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
- Prep Time: 4 hours
- Total Time: 4 hours
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Smoothie
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: Healthy
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.
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
Instructions
- Place all ingredients except for water into blender. Puree until smooth. If needed, add enough water so there are 4 cups puree.
- 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.
- To use, add 4 cubes per every 16 ounce smoothie.
- Substitute 4 cubes for 1/2 cup fruit in smoothie recipe, if desired.
Notes
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
I made the elderberry syrup smoothie cubes today. I had just purchased some fresh blackberries and blueberries at Sprouts when I saw this recipe. I make my own elderberry syrup using dried elderberries in my frig at all times — yes, in my opinion it works in keeping us well.
I sampled the smoothie cube mixture as I put them in the ice trays — boy is it good! So excited to add to our daily smoothies. Come on freezer, freeze those smoothie cubes quickly!!!
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The advice given above is highly relevant.
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Thank you Doretta!! We are so glad that this was helpful to you!
I saw your publications earlier, however this one I believe the very best.
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Thank you so much for that great compliment, Nava!! We are so happy that you enjoyed this.
I’ve been using these ingredients with my kids for years and they do help! I love having the cubes to quickly boost any smoothie when colds + flus are going around the school. I def recommend making these to be ready for the cold + flu season!
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I am so glad your kids love these! They really are the best!!
So if we make these, can we serve to children? I always make a green smoothie each school day morning & divide it 4 ways between myself and 3 kids 12, 10 & 9…but the olive leaf says not for children. Please advise as we’ve seen benefits from elderberry gummies when feeling eu down. I’d love to try this instead.
Hey Geneva,
Yes, this would probably be best for adults only. However some people give their kids small amounts of olive leaf so it really depends on what you and their pediatrician decide.
Hope that helps!
Excited to try this, thank you! In your notes about olive oil leaf you mentioned not to give it to kids, so is this is considered the “adult” version (take out olive leaf for kids?)? Thanks again, hooked on smoothies, thanks for the awesome recipes!
Hey Laura,
Yes, this would probably be best for adults only. However some people give their kids small amounts of olive leaf so it really depends on what you decide.
Hope that helps!