Have you ever heard about elder flower? This is an ancient flower which has long history of use in traditional German medicine. These flowers are loaded with number of beneficial properties that are helpful in maintaining our body healthy.
This flower is also called with number of names like European elder flower, European black elder flower, bountry, common elder, ellanwood, haut bois, sambuc, sambucus, sambucus nigra, ellhorn, sussier, sweet elder.
Elder flower comes from the family of adoxacae, which is potentially toxic elder plant but has some extraordinary benefits. The tea form this plant will make your day and keep doctors at bay. The tea made from elder flower is becoming increasingly popular in northern hemisphere these days.
You can also use berries of this plant, but never use leaves, sticks and roots of this plant.
Different Types Of Elder
Different types of elder plants can be found all around the world. There are more than 2 dozen different species of this plant like black elder, Mexicana elder sambucus racemosa, europeon red elder sambucus australasica.
These different types of elder have berries that vary in color from like black, bluish, red , you can even find these in yellow and white color too. The elder flower is commonly in white color to pale cream. Its presence can be seen mostly in northern hemisphere and in North America.
Is Elder Flower Tea Good For Your Health?
Yes, of course this wonderful tea has many beneficial properties and loaded with anti bacterial, anti inflammatory properties and used for medicinal purposes. Amongst many benefits and uses, we will see few of them as follows:
Elderflower is commonly used to:
- To treat condition called bronchitis
- Reduce bleeding
- Prevent common cold and flu
- Reduce redness of your eyes because of allergies
- Acts as an antioxidant
- Acts as a diuretic
- As a gargle for mouth issues
- Treats swelling and inflammation
Benefits Of Elder Flower Tea
According to several studies and researches elder flower tea has numerous benefits to support the use of medicinal cure. However, centuries of tried and true medicine provide “hands on” proof for benefits of elder flower.
Benefits Of Elder Flower Tea As Follows:
Rich In Vitamin C
Elder flowers are rich in vitamin C, this vitamin plays vital role in maintaining our immune system. Even the berries contain high amount of this vitamin and strengthens ones immune system when taken regularly.
Reduces Cold And Flu
The diaphoretic properties will help you to get rid of cold which is mostly due to weather change or allergy.
Helps In Weight Loss
Elderflower is a powerful diuretic, according to American botanical council this wonderful flower will aid in condition such as congestive heart failure, weight loss and other conditions that cause water retention.
Treats Arthristis
This flower can also treat conditions caused by inflammation like arthritis, due to the presence of flavonoids and triterpenus in the flower.
Reduces Eye Infections
This is also widely used in making eye drops to get rid of eye infections and allergies because of its powerful anti allergen properties.
Lowers Cholesterol
Drinking elderflower tea will help you to lower your cholesterol levels. This is due to powerful antioxidant called quercetin which is good for you.
Fights Stress
If you are fully stressed out with your work then elderflower tea is the best way to get rid of stress.
The calming properties in this wonderful tea will help you relax your mind and make you feel ok, try to take a cup of tea instead of running to pills.
Are There Any Side Effects Of Elder Flower Tea?
Even though it has numerous benefits, it is also linked with few side effects which are are follows:
- Consuming excessive amount of elderflower tea will obviously lead us to face many health issues. Because some parts of elder flower contain cyanide like substance, however it can be removed easily by cooking. Anyways taking precaution is one of the best ways to protect our health.
- Pregnant women should not consume elder flower tea without consulting your doctor. It is suggested to avoid completely for breastfeeding women.
- If you are diabetic patient, then you should not consume this tea, because this tea has ability to reduce blood sugar levels if you drink it often, it obviously drops down your blood sugar levels completely which is very dangerous. Consult your doctor before including elder flower tea in your regularly.
- If you are using any medications for blood thinning and diabetes then elderflower tea has negative effects when it combines with these medications. It’s better to avoid tea while using medications.
How To Make Elder Flower Tea?
It is very simple process to make elderflower tea, let’s see how to make and what are the ingredients required.
Ingredients Required
- One tea pot
- 4 elder flowers
- One cup of hot water
What You Need To Do
In a tea pot, steep four fresh elder flowers or you can also use 2 teaspoons of dried blossom in a cup of boiling water for more than 5 minutes. Don’t forget to place a lid on the cup, so that aroma and flavonoids in tea will get trapped in.
Now, remove this and drink it, you can also add little amount of honey which will give you great taste.
How Much Amount Of Elder Flower Tea Should Be Taken In A Day?
We have gone through benefits, side effects of elder flower tea; let’s see how much amount of elder flower tea should be taken in a day.
It is always better to consume in little amount like you should take elder flower tea for two to three times a day.
If you drink this tea before going to bed, it will give you peaceful and stress free sleep all over night.
Believe me, regular consumption of this wonderful tea will definitely help you to maintain perfect shape and keep all diseases or infections at bay.