Elderberry Tea Benefits: 7 Amazing Ways It Can Change Your Body
Made from the tart berries plucked from the family of the Sambucus tree, elderberry tea has been a healing remedy for thousands of years. The humble elderberry is considered to be quite the superfood. It was first used by early indigenous people of the Americas to brew up heady concoctions to boost the immune system, detox and cleanse the body, reduce inflammation, and to treat fevers, cold, and flu too.
Beyond being a simple folk medicine, elderberry is still revered in our modern world. It is harvested and crushed up into jams, chutneys, and even wines and is loved because of its tart flavor and delicate muscat scent. It is also delicious in tea and comes heaped in rich and heavenly nutritional benefits too. Lets do a deep dive into all the elderberry tea benefits
Easy Elderberry Tea Recipe
Elderberry Tea is a delicious and immune boosting tea thats made with dried elderberries, cinnamon, ginger, and honey. This healthy tea can strengthen the immune system and fight off a cold or flu. Here is a simple and easy recipe that shows how you can make this natural remedy tea at home!
Is Elderberry Syrup Safe
Yes, if prepared properly!There is a toxin in the dried berries that is deactivated by proper cooking. Pick though the dried berries to remove any sticks or unripe berries before you cook them. Then follow the recipe instructions. The berries have to be cooked for at least 45 minutes to ensure the deactivation of the toxin that can result in adverse gastrointestinal symptoms.
Also if you have any concerns about taking this natural culinary remedy speak to your doctor. This is especially true if you have an autoimmune disorder, so consult your doctor before taking it if you have any questions whether this is right for you.
This recipe contains raw honey so this is not safe for children under 1 years of age to consume.
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How Can You Make Elderberry Syrup Shelf Stable
As we covered above, syrups that are shelf stable, meaning that they are able to sit out at room temperature for a long period of time without spoiling, require more sugar, alcohol, or a combination of the two. You’re going to have to add something to discourage the development of bacteria and mold. To make this syrup more family-friendly, my recipe uses less sugar and no alcohol and is intended to be kept in the refrigerator. However, if you want a more shelf stable syrup, you can double the honey in our recipe or add the optional alcohol.
Can You Eat Elderberries Raw
No. PLEASE do not eat or drink raw elderberries or any part of the elderberry bush raw.
Raw elderberries, the leaves, flowers, bark and roots all contain lectin and cyanide, both of which can cause nausea, diarrhea or worse.
In order to destroy those chemicals and make elderberry tea something that is healthy, you must allow it simmer and cook for at least 15 minutes.
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How To Get The Most Benefits Of Elderberry Tea
After youve strained the elderberries and additional herbs, you can cover them with water and simmer them again to extract the remaining compounds. This second brewing makes a weaker tea that still is quite flavorful and likely contains many beneficial compounds.
You can even get a third batch of still weaker tea after straining again. Though its likely less medicinally powerful, its still a nice fruity herbal tea, though not what Id suggest using if youre battling flu. It will taste much weaker as well, so you probably wont want to dilute it with additional water.
Wondering what else you can do with elderberries? Try making syrup and adding it to this immune-boosting overnight oats recipe. Here are 20 other uses for elderberries to consider, and of course, you can find many, many more in my book, Everything Elderberry.
Have you tried elderberry tea? Whats your favorite way to make it?
Pin to save this elderberry tea recipe and info on maximizing its benefits for later!
Disclaimer: Im a health enthusiast, not a medical professional. Content on this website is intended for informational purposes only and is not meant to provide personalized medical advice. Please consult them for more information and a licensed professional for personalized recommendations.
: Photo of elderberries growing by Anemone123, others by yours truly
Can You Drink Elderberry Tea Every Day
Yes. Elderberry tea is rich in nutrients, can boost a healthy immune system, and is free from caffeine and is considered to be a safe and side-effect free drink to enjoy in moderation. If you want to top up your body with the good stuff, you can sip a beautiful cup of tea every single day without worry. Elderberry tea is especially good to drink during cold and flu season as it can help to reduce the severity of symptoms and get you back on your feet in no time.
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Elderberry Tea Is The Best Tea For Chilly Days
Published: by Chantal Kirkland · This post may contain affiliate links ·
- Pin2
I’ll be honest, here at the early edge of winter this year, I’ve been craving Elderberry Tea, seeking that comforting brew for all of its benefits and just its warming nature.
I don’t know why I have a thing for elderberry tea in particular this year. Maybe it’s just my need for a bit of comfort, maybe it’s just that my tastebuds are in for it.
But it doesn’t really matter.
What matters is that I love it and it’s super easy to make and there’s so much flavor, it’s definitely a tea you need to try this winter.
So, grab your favorite mug and let’s get making!
More Therapeutic Tea Recipes
Dandelion Root Tea This rich, creamy tea is so delicious that I always make a double batch one cup for me, and one to replace that cup when my littles steal away its deliciousness. Its helpful for, balancing hormones, detox, and digestion, plus it has anti-inflammatory properties and minerals, too.
Lemon Ginger Tea This immune support tea is made with three essential ingredients, plus 1-5 optional additions based on what you have on hand.
Moon Milk Theres something that just feels so beautiful and therapeutic even enchanting about whipping up a nighttime cup of moon milk with sleep supporting herbs.
In the article above I dive into its Ayurvedic origins and benefits, plus how to make it in four flavors:
- Golden Milk With Turmeric
- Chai
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Can Elderberry Be Toxic
They contain a cyanide-inducing glycoside. Eating a sufficient quantity of these cyanide-inducing glycosides can cause a toxic buildup of cyanide in the body and make you quite ill. Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and even coma. Most people recover quickly, although hospitalization may be required.
Elderberry Recipes For Kids
My kids always like to add more honey or sugar to the tea. You can also add other flavors such as lemon or orange juice. If you make extra elderberry tea, you can let them cool down, and store in mason jars in the refrigerator. Serve them with ice for elderberry ice tea.
More Elderberries Recipes Youll Love:
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How To Make Elderberry Fruit Tea
To make elderberry fruit tea use about 1-2 teaspoons of dried berries per cup of water. You can either simmer them ih water over the stove, or steep like a regular tea. Either method will require at least 10-15 minutes. Strain and add sweetener. Just like the elderberry flower tea, elderberry fruit tea taste delicious with some honey.
Cherry T herbal tea with cherries, elderberries and other fruits
How To Make Elderberry Flower Tea
To make elderberry tea from dried elderberry flowers, use about 3-4 grams of dried flowers per cup of water. Bring water to a boil. Place dried flowers into a teapot and pour hot water. Cover the teapot and let it steep for 10 minutes. Elderberry flower tea tastes delicious with lemon and honey.
To enhance the flavor and add citrusy note, wash one organic lemon and cut it into thin slices. Add the lemon into a teapot together with 1 tablespoon of dried flowers and steep in about 500 ml of water for 10 minutes. Pour into a mug and add a teaspoon of honey.
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What Is Elderberry Syrup
Elderberry syrup is made from black elderberries, which grow on the Elder plant, AKA Sambucus nigra. These flowering plants are native to Europe.
Elderberries contain antioxidants and vitamins that may boost the immune system, like Vitamin A and Vitamin C among others. Many people enjoy a sugary syrup made from elderberries, honey and spices to ward off and quell illnesses like the common cold, a sore throat or flu symptoms.
However, elderberries must be cooked before eating them, as they are mildly poisonous in their raw state. Cooking eliminates these toxins, so making syrup is a delicious way to avoid disaster.
The color of this syrup is a dark red in small doses, but altogether it looks very dark in a bottle.
Disclaimer: I am not a doctor or wellness expert myself, so I cannot claim there are any health benefits to drinking elderberry syrup. Please use this syrup as a natural remedy at your own risk and consult your health care provider if you have any concerns.
How Do I Take Elderberry Syrup When Sick
Some people take 1 tablespoon of Elderberry Syrup during the cold and flu season daily, and then increase this dosage to once every 2-3 waking hours at the very first sign of illness or known exposure to the cold or flu, for 2-4 days. Kids need a smaller amount of 1 teaspoon a day during cold and flu season that can then be increased to 1 teaspoon every 3 hours during an illness! It is stored in the refrigerator so you can just pour it in a spoon and take by mouth as desired.
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Elderberry Citrus Ginger Tea Recipe
Soothing Citrus Ginger
Comfort in a Cup
Its still a bit nippy outside on a spring morning, and that means a hot cup of tea is just the thing to start the day.
But by afternoon were shedding the sweaters and looking for something cool to drink. Such is the state of the weather here in Utah. Cold one minute, hot the next.
Weve got you covered for that hot drink and the cold one as well. Our teas are the perfect solution. You can prepare them hot or cold with a splash of milk, lemon, honey, or sugar, and they taste amazing!
Were especially fond of our new Elderberry Citrus Ginger Tea. With all the goodness of elderberries, plus seven health-promoting herbs, its a relaxing tea rich in antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immune boosting benefits.
And over ice, its a delicious fruity pick-me-up on a warm afternoon.
But before we get into how to make these yummy hot and cold drinksHeres the line-up of health benefits:
Elderberries: Elderberries are full of antioxidants and vitamins that may help support the immune system. They may also help tame inflammation, lessen stress, and protect your heart. Some experts recommend elderberries to help prevent cold and flu symptoms. *
Ginger: Ginger root has powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects and may help fight flu and the common cold. *
Lemon Peel: Lemons are high in Vitamin C and contain many beneficial plant compounds, minerals, and may have anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antiparasitic properties. *
How To Maximize The Benefits Of Elderberry Tea
In general, herbalists recommend taking elderberry often at the first sign of illness, so frequent small doses are considered more effective than larger ones taken less frequently. If you take elderberry syrup every couple hours, youll wind up consuming a great deal of sugar. If you use tincture, youll take in quite a bit of alcohol.
Making a strong tea like the one in the elderberry tea recipe below and diluting it in hot water to be sipped throughout the day is one easy way to get your elderberry without overdoing the sugar or alcohol. I prefer elderberry tea unsweetened, but you can add a little honey if you like.
If you want to learn more about using medicinal herbs to support health, check out the array of herbal courses offered by The Herbal Academy. Heres a list of the courses theyre currently enrolling.
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Printable Elderberry Tea Recipe
Cook Time: Total Time:
Elderberry tea is a delicious and healthy beverage that you can make at home with a few simple ingredients. Elderberries are rich in vitamin C, antioxidants, and other nutrients which support your immune system making this a great choice for cold and flu season!
- 2 Tbsp of dried elderberries
- 2 cups hot water
How To Make Elderberry Tea + The Benefits Of Elderberry Tea
Learn about the benefits of elderberry tea and get an easy elderberry tea recipe. This only has three ingredients, and I give you options for more herbs and spices to add to it for their benefits as well. Learn how to make elderberry tea hot or cold for a delicious drink to support your immune system.
I learned about elderberry and their benefits a few years ago. Now, elderberry syrup is part of my immune support all year round.
I take elderberry syrup to support my immune system, and my kids love elderberry gummies. I don’t take it daily, so sometimes I make this elderberry tea recipe to have instead of the syrup.
This is a very easy recipe with just three ingredients. This is a perfect recipe for when you are out of syrup since it’s so quick to make.
You can also use your spent elderberries to make an elderberry tea recipe so you can squeeze all of the goodness out of your berries.
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How Do You Make Elderberry Tea
Some people prefer to use elderberry syrup for making the tea. But, it would be incorrect to call this tea. The actual elderberry tea is made from dried elderberries or the elderflower. We have an easy recipe that you can follow to make this tea at home. We have included spices that might help boost its antioxidant qualities. However, these are optional. You can make the tea by just simmering the berries in hot water. Although it has a sweet-tart taste, you may add a little dash of honey to sweeten it further.
What Do You Need To Make Elderberry Tea
Lets start by gathering your very simple ingredients to make this immune-boosting tea recipe.
- Dried elderberries. Chances are you wont find these little gems in your local grocery store. If you do then Im a little jealous. Since I also make elderberry syrup for my kids and myself I order a large bag of dried elderberries online HERE.
- Raw Unfiltered Honey. Honey is a natural sweetener, lower on the glycemic index and much better for you than traditional sugar. I always opt for raw and unfiltered honey. This is the honey that I love, and if I cant find it at my local grocery store I get it online HERE.
- Fine Mesh Tea Strainer. Once you simmer your elderberries you will need to strain your tea liquid from the dried berries. A fine mesh tea strainer works best for this. You can get one like this online HERE.
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Directions to Make Elderberry Tea for Flu:
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Effects of Drinking Elderberry Tea
Where to Buy Elderberry?
While you are at it, you can also find elderberry syrup online HERE.
For more healthy clean eating recipes make sure to follow my clean eating Pinterest board here: Clean Eating.
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Are The Benefits Of Elderflower The Same As Elderberries
They may hail from the same tree and each is drenched in health benefits but elderberries and elderflower bring different traits to the table. Elderflowers are much more delicate in taste and aroma compared to the tart sharpness that the elderberry can bring. Elderflower can also be used when battling cold and flu but can also be used as a gargle for those suffering from laryngitis or a sore throat and used to treat itchy eyes and skin ailments too. You can read more about the health benefits of elderflower right here.
How To Make Elderberry Tea From Leftover Berries
There are two simple ways to make elderberry tea that I am going to show you today. First, you can make a batch of tea from leftover elderberries after making elderberry syrup
This is my personal favorite method, since my husband and I are very frugal and dont like throwing things away! This way, we feel we are getting every little drop of goodness out of our elderberries since they arent cheap.
All you have to do is set aside your mashed berries after making elderberry syrup. Once your syrup-making ritual is complete, add your leftover berries to a large teapot .
Cover leftover berries with around 8 cups of boiling water in your teapot and allow to steep for around 30 minutes . If making in a saucepan, cover berries with 8 cups water and bring to a boil. Set aside and allow to steep for 30 minutes.
Re-using your elderberries doesnt make a super strong tea, since a most of the elderberry juices went into your syrup. But theres enough leftover for a pot of tea, for sure!
Tea lovers pro tip: Invest in one of these awesome little spoon strainers! You can make any sort of loose leaf tea and simply pour it straight from your teapot into your teacup without big, messy strainers. The small spoon strainer catches any leaves, berries, or loose material. Highly recommend!
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