Articles
Double-E Immune Booster
by Debi Pearl of No Greater Joy Ministries
April 2007
New research has opened amazing advances into herbal medicine, including information that will help rev up the immune system. We continually research and upgrade our pre-mixes to include all the best herbs available.
Flu, virus, and infections all are enemies ready to lay us low. Our natural immune system is our first and best defense. God gave us leaves, roots and good sense to help us keep our immune systems working in top order to avoid sickness.
One easy way to keep the immune system in high gear is raw garlic, but it stinks so bad that we use our Double “E” Immune Booster. Our recipe, which includes the whole Echinacea plant and Elderberry herb (as well as several other immune boosting herbs), has proven to be a fast and effective way to provide the body with the defense it needs in times of repair.
Elderberry is being studied in Israel as one of the very best immune boosters. When it is combined with other stimulating herbs it works wonders. It is a large shrub that bears sizeable clusters of tiny purple berries.
Echinacea is well known for building T cells, which are important in the body’s immune defense. This wonder plant has been used the world over for strengthening the immune system. It is really a lovely flower. I grow it in my flower garden, harvesting the flower, stem (both combined are simply known as tops), and root to make my tincture every fall. I like to use the whole plant because I know then I am getting all it has to offer.
The premixed herbs can be made into a tea for a fast and effective way to provide the body with the goodness of each herb. But I make this recipe into a tincture every year because it is always on hand when I need it and because getting children to drink tea is not always easy. It takes a little effort, but then I make enough tincture (a gallon) to last the whole year for my household and my children’s children plus many extra folks that need it. The tincture made from this recipe is dark and smells strongly of the herbs. I know it is effective because I have used it for many years. Honey can be used in the place of glycerine, but it is not as pleasant-tasting. I have also made an alcohol tincture and mixed it half and half with finished glycerine tincture (glycerite) to help cut the sweet taste of the glycerine. I like it better this way, but while my children were small I always used just glycerine. Tincture amounts of food grade glycerine does not raise my blood sugar.
The premixed herbs can be made into a tea for a fast and effective way to provide the body with the goodness of each herb.
I also make this recipe into a tincture every year. It takes an effort, but then I make enough tincture (a gallon) to last the whole year for my household and my children’s children plus many extra folks that need it. The tincture made from this recipe is dark and smells strongly of the dried herbs. I know it is effective because I have used it for many years.
I have used honey in the place of glycerine and it works well but the honey is not as pleasant tasting. I have also made an alcohol tincture and mixed it half and half with the finished glycerine tincture to help cut the sweet taste of the glycerine. I like it much better this way but while my children were small I always used just glycerine.
Directions
Alcohol tinctures (extracts) are easy to make. Fill a glass jar 1/3 - 1/2 full of the premixed herbs (1/2 full of herbs makes a stronger brew), and top off the jar to within about 1/2 inch from the top with rum or vodka. Cap the jar and set it in a dark, cool place for about 3 weeks (shake mixture daily). Then, strain off and discard herbs saving the liquid herbal tincture in glass containers that are clearly labeled and capped.
As adults, we take 1/2 – 1 teaspoon (30 – 60 drops or so) every hour at the first sign of a cold or flu (any infection) until the symptoms disappear. We use less for children. Alcohol, glycerin or a mixture of the two is a good investment for a year’s supply of immune defense.
For more information on making tinctures using alcohol or glycerine, see the Preparing Remedies page. The following books have been our best references on making our own tinctures at home over the years:
- Herbal Antibiotics for making alcohol and glycerine tinctures
- Practical Herbalism for making alcohol tinctures
- The ABC Herbal for making glycerine tinctures
- The How to Herb Book for making alcohol tinctures
