Elderberry Tonic!
IMPORTANT NOTE
Children under 1 years of age and pregnant or breastfeeding women should NOT consume Elderberry Tonic due to the raw honey in the tonic.
Additionally, you should educate yourself to ensure that elderberry tonic is appropriate for your consumption. ALWAYS CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR prior to adding Elderberry Tonic to your daily regimen, especially if you have chronic health issues or on daily medications. You should gain assurances that the ingredients will not interact with your medications or impact your ongoing health issue.
Shipping
The elderberry tonic needs to be refrigerated. For that reason, we are unable to ship the tonic.
Our Tonic
Our elderberry tonic is prepared with Just Iowa Honey raw honey, which is the most nutrient-rich form of honey. We also cool down the brew to 80 degrees before we add the honey - this ensures that the beneficial enzymes and properties in the honey remain intact. As you review other elderberry tonic commercial offerings, make sure you are comparing the ingredient list - not all concoctions are comparable! I prepare our tonic with not only elderberries, but aronia berries and rosehips, as well. In addition, I use reverse osmosis water to ensure that harmful chemicals in local water are removed. Keep on reading, and understand the health benefits of each berry!
Possible Benefits of Elderberries
Resource: WebMD.com
While there is no one-size-fits-all remedy for illness, supporters of elderberry say the fruit is one of nature’s most versatile solutions for what ails you. European version (also known as Sambucus nigra) is the one most closely tied to your health and healing. Its history dates as far back as 400 BC, and Hippocrates, the “Father of Medicine,” called the elder tree his “medicine chest.” In folk medicine today, the elderberry is widely considered one of the world’s most healing plants.
The berries and flowers of elderberry are packed with antioxidants and vitamins that may boost your immune system. They can help tame inflammation, lessen stress, and help protect your heart, too. Some experts recommend elderberry to help prevent and ease cold and flu symptoms.
It’s also been used as a treatment for:
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Constipation
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Joint and muscle pain
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Infections that affect how you breathe
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Headaches
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Fever
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Kidney problems
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Epilepsy
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Minor skin conditions
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Stress
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HIV and AIDS
Elderberry gets a lot of support as a healing agent through word of mouth and old wives’ tales, but its success in medical tests is less conclusive. More research is needed. If you want to add a little pep to your immune system, many doctors say it’s safe to take elderberry as part of a healthy diet plan that includes foods with vitamin B, vitamin B6, and vitamin E.
IMPORTANT NOTE / CONSIDERATIONS
If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, you shouldn’t take it. I recommend if you have immuno-compromised health issues or if you take daily mediations for health conditions that you get approval from your doctor before taking products with elderberries. In addition, the following should be taken into consideration:
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People with immune problems might have reactions to elderberry.
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If you get a rash or have trouble breathing after you have some, you might be allergic to it.
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Because it’s a diuretic, be careful when you take it if you’re on medicines that make you pee more.
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If you take daily medications for health conditions, chat with your doctor or pharmacist prior to taking products with elderberry.
Possible Benefits of Aronia Berries
Resource: Medical News Today
Aronia is a type of shrub native to North America that is now grown in Eastern Europe. "Aronia" generally refers to the berries that grow on the shrub. These aronia berries are also known as chokeberries because of their sharp, mouth-drying effect.
Aronia berries can be eaten fresh on their own or used as an ingredient in foods, such as pies, juices, and tea. The berries are said to have many health benefits, including anti-cancer properties. Many of the proposed health benefits of aronia are linked to its high content of nutrients called polyphenols. A 2015 review in Food Technology & Biotechnology noted that previous research had found aronia to have the highest polyphenol content of 143 plants.
Anti-cancer effects
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A 2004 study looked at the effects of grape, aronia, and bilberry extracts in preventing the growth of colon cancer. The study found that while all the extracts inhibited the growth of the cancer cells, aronia had the strongest effect.
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A 2009 study found that an aronia extract helped to reduce cell damage in relation to breast cancer. The study's authors concluded that the aronia extract had been shown to have protective qualities in people experiencing breast cancer.
Anti-diabetic effects
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Research seems to support the anti-diabetic effects of aronia. A 2015 study in rats found that an aronia extract helped to boost the immune system and reduce inflammation related to diabetes.
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A 2012 study, looking at insulin-resistant rats, found that an aronia extract fought insulin resistance on several levels. This result potentially makes it an effective aid in preventing diabetes from developing.
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A 2016 study found that blood glucose levels and obesity were positively affected by aronia.
Organ health
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A 2016 study looked at the effects of aronia fruit juice in rats with liver damage. Researchers found that the juice reduced the severity and symptoms of the liver damage.
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A similar 2017 study also found aronia juice to have protective effects against liver damage in rats. The study's authors suggested the effect might be due to the antioxidant activity of the aronia.
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Another rodent study from 2017 found that aronia juice helped to reduce the severity of symptoms in rats with damaged stomach linings. The study suggested that, in this case, the benefits of the aronia might be due to it boosting mucus production, as well as its ability to combat oxidative stress.
Artery and blood vessel health
A 2015 study found that aronia could protect against coronary artery disease. Aronia was thought to protect against the plaque that develops inside the arteries.
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Both the aronia and bilberry extracts helped to relax the tissue, which would allow for improved blood flow. This is important, as many cardiovascular diseases result in a hardening of the arteries and reduced ability for the blood vessels to relax. This can also mean that the blood pressure drops.
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Out of the three extracts tested, aronia had the most powerful effects. The researchers concluded that the extracts could have significant benefits in treating vascular disease.
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A 2013 study supported these findings. Researchers found that aronia was effective at reducing blood pressure, and might help combat high blood pressure in the arteries.