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An Ode to Elderberry

Writer's picture: Jessica FreebornJessica Freeborn

When I was pregnant with my second baby, I was often fatigued. We lived out on an old piece of land across the river on the outskirts of the little city of Buellton, California. I would lie down on the couch and rest my eyes because chasing after my active toddler, Jacob, was downright exhausting. One hot, late summer day, I woke up suddenly after dosing off on the couch. I couldn’t find Jacob anywhere! I yelled for him and when I got no response, I panicked! I looked around the yard and couldn’t find him. I started to really freak out. I got in the car and drove down the windy dirt road. There I found him on the corner of the road picking ripe elderberries from the ancient elder shrub that grew along the dusty dirt road. I yelled at him to never leave the yard ever! I instilled the fear of God in his little soul but I couldn’t blame him for not resisting the ripe berries off the vine. He took some of his first steps and falls on this rocky, steep dusty road. He knew this land like it was his own backyard and he’s always been such an intuitive, self-sufficient, herbalist in training. I blamed myself for falling asleep on my watch and vowed to be more alert and hydrated. As a mother, I am incredibly grateful for the grace of God and second chances.

Some herbalists think the ripe berries are difficult to digest. This may be true but my family and I have always loved to sample the ripe berries as we pick these gorgeous dark blue berries. As long as you don’t ingest the stems as they contain a bit of cyanide which can cause vomiting and diarrhea. Still, our favorite way to consume the medicines of elder is our homemade Elderberry Elixir.



Fast forward to this year, Jacob is six years old (turned 7 this July) and is attending public school (this coming school year we have decided to homeschool but that’s’ another story). He is still an incredibly active child who just goes and goes, resists bedtime and then crashes for the night to arise early and start it all over again. The flu was going around his school. This was right before Corona Virus was deemed a pandemic. I picked him up from school and he complained his head and throat hurt and he moaned and whined and wanted to lie down. I brought him a dose of elderberry syrup. Now he doesn’t always like the taste of Mama’s medicine but I told him he must take it if he wants to feel better. I left the kids with their dad and went to the store to get some groceries for dinner. When I returned a half hour later, he was completely recovered! 100% the active and healthy Jacob I know! I was blown away. This incident along with many other anecdotes makes me a strong believer in the healing benefits of Elderberry Elixir. As a family, we have been taking a tablespoon daily and have had the healthiest year yet. We have relocated to North Idaho and the winter times and the lack of the California sunshine has been tough. We are so grateful for our herbal allies to get us through the dark winter months.

Elderberries contain a chock full of nutrients: high in vitamin C, anthocyanins, bioflavonoids and quercetin. Ingesting these gorgeous berries, promotes cytokines, which enhance our resistance to bacteria and pathogens. All of these nutrients synergistically work together to promote healing and are clinically proven to be immune enhancing. Elderberries as a tonic, tea and tincture have been safely used through the centuries to aid humanity in healing. Not to mention, it makes for a great wine and delicious syrup. I have always been drawn to the color purple. It seems to be something I need for healing. The rich color of our Freeborn Family Farms Elderberry Elixir makes me so happy. I am grateful to share this healing remedy with all of you. When I receive feedback from customers about how this remedy has helped them and their families, my mission feels honored and worthy. Elderberry Elixir is also great for allergies, hence, the vitamin C and quercetin constituents. Plus, we add raw local honey which helps the body cope with allergens and pollens. I have always struggled with allergies and chronic sinus infections. They would debilitate me for many months out of the year. Whenever I feel that scratchy throat and runny or congested nose, a shot of this homemade elixir, takes all of the pain away! I am so grateful that my family can relish in the benefits of this elder shrub and that God put on this earth so many healing plants. Our next goal is to start an elderberry grove on our family forest farm. For now, we will buy organic black elderberries that are sustainably sourced. This is an ode to elderberry that is an abundant, powerful medicine that likes to grow alongside country roads, to aid humanity to be stronger and full of vitality. Their medicines contain wisdom of the elders and the healing ancient ways.

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