Learn the Health Benefits of Elderberry Tea
Elderberry
The Native Americans have used elderberry tea for hundreds of years to treat ailments, especially respiratory problems. The flowers and ripe berries of the plant are used medicinally. The leaves, branches, twigs, roots, and seeds have a cyanide producing glycoside that can be toxic if ingested.
Health Benefits of Elderberry Tea
Respiratory System
Elderberry tea can help tone the mucous lining in the nose and throat, thus giving it the ability to better resist infections. It is used to prevent and treat the common cold. It is a decongestant and can be effective in treating different types of allergies, including hay fever. It helps in the treatment of laryngitis, sinusitis, and tonsillitis. It also has a relaxing effect that can benefit asthmatics. To treat a sore throat, gargle with elderberry tea several times a day.
Elderberry can help in the treatment of influenza but for better results, an extract of elderberry should be used. In one study, 60 individuals (18-54 years old) with flu-like symptoms were either given elderberry extract or a placebo 4 times a day for 5 days. Those who took the extract had significant improvement compared to those who took the placebo. Most of the elderberry group had ‘pronounced improvement’ in 3-4 days while those in the placebo group took 7-8 days. The use of medications (nasal sprays and painkillers) were significantly less in the elderberry group.
Fever
Elderberry tea can induce a heavy sweat if you drink it as hot as possible without burning yourself. It is best if the tea is taken as soon as the first signs of a fever occur, such as chills and body aches.
Other health benefits of elderberry tea include:
- acting as a mild diuretic
- removing toxins from the body
- treating mouth ulcers when gargled
- treating sore and inflamed eyes when used as an eye wash.
Preparing Elderberry Tea
Pour 250 ml of boiling water over 3-5 grams of dried elderberry flowers, cover, steep 10-15 minutes, and strain. Drink up to 3 cups throughout the day.
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