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It’s rare that my family comes down with the flu. I attribute that greatly thanks to us taking elderberry syrup during flu season.
However, we were not so lucky recently. My youngest got it first and we were thinking it might just be a fluke thing. She seemed pretty normal… then a few days later her brother got it and I soon followed. Bleh. The flu is not a fun thing to suffer through and it’s even worse it the whole family gets it at once.
In my attempts, to help my son and I recover from having the flu and to help my healthy kids avoid getting the flu, I quickly whipped up a new batch of elderberry syrup and then proceeded to make elderberry tea with the used berries.
These alone are great things to do but I finally had the chance to try out my vision of a flu fighting popsicle.
There is only a few ingredients to this recipe and the popsicles are quick to make (well… outside of the freezing time). Before we delve into the recipe, how about we take a look at the ingredients and what roles they have in supporting the body during the flu.
Elderberry
I already mentioned that elderberry is my go-to remedy when it comes to the flu so it’s no wonder that I include it in these flu fighting popsicles! Elderberry syrup has been shown to help prevent the flu and can actually deal with ten strains of influenza.
Activated Charcoal
I know this is a rather shocking ingredient but hear me out. Activated Charcoal (not to be confused with barbecue charcoal) has been used for many centuries to treat many stomach issues and is even given in hospitals for cases of food poisoning.
It binds toxins an carries them out of the body. While it is black in color, activated charcoal is odorless and tasteless so you will not notice it in these popsicles.
Ginger
Ginger is well known for it’s anti-nausea properties and thus it is added into these flu fighting popsicles. You can used fresh or dried ginger but I never have any when I want it so I just rely on ground ginger. They all work.
Stop! Before You Make These Flu Fighting Popsicles…
Before making these flu fighting popsicles, you will need to make elderberry syrup first! We will be reusing the elderberries from that batch of elderberry sryup for the popsicles so first things first… make that elderberry syrup!
Flu Fighting Popsicles
Used elderberries (originally 1/2 cup dried before making your batch of elderberry syrup.)
4 cups water
1/2 tsp ground ginger
4 tbs. honey
2 capsules activated charcoal (or 1/2 tsp)
Directions:
Step 1 – Elderberry Tea:
Place used elderberries into a pot. Add water and ginger and bring to a boil.
Once boiling, remove from heat and let sit 10 minutes.
Allow to cool and transfer into a blender.
Step 2 – Popsicles:
Once you’ve added your elderberry tea to the blender, add in the honey and activated charcoal.
Blend for a minute to fully incorporate ingredients.
Pour into popsicles molds and place in the freezer for a few hours.
I love these stainless steel molds but they can be a bit on the pricey side, in which case this set is a great affordable BPA free option.
makes 12 popsicles
Do you add the elderberries to the blender too or just the water that was boiled?
Just the water/tea.
That sounds tasty…
Even if you don’t have the flu, the berries have health-giving properties and the charcoal absorbs toxins. Sounds like something good to have year round.
I don’t understand about the reused elderberries.. also does the charcoal ONLY absorb toxins or nutrients from the elderberries and ginger.
“used elderberries” refer to the elderberries that you have left over after making a batch of elderberry syrup. You could unused dried elderberries but it might be stronger in elderberry then. Activated charcoal should not absorb the nutrients from elderberries or ginger as far as I know.