4 Ingredient Elderberry Tea - Recipes From A Pantry (2024)

FAQs

Is it safe to make tea from dried elderberries? ›

As a result, in spite of the toxicity of raw, unripe elderberries, properly prepared elderberry tea is not thought to have any significant health risks.

Given its potential to strengthen your body's immune system and promote overall wellness, it should be. * Elderberry tea is a satisfyingly tart and tangy drink you can enjoy daily, hot or cold. Elderberries aren't one of the berries you'll find year-round in your grocery store. But they aren't uncommon.

Elderberry appears to have few side effects when used properly for short periods of time (up to 5 days). Pregnant and breastfeeding women should not take elderberry. If you have an autoimmune disease, such as rheumatoid arthritis or lupus, ask your doctor before taking elderberry, as it may stimulate the immune system.

While elderberry syrup is praised for its potential to help you get back on track after the flu, research suggests elderberry tea may offer a different set of perks. Notably, elderberry tea may help reduce chronic constipation.

To neutralize toxins, specifically cyanide-inducing glycosides, heat treatment is a must. Boiling elderberries for at least 30 minutes is the go-to method. This ensures the destruction of harmful compounds. Steaming or baking can also do the trick, as long as the berries reach a high enough temperature.

Elderberries contain vitamin C, but much of it is destroyed by heat. Adding lemon juice provides an additional vitamin C boost to the syrup.

Elderberry can lower blood pressure.

The antioxidants, such as polyphenols found in elderberry, lower blood pressure by reducing oxidative stress. Elderberry also lowers uric acid in the bloodstream. Both oxidative stress and uric acid have been found to be a main cause of high blood pressure.

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.

Cardiovascular disease risk biomarkers and liver and kidney function are not altered in postmenopausal women after ingesting an elderberry extract rich in anthocyanins for 12 weeks.

Does elderberry tea raise blood pressure? ›

One Elderberry Tea benefits is it contains flavonoids which are known to be beneficial in lowering blood pressure by relaxing the walls of the arteries and reducing stiffness in vessels. Elderberry tea also contains Vitamins B6 and C which have both been linked with helping reduce hypertension symptoms.

Elderberry is possibly unsafe when uncooked leaves, stems, or fruit are consumed. The elderberry plant contains a chemical that produces cyanide in the leaves or other plant parts and in the unripe green fruit. This can cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, or more serious side effects if consumed in large quantities.

These processes typically breakdown the cyanogenic glycoside (sambunigrin, in the case of elderberry) which leads to the production of cyanide. Cyanide is very volatile (evaporates at slightly above room temperature), so drying or roasting would effectively remove any low levels of poison from the berries.

Elderberry tea is a natural remedy that has been used for centuries to treat the symptoms of colds and flu. The Elderberry tree is known as Sambucus Nigra, and its antioxidant compounds are both anti-viral and antibacterial, which makes it an ideal choice for treating respiratory illnesses.

The uncooked berries, leaves, bark, and roots of the elderberry plant contain the chemicals lectin and cyanide, which can cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Cooking the berries and seeds will remove the cyanide.

Dried elderberries can be used to make a tincture. This is a great idea for those who want the power of the syrup without the honey. Dried elderberries can also be added to muffins or pancakes for a berry flavor similar to blueberries but not quite as sweet.