The cold dark months can create a drain on your energy and vitality. Support warmth from the inside out by drinking this warming elderberry tea blend.
This tea blend is made with a variety of spices and fruit. It’s not from traditional tea leaves, and it does not disappoint. We used elderberry, orange, cinnamon, peppercorn, cayenne, clove and cardamom for this energy-boosting blend.
Elderberry has been used historically for pain relief, swelling, inflammation, to stimulate the production of urine and to induce sweating. The bark was used as a diuretic, laxative and to induce vomiting (1). In folk medicine, the dried berries or juice are used to treat influenza, infections, sciatica, headaches, dental pain, heart pain, and nerve pain, as well as a laxative and diuretic (2).
In our household, we don’t use elderberry as a medicine, but instead, use the berries to make tea or syrup to enhance our recipes. We use it to support our immune system against common colds and the flu. In studies, elderberry extract has been found to reduce the length and severity of symptoms caused by the influenza virus. While these results are promising, further large-scale human studies are needed. While elderberry has been associated with many promising health benefits, most of the research has only been conducted in a lab setting and not tested extensively in humans.
Therefore, elderberry cannot be recommended for any particular health benefit.
Benefits of elderberries:
- High in vitamin C: There are 6–35 mg of vitamin C per 100 grams of fruit, which accounts for up to 60% of the recommended daily intake (3, 4).
- High in dietary fiber: Elderberries contain 7 grams of fiber per 100 grams of fresh berries, which is over one-quarter of the recommended daily intake (4).
- A good source of phenolic acids: These compounds are powerful antioxidants that can help reduce damage from oxidative stress in the body (4, 5).
- A good source of flavonols: Elderberry contains the antioxidant flavonols quercetin, kaempferol and isorhamnetin. The flowers contain up to 10 times more flavonols than the berries (4).
- Rich in anthocyanins: These compounds give the fruit its characteristic dark black-purple color and are a strong antioxidant with anti-inflammatory effects (4, 6Trusted Source).
Elderberries are steeped in water along with spicy Autumn herbs and even a little cayenne pepper for warming, immune-supporting tea blend.
Each day needs a tea ritual! Switching from individually wrapped tea bags to loose leaf tea packaged in eco-friendly biodegradable or compostable packaging is a beautiful ritual to begin. Did you know that some tea bags release microplastics into your drink? A plastic tea bag can release 11 billion microplastics into hot water. Even paper bags use polypropylene to seal the bag. Becoming aware of how much waste we can reduce overtime by purchasing loose leaf tea is a wonderful way to enjoy our favorite Autumn blends and better the health of our planet. And I find having a favorite, cozy mug and beautiful teapot encourages me to use it and enjoy a few cups of tea daily, which adds so much to my day. I know this is not possible for everyone, but I find that when I enjoy a cup of chamomile in the evening, as I watch my littles outside swinging is the most reflective and relaxing part of my day. The cooler Autumn air is so refreshing and enjoyed as regularly as possible.
As a self-taught chef, I have been in and around kitchens since I was nine. I’m in my fifties now. Over the years I have researched not only in the books that I have read but also by doing , I have found a better, healthier way of living through the foods I have eaten and a deeper look into holistic medicine. Your menus popped up on my screen as I look for better concoctions to use with dried elderberry. Thank you and have a wonderful day.