Elderberry trees pepper the roadsides and forest edges in early summer with fairy-like flower plumes. Those delicate white flowers transform into berries, ripening in late summer with the promise of sweet and ancient medicine. Harvested responsibly and cooked down, these berries offer us a way to prevent and treat cold and flu symptoms as well as overall support for wellness.
Turning a deeper gaze into the forest, we find mushrooms that, like the elder, have been in a relationship with humans for centuries. Reishi, chaga and turkey tail—found wild throughout North America and beyond—can be used to deeply fortify the body, especially the immune system. Each has its own relationship to specific trees, bringing the medicine and strength of those beloved giants into their fibers. Using all three mushrooms in one beverage provides a deeper connection with healing.
Lastly, tiptoe through the garden gate to find a friend in the mint family. Tulsi is revered as the Queen of the Herbs, offering story and myth that goes back thousands of years in the Ayurvedic culture of India. Tulsi, also known as Holy Basil, is honored for her ability to soothe the nervous system and support the adrenals when we are fatigued, exhausted and stressed.
These three beverages help us build wellness, honor the body and usher in much-needed nutrients while using Mother Earth’s ingredients: elderberries, mushrooms and herbs. By taking these herbs in regularly, we experience more vitality and better health. Understanding how to use what Mother Earth provides gifts us with much richness.