Public health lecturer: Fight the flu with elderberry syrup
Jessica Lowery ’07, lecturer of public health, believes in the power of alternative medicine, and the past year for her has served as evidence that her beliefs are not unfounded. In less than a year, Lowery has gone from making elderberry syrup from scratch for a few friends, to making and selling bulk batches from a commercial kitchen with DHEC approval, a business license and a website to farmers markets and retailers all across the Grand Strand.
Phew.
She learned about the power of elderberry syrup when she was pregnant with her first child and came down with the flu. She was back on her feet within 24 hours of taking doses of the syrup, and knew she had found a natural remedy for not just the flu, but for fevers, colds, runny noses, allergies, sinus headaches, stomachaches and more.
Lowery says a regular regimen of elderberry syrup for her and her family has saved them from trips to the doctor and missing work or school.
“Elderberry syrup is for those looking for a natural remedy,” she said, “especially for viral infections that can’t be treated with antibiotics. We take it daily as our natural flu shot.”
From her very first homemade batch, Lowery has refined her recipe to make sure it tastes good (her kids love it!) and has a balance among the ingredients. She uses local raw honey, all certified organic ingredients and doesn’t add any preservatives, which means her syrup must be refrigerated.
As flu season starts to return, Lowery encourages people to consider alternative methods to over-the-counter medicines.
“Elderberries attack several different strains of the flu virus and have been known to significantly shorten the duration of symptoms when compared to Tamiflu,” she said.
Lowery has been teaching at CCU since 2009 after earning her Master of Arts in Teaching health education from the Univesrity of South Carolina. She and her husband, Jake ’04, have three children. Their ultimate goal is to have more children in schools, more students in class and more parents at work, meaning fewer people in doctor’s offices.
“If we’re all feeling better, we’re all accomplishing our jobs,” she said. “That’s what it’s all about.”
Uses: Dietary supplement that can be used as an immune booster or taken when symptoms of flue, cold, allergies, cough, sore throat appear. Lowery recommends taking one tablespoon daily for prevention; one tablespoon twice a day (morning and night) for allergies; and one tablespoon every three hours up to four times a day when symptomatic until symptoms are relieved. Safe for children older than 1.
Lowery says it can also be used as a natural fever reducer and has been known to help alleviate chronic inflammation and pain.
Available at: Vanity Suite Salon, Discover Wellness and Chiropractic, Harrelson’s Seafood, Lee’s Farmers Market, Hope’s Healing Hands or order directly from facebook.com/thepowerofelderberries or thepowerofelderberries.com.
