogging oil, and many experts still recommend avoiding it. But in recent years, in some people’s eyes, it’s experienced a total turnaround and many people eat coconut oil to try to boost their health.
Some of the health benefits associated with coconut oil are controlling blood sugar, reducing stress, preventing liver disease, dental health used as oil pulling, weight loss and healthier skin. This last one I am using it for as well by applying it on my face and hands every night. Coconut oil can be used in soaps as well which makes it a natural hand cleaner.
It is used a cooking oil as well, in dressings and marinades or as a healthy addition to smoothies, yogurt and coffee.
When purchasing coconut oil try to use this organic virgin oil as you want all benefits available and a clean pure oil.
