Harbin Hollow Elderberry Syrup

As a certified nutrition coach, I am consistently researching whole food diets and how to promote good health. Several years ago, I was introduced to elderberry syrup. The only problem was, when I took a trip to our local pharmacy to purchase some, I found the commercial brands on the store shelves contained ingredients I’d rather not give to my family.

Holistic and preventative health solutions have become the basis of our foundation for living an overall healthy lifestyle which also includes clean eating. Food is medicine, y’all! I am all for trying natural health and wellness options first before turning to prescription and over-the-counter drugs. I also believe in the power of modern medicine and am grateful for it. I just start with the natural stuff!

In this article, I am going to highlight each ingredient in Harbin Hollow elderberry syrup and link to clinical research, so you don’t have to just take my word for it. Notice how each ingredient is familiar and that you can easily pronounce its name. That’s because we use real food and real ingredients, not mechanically engineered substitutes that can do more harm than good.

Let’s get started with elderberries!

Elderberry Benefits

The European elderberry, Sambicus Nigra, has been used for centuries to promote wellness and offer immune support. Elderberry-based supplements are believed to work by supplying the body with antioxidants and boosting its natural immune response.[1] Some studies indicate elderberries can stimulate the immune response and stop the replication of viruses within the body.[2]

The elderberry is the superhero of berries, full of flavonoids. Its flavor is rich and can be compared to that of a blackberry, just a little tarter. We take care of that by adding local middle Tennessee honey to sweeten our elderberry syrup. Of course, honey does a lot more than add some sweetness!

Local Honey Benefits

When we started making elderberry products, finding a local, trusted, inspected honey farm to supply us was extremely important. Unfortunately, many commercial brands of honey you find on grocery store shelves have been adulterated with sugar, high fructose corn syrup, or antibiotics. Our honey is only sourced from Pick TN honey farms inspected and permitted by the TN Department of Agriculture.

Honey is a natural sweetener, has a complex composition, and compared to sugar, has a lower glycemic index and energetic value.[3] Honey contains antioxidant vitamins E and C as well as minerals.[4]

However, honey does still react in the body similarly to sugar, so if you are a diabetic, use in moderation and monitor your blood sugar levels when consuming. For those of you watching your blood glucose levels, we have our “No Sugar Added” Elderberry Syrup sweetened with a blend of erythritol and Stevia.

Honey has also been known to effectively soothe a cough, even in children. “A single dose of honey before bedtime was shown in recent studies to diminish cough and the discomfort experienced by children and their parents. [5]

Not to mention, it tastes great! It’s a no brainer to me, natural stuff over the chemicals all day, every day, which brings us to our next ingredient, cinnamon.

Ceylon Cinnamon Benefits

Ceylon Cinnamon is also known has “true cinnamon” and “Sri Lankan cinnamon”. Studies have suggested it may help support immune health due to its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties. The cinnamon you find commonly in your local grocery store is called Cassia Cinnamon and doesn’t quite pack the same nutritional punch as the Ceylon Cinnamon.

Talk about a superfood! Ceylon Cinnamon is the good stuff! We use the cinnamon sticks versus the powder to fully infuse the syrup. It also does not separate or require the use of xanthan gum to bind it which is commonly needed when using powdered spices.

The same goes for our next powerhouse ingredient, ginger root.

Ginger Root Benefits

Ginger is one of the most commonly consumed dietary condiments in the world. Some studies suggest it may serve as an anti-inflammatory, and in Asian cultures, ginger is frequently used to treat coughs and upper respiratory symptoms. [6]It’s also said to ease nausea. I couldn’t live without ginger candy during pregnancy to help subside morning sickness.

The ginger flavor is subtle yet present in our syrups. It is a bit sweet and warming. On to cloves!

Clove Benefits

Cloves originate in Indonesia and are a popular spice used in soups, stews, meats, sauces, rice dishes, and holistic remedies such as elderberry syrup. Cloves are a natural anesthetic commonly used topically to treat tooth aches, are high in antioxidants, and have been known to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties.[7]

The clove adds a warm spice to our syrups and partnered with the cinnamon and elderberry, I describe it as tasting like ‘Christmas in a bottle!’

Last but not least, our final ingredient, lemon, serves a dual purpose.

Lemon Benefits

Lemons are one of the most common and recognizable ingredients in our elderberry syrup. They are full of vitamin C and have been linked to supporting digestive health.

But there is also a special function of lemons in our elderberry syrups in addition to its health benefits. Lemon juice lowers the pH levels by raising the acidity which helps make it shelf stable, so you don’t have to refrigerate it until after its opened. This allows us to get our syrups on more store shelves and into the hands of people like you!

CONCLUSION

Harbin Hollow elderberry syrup contains a mix of ingredients that have been said to have anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antioxidant qualities. You can take our syrup daily to promote overall wellness or every 2-3 hours for additional immune support. Adults commonly take 1 tablespoon and children over the age of 1 year take 1 to ½ teaspoon.  

Never hesitate to email me at harbinhollow@gmail.com, shoot me a message on FB Messenger, or a DM on Instagram. 

Order online here: Harbin Hollow Elderberry Syrup

About the Author:

Michele Harbin is a certified nutrition coach who’s focused turned to creating natural health solutions when she was unhappy with products on the store shelves. She is the owner of Harbin Hollow where they handcraft, all-natural products with health and wellness in mind. She loves to inspire others and found that offering real, tangible solutions like handcrafted elderberry syrup, superfood preserves, and local bee pollen gives folks the tools they need to heal from the inside out. She is a wife to television producer Ron Harbin and mother to Lylah Jane (6 years) and Cooper Jennings (2 years). A free spirit with an entrepreneur’s drive, Michele never sits still, loves to travel, has a passion for revamping traditional recipes for healthier versions, is a true Southern girl, and will literally talk your ear off. 

[1] https://health.clevelandclinic.org/elderberry-a-natural-way-to-boost-immunity-during-cold-and-flu-season/

[2] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22972323 

[3] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5817209/#!po=0.657895/

[4] https://health.clevelandclinic.org/5-best-and-worst-sweeteners-your-dietitians-picks/

[5] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4264806/

[6] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK92775/

[7] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3819475/