Elderberry Tea Recipe • Six Dollar Family (2024)

By Stacy Williams

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A few years ago when I first began researching the different benefits of herbal tea blends, one of the first that I tried was an elderberry tea recipe. Not only did the taste amaze me, but I love how many benefits of elderberry there are just jam packed in a hot cup of elderberry tea!

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If you’re a fan of wild berries, this immune boosting tea should be right up your alley. Years after I first began making my own, it is still one of my favorites!

If you’ve ever had your entire family come down sick at once, it will become one of your favorites too.

How to Make Elderberry Tea

If drinking herbal teas is not your thing, you can still cash in on the health benefits of elderberries by taking an elderberry syrup instead. I really like THIS one. The taste is amazing!

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Do Elderberries Really Boost Your Immune System

The short answer is yes. Elderberries are literally jam packed with Vitamin C as well as iron, B12 (energy!), calcium, and Vitamin A. We know that Vitamin C is one of the keys to a healthy immune system. In addition, elderberries are full of phytochemicals which are antioxidants that can help fight free radicals in the body.

In fact, Purdue University published a study on the medicinal uses of elderberry. In this study, they confirmed that elderberries have more Vitamin C than most commonly consumed foods – short of strawberries – and more antioxidant potential than cranberries or blueberries.

Medicinal Uses of Elderberries

Yes. There are multiple peer-reviewed studies –like this one – that show that elderberry syrup or tea taken at the first sign of a cold or the flu can help shorten its duration and ease the severity of symptoms.

That alone makes it worth it for me to keep a fresh batch of elderberry syrup on hand as well as the ingredients needed to make a soothing cup of elderberry tea.

Do you need fresh elderberries to make an elderberry tea recipe?

No! If you’re wondering if you can make elderberry tea with dried elderberries or if you must have fresh, the answer is both.

If you happen to have an elderberry bush in your garden – I have two! – you can use fresh berries when they’re ready to harvest. If not, you can absolutely purchase dried elderberry to make your immune boosting tea recipe.

Just be sure the dried elderberries you buy are organic. It does not make much sense to buy an ingredient for an herbal tea that may have extra added chemicals.

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.

How to Make an Immune Boosting Tea Recipe

Elderberry Tea Recipe • Six Dollar Family (2)

You Will Need: Recipe will make 8-12 oz of elderberry tea

Supplies Needed:

Elderberry Tea Recipe • Six Dollar Family (3)

To make your own immune boosting tea, bring the water and elderberries to a boil in a small saucepan.

Once you’ve reached a boil, immediately turn the heat down. Stir in the cinnamon and turmeric (if using).

Simmer for 20 minutes making sure to stir a couple of times. Remove from the heat and stir in raw honey to sweeten.

Strain entire tea through a fine mesh strainer to remove he elderberries. Serve hot or iced! It’s your choice!

Why add cherry juice to elderberry tea?

I love to add tart cherry juice to my elderberry tea. Like elderberries, tart cherry is full of Vitamin C making my immune boosting tea even more potent, Vitamin A, Omega 3 and 6, and more.

Plus, I think it makes it taste even more amazing!

I prefer to add THIS art cherry juice concentrate most of the time.

Looking for more natural remedies? You may enjoy these:

Herbal tea is much more than a drink! These 15 awesome benefits of drinking herbal teas will show you how they can help with health issues, stress and so much more!

Fancy a cuppa tea? Dandelion Root Tea is one of my favorite herbal teas! These 16 benefits of dandelion root tea will have you drinking cup after cup!

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Elderberry Tea Recipe

Boost your immune system with a Vitamin C packed cup of elderberry tea! This elderberry tea recipe is healthy, simple and delicious!

Course Beverages

Cuisine American

Keyword Elderberry, Herbal Tea

Prep Time 3 minutes minutes

Cook Time 20 minutes minutes

Total Time 23 minutes minutes

Servings 1 8 oz cup

Author Stacy Williams

Cost 1.50

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 1 tbsp fresh or dried elderberries If using fresh, wash first.
  • 1/8-1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 8 oz water
  • 1/4-1/2 tsp turmeric optional
  • 4 oz tart cherry juice optional

Instructions

  • Bring the water and elderberries to a boil in a small saucepan.

  • Once you’ve reached a boil, immediately turn the heat down. Stir in the cinnamon and turmeric (if using).

  • Simmer for 20 minutes making sure to stir a couple of times. Remove from heat and stir in raw honey to sweeten.

  • Strain entire tea through a fine mesh strainer to remove the elderberries.

  • Serve hot or iced.

Elderberry Tea Recipe • Six Dollar Family (2024)

FAQs

Is it okay to drink elderberry tea every day? ›

Elderberries offer excellent nutrition that contains antioxidants and vitamin C, which can boost the immune system among other benefits. Yes, you can take elderberry supplements daily, even three to four times a day.

How long to cook elderberries to remove toxins? ›

🍳 The Right Way to Cook Elderberries

Cooking elderberries is not just a culinary step; it's a safety measure. To neutralize toxins, specifically cyanide-inducing glycosides, heat treatment is a must. Boiling elderberries for at least 30 minutes is the go-to method.

Who should not take elderberry? ›

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.

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.

Is elderberry safe for the liver? ›

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.

Is elderberry tea good for your kidneys? ›

Elderberry is a rich source of antioxidants, minerals, and vitamins that help our immune system. It's popular in folk medicine, and researchers have now confirmed that it helps treat cold fever and influenza. Furthermore, it helps reduce stress and aids in diabetes, heart problems, liver diseases, kidney problems, etc.

Does boiling elderberries destroy vitamin C? ›

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

How to remove cyanide from elderberries? ›

Simmer it for about 20 minutes; this should be enough to break down the cyanogenic compounds. But remember, you need to stir them occasionally to ensure even heat distribution. After cooking, strain the mixture using a fine-mesh sieve.

Does heat destroy elderberry? ›

Cooking the berries destroys the glycosides present in the seeds, making the berries with their seeds safe to eat. As such, the fruit of the Black Elderberry should always be cooked before consumption.

What are the negative side effects of elderberry? ›

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.

Which autoimmune diseases should avoid elderberry? ›

People who have autoimmune conditions such as multiple sclerosis (MS), rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, psoriasis, and inflammatory bowel disease should not use elderberry. Elderberry may boost the immune system, which can worsen autoimmune diseases. Many autoimmune disorders require immunosuppressant drugs.

What is the best form of elderberry to take? ›

You can choose from many forms, such as capsules, teas, lozenges, liquids and gummies. If you struggle with swallowing, you may prefer lozenges or gummies, whereas if you prefer to consume your supplement as a warm drink, tea will suit you. For quick consumption, an elderberry extract or pills will be the way to go.

Is Bigelow green tea with elderberry good for you? ›

This nutrient offers benefits that may include protection against immune system deficiencies, cardiovascular disease, and other health conditions. When coupled with elderberry and green tea, it's no wonder this flavor is considered a powerhouse!

Can I drink elderberry tea every day? ›

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.

What to do with elderberries after boiling? ›

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  1. Add the cooked berries to baked goods or pancakes. (taste and sweeten extra if needed)⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
  2. Feed to chickens (or pigs!)⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
  3. Make ART! ...
  4. Pour a solid amount of vinegar over the berries, and. ...
  5. I'm guessing you could also steep used berries in. ...
  6. Toss them into the compost (along with the fully-
May 24, 2020

Does elderberry tea have side effects? ›

Elderberry side effects

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.

Can you overdo elderberry? ›

The bark, unripe berries, and seeds contain small amounts of substances known as lectins, which can cause stomach problems if too much is eaten (2). In addition, the elderberry plant contains substances called cyanogenic glycosides, which can release cyanide in some circ*mstances.

How long does elderberry tea stay in your system? ›

The water-soluble components in elderberry extract only stay in your body for 1-2 days before being excreted.

Is it better to take elderberry in the morning or at night? ›

Elderberry can generally be consumed at any time of day—in the morning, at night, or in between. Since it's a food itself, you could take Elderberry on an empty stomach if it seems to work for you. It can also be taken with food.

References

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