You could pretty much place money on the fact that as the October half term approaches, I will be struck down with a cold which will barely leave me until the Spring. I’ve always been rubbish with colds as I just can’t seem to shake them but this year I have found something to help me fight flu and the dreaded lurgy.
I was sent this lovely ‘Wellness Hamper’ from Pukka to help boost my immune system and fight winter. Since becoming pregnant with Little Bean I have regularly consumed herbal teas (I couldn’t stand them before having children???) and now I love so many different flavours. I was keen to give the Elderberry and Echinacea a whirl, I even had the cold to test it on.
Elderberry is the must-have tonic to fight flu suitable for the whole family, it has been deemed the new superfood with recent studies championing Elderberry’s anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory and anti-viral properties. It has been claimed that it is the most effective at maintaining a stong immune system.
So in my Wellness Hamper, I received;
Elderberry Syrup – packed with Vitamin C and anti-oxidants, the Elderberry Syrup will help to fight viruses during the winter months. The concentrated syrup contains the highest organic grade, sustainably cultivated herbs, carefully selected to bring the full potential of nature’s goodness.
Elderberry and Echinacea Tea – this is a really yummy super fruity berry blend of purple-black elderberries, inky blackcurrants with notes of Echinacea to revitalise and support and soothe.
Sebastian Pole, co-founder and master herbsmith says:
Elderberries are said to ease flu symptoms like fever, headache, sore throat, fatigue, cough and body aches with their healing properties and sweet soothing taste. Unlike Echinacea, which is usually taken in short bursts before and during a cold, Elderberries can be consumed all year round to provide protection and support to build resistence ahead of the winter season. It’s a must-have ahead of the cold weather”.
Special Pukka Elderberry and Echinacea Tea tin – finally something better than the cardboard boxes which get squashed in the cupboard and leave a dusty residue on the shelves.
Pretty pink china mug specially made for Pukka by Stokes Croft China, because you always need a nice cup to enjoy your cup of tea in.
Conclusion:
I often turn to natural remedies to fight illness so I was keen to give this a try, the only problem with me and anything which you need to take on a regular basis is that I am rubbish at remembering to do anything that is for myself. I am the same with the Devil’s Claw I take for painful joints. I can remember to do things for my Beans but for me, I just forget so I started off quite well on the first two days and then remembered 3-4 days later when I was moaning about how rubbish I felt. It went on like this for a little over a week, taking the Elderberry Syrup and drinking the tea for a couple of days and then forgetting for a week or more. I am currently 5 days into taking the syrup regularly and drinking the tea and I can honestly say, I am starting to feel a change. I slept better last night because I could breathe, today I don’t feel like my sinuses have been plugged with cotton wool and so I am feeling the determination to keep up with it and aim to get me back to full health.
The syrup is something which I am happy to take as I don’t mind the flavour but it is a strong flavour and I know hands down that I wouldn’t be able to get my fussy Beans to take any but then again, they can be fussy about which flavour chocolate spread I have bought so that’s nothing to go on.
I LOVE the tea and is definitely a flavour I shall continue to buy over the winter months and in preparation for next winter. There is nothing worse than constantly feeling full of cold, it affects you throughout the day and makes me feel miserable, I struggle to sleep at night and then feel overtired the following day and it becomes a vicious circle, finally I feel like I can see my circle straightening out. Wish me luck!!!
Elderberry Syrup and Elderberry and Echinacea Tea are available at independent health food shops and www.pukkaherbs.com.
Elderberry Syrup RRP £12.46 (100ml)
Elderberry and Echinacea Tea RRP £2.39 (20 sachets)
DISCLAIMER: I was sent the above Wellness Hamper for the purpose of this post. All words, images and opinions are my own and may not be copied without my permission.