Though referred to by only one name, as many as thirty small shrubs, trees and flowering plants comprise the family of the subtropical fruit bearing genus. White flowers give way to small red, blue or black berries that are widely used for food, wine and medicine. Specifically black elderberries have been an important part of folk medicine for hundreds of years, mostly for respiratory health, but elderberry tea benefits are numerous, having roots all the way back to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).
It’s important to note that while many herbal tea recipes include elderberries, the leaves and stems cannot be used and careful separation from these growth parts is required as they have been known to cause problems with the digestive system. They are easily bought both dried and frozen in many health food stores, which may be a good alternative to acquiring them elsewhere. A standard elderberry tea recipe includes two cups of filtered water and two tablespoons of dried elderberries brought to a boil and then simmered for fifteen minutes before cooling and straining. Welcome additions include turmeric, cinnamon and honey as a sweetener, if desired. There are many purported elderberry tea benefits to consider, but the best ten can be found below!
1. Immunity Boost
Elderberries are chock full of flavonoids, which is probably why they are so closely associated with stimulating the immune system. In fact, one of the most common uses for elderberry is staving off colds and other common illnesses, and some people use it at the first sign of impending illness.
2. Flu
Exciting new research is suggesting that elderberry tea benefits may include the flu, particularly the more dangerous H1N1 strain that has caused illness around the world. Commonly referred to as “swine flu,” H1N1 is thought to be more severe than other past encountered strains, and elderberry’s use in this regard has been studied in labs with fascinating results.
3. Bronchitis
Respiratory health is one of the oldest known uses of elderberry, and it’s therefore no surprise that scientific evidence is starting to support this claim. Though more research is needed, early results point to support of the alternative remedy’s past primary use.
4. Bacterial Sinus Infections
Sinus infections are very common, and they can be some of the most uncomfortable illnesses due to their lingering and unyielding symptoms. It may be the anti-inflammatory effects of the elderberry that are responsible for the positive effects in people with the condition that helps lead to symptom relief. Like other elderberry tea benefits, further research is needed to substantiate early results, but current available information points to a wealth of respiratory uses for the berry.
5. Aging
Cell destruction and degeneration specifically may be slowed thanks to bioflavonoids contained in elderberries known as anthocyanins that are thought to be amongst the most powerful antioxidants on the planet. Antioxidants are well known for their abilities to reduce the effects of cell destroying free radicals which can lead to less internal degeneration and positive effects on the aging process as well as numerous other health benefits.
6. Cancer
Though there is no profound evidence that elderberries are useful in treating cancer, elderberry tea benefits may include helping persons with the serious condition. In Israel, research into the immune boosting benefits of the berry have led to its use in oncology, though more time and research will be needed to determine the long term benefits.
7. Lowering Cholesterol
Early Austrian studies have determined that chemicals contained in the berries may prevent the oxidation of LDL (bad) cholesterol which can contribute to healthier levels of the lipid in the blood. Since an increase in bad cholesterol has been attributed to a greater risk of cardiovascular disease, it’s possible that elderberry tea benefits may include an overall reduced risk of diseases of the heart.
8. Weight Loss
There is no evidence that enjoying a brew of elderberries will help anyone lose weight, but some in the medical community have suggested that increasing overall health by supporting a healthier immune system might help contribute to healthy weight loss. In this way, it’s possible that weight loss at a minimum may be easier with elderberries, though much more research will be needed to better understand this potential relationship.
9. AIDS
The furthered stage of HIV is a serious global health problem, affecting people on every continent in every corner of the world. It’s a disease that is characterized by a breakdown of the immune system. As a result, it’s perhaps no surprise that the same Israeli Lab that has studied the berries for treatment in cancer have also looked to it to use in persons affected with the immunity related disease that is still today incurable. Much more research will be required to truly understand elderberry tea benefits in terms of serious disease affecting the immune system, but early study is very promising.
10. Laxative & Diuretic Uses
There are many herbs found in nature that are considered diuretics and laxatives, but elderberry may be a particularly good choice because it’s such a chemically complex natural product. Boasting vitamin C, tannins, amino acids, carotenoids, rutin, vitamin A and vitamin B, it’s an excellent choice for cleansing and minor bouts with constipation because it provides so many important nutrients to the body. One of the most basic of all elderberry tea benefits is healthy nutrition, making it a superior choice for a wide variety of medicinal uses.
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