Cubes with Elderberry Syrup for Colds

Make a batch of these Immune Boosting Smoothie Cubes with Elderberry Syrup for colds and flu, sinus infections, seasonal allergies, and general wellness. Each cube is jam-packed with ingredients specially selected for their immune-boosting capabilities.

Smoothie cubes are a great way to add some extra nutrition into your smoothies by tapping into nature’s farm-acy to stay healthy and strong, so let’s break down each ingredient and its role in boosting the immune system.

Black Elderberry Syrup For Colds – An Age-Old Remedy

One of the oldest natural remedies for cold, flu, and sinus infections is a syrup made from elderberries. Black elderberries (Sambucus nigra) are a small, firm berry that are a deep, almost-black purple color that grow in Europe and parts of North America.

Like other berries and jewel-toned fruits, they contain vitamin C, anthocyanins, and other antioxidants. Vitamin C is important for a strong, healthy immune system. The other properties in elderberries may have anti-inflammatory benefits, including the reduction of swelling in the mucus membranes that are commonly associated with cold and flu. (Make your own elderberry syrup!)

The Sunshine Vitamin: Vitamin D₃

Vitamin D₃ can be synthesized by the human body with sufficient UV-B exposure via the sun; it is often called the “Sunshine Vitamin.” Nowadays a lot of us don’t get outside as often as we should or as time permits. As such, it becomes important to supplement D₃ to prevent a deficiency. Vitamin D₃ is important in preventing certain autoimmune diseases, osteoporosis (especially in women during menopause; it aids in calcium absorption), and even some cancers.

It’s fairly common for someone to be feeling fatigued and just generally under-the-weather. One can go to the doctor, and blood tests can come back and show low levels of vitamin D. In short, deficiencies are common, so it doesn’t hurt to supplement a bit.

Oleuropein from Olive Leaf Extract

Olive leaf extract is something you may not have heard about. It’s a liquid supplement derived from Olea europaea olive leaves and combined with benign carrier liquids such as glycerine and water. Suggested use for adults is 1 tablespoon per day. It should be mixed with water or juice, or blended into a smoothie, and should not be given to children unless a medical provider has directed to use it.

Olive oil and olive leaves have been used for centuries for medicinal purposes. Olive leaves contain the powerful antioxidant called Oleuropein and well as a wide range of polyphenols. Oleuropein helps support the immune response and can also help with seasonal wellness.

Blackberries and Blueberries

Blueberries and blackberries both contain anthocyanin, a powerful antioxidant that gives berries their beautiful red, purple, and blue hues. Berries are also high in vitamin C, which helps to keep the immune system functioning properly. Vitamin C deficiency is rare these days, but can happen if fresh fruits and veggies aren’t part of the diet.

Because vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, is water-soluble, it is excreted regularly through the urinary tract, so it’s important to consume foods high in vitamin C. Supplementation can help, but studies have shown that food sources are the best, with a supplement or enriched food (such as rice and other cereals) coming in second.

Enjoy these immune boosting smoothie cubes in one of these smoothies:

• Free Radical Fighting Super Smoothie
• Rainbow Love Smoothie Bowl
• Berry Cherry Jubilee
• Immunity Booster Green Smoothie
• Strawberry Ginger Zinger Green Smoothie

Smoothie Booster Cubes with Elderberry for Colds and Flu

★★★★★ 5 from 4 reviews

• Author: Jen Hansard
• Prep Time: 4 hours
• Total Time: 4 hours
• Yield: 8 servings 1x
• Category: Smoothie
• Method: Blending
• Cuisine: Healthy

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Description

Prevent cold and flu season before it starts by keeping your body going with enough vitamin D3, as well as powerful super antioxidant olive leaf complex, and the age old remedy for cold and flu, black elderberry syrup. 

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Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups fresh or frozen blueberries
• 1 1/2 cups fresh or frozen blackberries
• 5 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon black elderberry syrup
• 32 drops from 05. ounce bottle Vitamin D-3 drops 4000IU (100 mcg per serving)
• 8 ounce (227 g) bottle Olive Leaf Complex
• Water, if needed

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Instructions

1. Place all ingredients except for water into blender. Puree until smooth. If needed, add enough water so there are 4 cups puree.
2. Pour into two 16-well standard ice cube trays and freeze until firm enough to pop out. Remove the smoothie cubes from the trays and transfer to an airtight, freezer-safe container until ready to use. 
3. To use, add 4 cubes per every 16 ounce smoothie.
4. Substitute 4 cubes for 1/2 cup fruit in smoothie recipe, if desired.

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Notes

• Other fruit or berries can be substituted for the blackberries and blueberries. Strawberries are very high in vitamin C and would make an excellent substitute.
• See this blog post for DIY Black Elderberry Syrup. Dried elderberries can be found online at stores like Mountain Rose Herbs.

Keywords: immune smoothie

Sources:

• “Oleuropein, unexpected benefits! ” via NIH
• “Oleuropein and its Pharmacological Benefits” via NIH
• “The effect of Sambucol, a black elderberry-based, natural product, on the production of human cytokines: I. Inflammatory cytokines.” via NIH
• “Elderberry as a Medicinal Plant” by D. Charlebois via hort.perdue.edu
• Nutrigenomics of Vitamin D. via PubMed