Elderberry is not recommended for children and adolescents under 18 years old, or pregnant or lactating women. While no negative events have been reported in these groups, there is not enough data to confirm that it is safe ( 2). Summary It works by inhibiting the production of nitric oxide - one of the signaling molecules involved in inflammation. If the taste of elderberry isn’t your cup of tea to begin with (sorry, had to go there!), try adding an herbal tea bag like peppermint or chamomile to mellow out the flavor. Brinkeborn R. M., Shah D. V., Degenring F. H. (1999). Echinaforce (R) and other Echinacea fresh plant preparations in the treatment of the common cold - A randomized, placebo controlled, double-blind clinical trial. Phytomedicine 6, 1–6 10.1016/S0944-7113(99)80027-0

Studies have shown elderberry juice may reduce the level of fat in the blood and decrease cholesterol. In addition, a diet high in flavonoids like anthocyanins has been found to reduce the risk of heart disease ( 17, 22). Additionally, one study found that antioxidant status improved in people 1 hour after drinking 400 mL of elderberry juice. Another study in rats found that elderberry extract helped reduce inflammation and oxidative tissue damage ( 20, 21). Echinacea is a centuries-old natural remedy for the flu and the common cold, and the medicinal uses of the plant are believed to have first been recognized by Native Americans. While echinacea tea may be most known for its anti-viral properties, it offers a host of other benefits for a healthy lifestyle as well. Echinacea is believed to possess natural antihistamine properties, which may help alleviate allergy symptoms such as sneezing, itching, and congestion. Anti-Inflammatory PropertiesYou May Like: How Do You Get Tea Stains Out Of Carpet Health Benefits And Uses 1. Provides Cold and Flu Relief Place them into a blender and pulverize them. Store them in an airtight container for up to 1 year. Use the ratio of 1 teaspoon of dried elderberries to 1 cup of water. Although possibly safe, there isn’t enough research to demonstrate the safety profile of these two herbs during pregnancy. Pregnant or nursing women should not take elderberry or echinacea without consulting their doctor first.

The truth is, both herbs have their own unique set of benefits. So, it really depends on what you are hoping to get out of them. Some of the vitamins, minerals, and nutrients in elderberries are also found in elderberry tea. Therefore, certain benefits may be associated with the drink. The bulk of the research for elderberries and elderberry tea focuses on their potential as a treatment for influenza. I noticed a lot of vitamin-rich ingredients in this tea. Both elderberry and beetroot are bursting with vitamins A and C, plus there’s extra vitamin C from the rosehip. And then there’s anise and ginger, two tea ingredients I know are good for soothing away nausea and common ingredients in cold/flu remedies.

Health Benefits of Elderberry Tea

Fights harmful bacteria. Elderberry has been found to inhibit the growth of bacteria like Helicobacter pylori and may improve symptoms of sinusitis and bronchitis ( 9). Here’s why: As I cover in this post on different types of herbal preparations, roots, bark, dried berries and woody plant parts need a little coaxing to release their therapeutic compounds. They need to simmer in water for 20-60 minutes (depending on the herb and what you’re trying to achieve), but that’s way too long for delicate flowers like echinacea.

For general immune support, you can drink elderberry and echinacea tea daily. If you’re using it to help fight a cold or flu, it’s best to start drinking the tea at the first sign of symptoms and continue until they subside. How Often Can You Drink Elderberry and Echinacea Tea? The elderberry tea benefits is rich in B-vitamins, which are considered an essential element for boosting your bodys metabolism. Therefore, an improved metabolism will help in increasing the fat burning process of your body and also results in significant weight loss. It also helps in streamlining the various process of the body related to your digestion and hormones. Do Elderberries Cause Cytokine StormsThe 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 the article above I dive into its Ayurvedic origins and benefits, plus how to make it in four flavors: Research has found that the elderberry plant contains significant amounts of bioactive compounds — a substance that controls metabolic processes (energy that helps your body function). It’s suggested that eating compounds like the ones found in elderberries can lower your risk of chronic diseases.

What’s more, elderberry can increase insulin secretion and improve blood sugar levels. Given that type 2 diabetes is a major risk factor for heart and vascular disease, blood sugar management is important in preventing these conditions ( 4, 9). Antioxidants are natural components of foods, including some vitamins, phenolic acids, and flavonoids, that are able to help remove these reactive molecules. Research suggests that diets high in antioxidants may help prevent chronic disease ( 8, 14, 15).Please tell us how you store/preserve 2 gallons of elderberry juice without spoilage, I recently I had a 16 oz. bottle of it (with 50% honey added) for about 3 mos. in the refrigerator & there was mold growing inside the bottle where there had been syrup, don’t remember if there was mold on surface of syrup or not, I threw the whole thing out. Ideally, both of these herbs are helpful because they have beneficial antioxidant and immune-boosting effects. But when you’re forced to choose just one, elderberry is usually preferred. Fortunately, the ripe berries and flowers do not contain the same toxin. However, eating ripe berries may have other negative health side effects. The safest way to eat elderberries is cooked. Cooking eliminates sambunigrin from any part of the elderberry plant. If I feel any type of upper respiratory infection starting ( runny/stuffy nose etc.) I take a table spoon of it & my symptoms are usually gone within 20 min. or less, been doing this for about 8 years.