At the start of the pandemic, Belizeans were stocking up on their vervain and other natural remedies. But how many of you have tried elderberries? If you're unsure of what that is, well, you might want to pay attention to this next story.
Jiyoung Chehade once sat right where I am, as a 7News anchor.
At that time, her voice was a key asset for the job, but years later, cancer damaged her vocal cords. She was struggling with her health and when chemotherapy wasn't an option anymore, she turned to elderberries. Now, four years later, she swears by it, and has even turned it into a small business to help others on their path to better health.
Jiyoung returned to her old stomping ground on Wednesday and told us more about Oma Organix, and the products she has created. Courtney Menzies has this story.
If you're a news buff, you'll remember Jiyoung anchoring at Channel 7 back in 2006. A lot has changed in 15 years, including Jiyoung's voice. Four years ago, she was diagnosed with thyroid cancer and the doctors advised her to remove half her thyroid. But by then, the damage was done.
Jiyoung Chehade, Founder, Oma Organix
"Once they started operating on me, they were shocked. It was filled with cancer all around, and it had already started spreading out to my lymph nodes and to my vocal cords. So they had to remove the whole thing."
But Jiyoung wasn't out of the woods yet. She had to take chemo, but before she could start, she got some life-changing news…
Jiyoung Chehade, Founder, Oma Organix
"They had it set for a month later, well a month later, I realized I was pregnant and so it was not an option doing chemo because it would definitely be harmful to the baby."
Without many options left, her doctor advised her to take the natural route with elderberries.
Jiyoung Chehade, Founder, Oma Organix
"I had never heard of elderberry, I didn't even know it existed. So I started drinking elderberry, it's something I would buy from the US and when I came back to Belize it was something I drank consistently. And of course I prayed a lot, it's in your hands God, whatever ou want. And so with time I started feeling better. Because when your thyroid is removed, it controls your hormones, it controls your metabolism. Even the way you feel, if you're tired, it controls all of that. And so when I dtarted drinking elderberries, maybe two months in, I started feeling different, I had more energy, I just felt good. I'm not saying it's a miracle worker, but it's something that helps."
"I went back for a checkup and thankfully they said I'm clear of everything. Of course that doesn't change that my vocal cords are kinda already off but it definitely has helped our family. It's been a blessing to us, and I also give my three kids, they're ages 7, 5, and 2 and they used to always get sick with flus and throat infection so I used to give them everyday and it's been almost two years and thankfully they haven't been to the doctor in two years."
And since she'd seen the effects of elderberries, she decided to share it with the world by starting her own business.
Jiyoung Chehade, Founder, Oma Organix
"During the pandemic, God gave me the idea that maybe I should sell this. We need people's immune system to be boosted and also to help people who might be suffering from the same thing I am or any other health issues. What it helps with is also with lowering cholesterol, it has vitamin E, B, C, D. It also helps people who are diabetic."
And aside from her elderberry syrups and kombucha, she also started making skin products.
Jiyoung Chehade, Founder, Oma Organic
"The elderberry syrup is like a tonic, like a concentrate, so you will only drink on tablespoon a day and it comes fully ready to drink. What I do I boil the elderberry with cinnamon, ginger, cloves and honey so it has no sugar."
"Then we have the kombuchas. The kombuchas have a lot of probiotics which is good for your gut health. You gut health it's like the brain of your whole body."
"The elderberry sugar scrub, the salt scrub, the facial scrub, soap and lip balm. It exfoliates and it nourishes. I use it myself, it's part of my skincare routine. And I've gotten good feedback."
And while we've heard about turning lemons into lemonade, this survivor turned her cancer into a cottage industry with compassion at its core.
Oma Organix has also partnered with other small businesses to make elderberry chocolates, ice cream, masks, earrings and more.
And on their Facebook page you can also find recipes for homemade elderberry muffins and cookies.
