How to make elderflower tea

Elderflower tea is one of those gifts of nature that is a must-have for every food gatherer when stocking up for the winter. With its delicate yet fragrant flavor, it’s become a go-to choice for those seeking a refreshing and soothing drink. Besides that, it has many incredible health benefits.

Not only is the smell of the elderflower refreshing and very pleasant, but it’s also a relieving help for any kind of cold.

The flavonoids in elderflower tea have antibiotic and diuretic effects. It’s a proven home remedy for fever; it promotes sweating and strengthens our body to become more resistant to diseases.

Don’t miss out on the magic of this wonderful plant; pick a sunny day in the early summer, grab your basket and be ready to discover the secrets of elderflowers.

Besides traditionally made spruce tip syrup and homemade helichrysum oil, elderflower tea is one of those gorgeously smelling DIY remedies that you don’t want to be without during the long winters.

Elderberry (Sambucus Nigra) habitat

Elderberries are fascinating plants that can be found in various regions around the world. They are native to Europe, North Africa, and parts of Asia. However, due to their adaptability and popularity, they have been introduced to many other parts of the world. In terms of climate preference, elderberries thrive in temperate regions with mild summers and cold winters.

When it comes to choosing a spot for growth, elderberries aren’t too picky. You can find them growing in many different habitats, such as woodlands, hedgerows, meadows, stream banks, and even disturbed areas like roadsides or abandoned fields. Many times they will thrive around abandoned houses.

They love moist soil conditions but can tolerate occasional flooding as well. That’s why you often find them near bodies of water like rivers or lakes.

Elderberries like full sun exposure but can tolerate partial shade too. That allows them to grow under the canopy of taller trees or along forest edges where they receive less sunlight throughout the day. Typically they reach heights between 5-12 feet.

The mystical world of elder tree mythology

Since ancient times elder trees have had a prominent role in mythology and folklore around the world. In various cultures, the elder tree holds significance as a symbolic bridge connecting the realms of the living and the world on the other side.

The elder tree was also known as a plant of transformation, renewal and protection. It was believed that good spirits lived in the elder trees, taking care of the safety and well-being of the owner. People who had elder trees at home believed that these warded off all the bad things from the property, not only thieves but also witches and bad energy.

In Scandinavian lore, the Elder mother lived in the tree, and when someone wanted to touch the tree or cut, he first needed to ask for permission from the inhabitant. That included prayers and offerings; otherwise, the mother would cast a spell on the person. Still today, the gypsies believe that the elder tree shouldn’t be cut at all. Russian farmers spit three times before cutting down an elder tree to ward off evil spirits.

In English and Irish folklore, it was believed that the witches could turn themselves into an elder tree and elder tree wood was used to make magic wands and broomsticks. Elder trees were never burned, and food was never cooked over elder wood.

In some places, it was believed that one could see the faeries by sitting under an elder tree around the summer solstice. Though, that was described as somewhat dangerous because the person could eventually get stuck in the underworld by doing so.

In the Balkans, elder branches were used in the ritual summoning of rain. They decorated a doll with elder branches and threw it into the water. Russian travelers carried a piece of an elder branch with them, which was supposed to protect them from dangerous beasts and evil people. Some claim that it’s good to carry elder wood with you as it will protect you from adultery.

Besides many other protective capabilities, elder trees were also credited with the ability to protect against lightning. Old beliefs reveal that lightning will never strike a person under the elder tree. This probably originated from the legend that the cross on which Christ was crucified was made of elder wood.

Elderflower tea benefits

BOOSTING THE IMMUNE SYSTEM

As elderflower tea is rich in antioxidants, including flavonoids and phenolic acids, it has the ability to strengthen your body’s defenses against unwanted free radicals. Therefore, elderflower tea is a powerful immune stimulator capable of potentially reducing the risk of various illnesses and maintaining a healthier immune system.

FIGHTING COLDS AND SOOTHING RESPIRATORY ISSUES

Drinking elderflower tea is especially recommendable during the cold season when the viruses spread. Active ingredients in the tea help to dissolve mucus during infections and relieve symptoms of colds, flu and respiratory diseases such as bronchitis or even pneumonia and asthma. They promote and increase sweating (diaphoretic) and faster recovery from fever. Elderberry has been used in folk medicine for centuries to treat influenza. The tea’s anti-inflammatory properties also help to alleviate congestion and provide relief for sore throats.

BLOOD CLEANSING

Within the elderflower’s tender embrace lies a powerful ally known as quercetin. This enchanting compound, found abundantly in elderflowers, possesses marvelous properties that have been associated with blood-cleansing effects. It promotes circulation and fortifies our blood vessels. Quercetin, with its remarkable antioxidant and anti-inflammatory nature, may safeguard our blood from the relentless assault of free radicals and oxidative stress.

REDUCING CHOLESTEROL

The quercetin in the elderflower may work by inhibiting certain enzymes involved in cholesterol synthesis. By impeding the activity of these enzymes, quercetin helps to regulate the production of cholesterol in our bodies. This regulation can potentially lead to a decrease in cholesterol levels, promoting a healthier balance within our cardiovascular system.

REDUCING BLOOD SUGAR

Flavonoids found in elderflower have been associated with potential anti-diabetic effects as well. These compounds may aid in improving insulin sensitivity, the hormone responsible for regulating blood sugar levels. By enhancing insulin function, elderflowers assist in maintaining balanced blood sugar levels. This regulation can potentially lead to a decrease in cholesterol levels, addressing type 2 diabetes and promoting a healthier balance within our cardiovascular system.

ANTIHISTAMINE POTENTIAL

Quercetin found in elderflowers, is also renowned for its antihistamine attributes. When our bodies encounter allergens, triggering an immune response, the release of histamine ensues, fostering a cascade of uncomfortable symptoms, such as itchiness, redness, and swelling. Quercetin, with its purported ability to counteract histamine release and quell inflammation, emerges as a potential knight in shining armor, offering respite for those plagued by itchy eyes and other allergic symptoms.

SOOTHING THE TOOTHACHES

The elderflower’s anti-inflammatory prowess bears the potential to assuage the throbbing pain and reduce the swelling often accompanying a toothache. In addition, anecdotal evidence suggests that elderflower exhibits mild analgesic qualities, providing ephemeral relief from discomfort. Keep the liquid in your mouth for a few minutes, and soon you should feel relief.

UPLIFTING THE MOOD AND FIGHTING DEPRESSION

As with many other healing properties of elderflowers, they may also aid in the fight against depression by acting as a natural mood enhancer. Their delicate aroma and graceful presence have the power to uplift our spirits, offering respite from the burdens that weigh us down. Moreover, elderflowers are believed to possess anti-inflammatory properties that can contribute to mental well-being. Inflammation has been linked to depression, and by reducing the inflammation in the body, elderflowers may indirectly support a more positive mental state.

Elderflower tea – tips for harvesting

Elder trees in the Northern Hemisphere usually bloom from May till the end of July.

The best time to harvest elderflowers is on a dry and sunny day when the sun is at its highest, around noon, and when the aroma and the pollen in the flowers are the richest.

It’s best to use a wooden harvesting basket when foraging for the elderflowers. Place a kitchen towel or a piece of old newspaper paper on the bottom of the basket to prevent the flowers from sipping through the openings.

Avoid collecting elderflowers after heavy rainfall, as the highly valuable pollen in the flowers will be washed away with the rain.

Choose flowers that are fully open and look healthy. Some are already browned; for those, we suggest you remove them.

You can pluck the stems with your hands or help yourself with a small knife or scissors. Avoid flowers with a lot of insects, especially the ones that seem to be infested with aphids. Aphids adore elderflower stems, but most often, you won’t even notice them before you’ve already cut or plucked the flower stems.

You will do a generous favor to nature if you avoid harvesting all the flowers from the same elder tree. It’s much better to pick just a few flowers from each one; doing so will greatly help the bees and the plant itself, on which the fruits (that are also edible) will grow later.

How to dry elderflowers for tea

STEP 1: Before drying the flowers, once again, check for insects. Do not shake the umbels; you don’t want the precious pollen to fall out of the flowers. If you find any, remove them gently by hand.

STEP 2: Lay the umbels on a clean kitchen towel or used newspaper; make sure that the flowers are evenly placed so that the air can circulate between them. Another alternative is to hang the umbels on a string.

Let me remind you that when the flowers are dry, you will need to remove the stems as they contain cyanide-inducing glycosides, which cause a toxic buildup of cyanide in your body. The smaller stems around the flowers are basically harmless, but the larger ones are better to be removed.

Depending on what you prefer, you can cut the flowers off the umbels using the scissors before drying them, or remove the stems later, when the elderflowers are already dry.

STEP 3: The ideal temperature for drying herbs is between 86 and 100 F (30 – 40 degrees Celsius). Drying at higher temperatures is not suitable as the essential oils from the herbs evaporate easier. Elderflowers for tea should be dried in an airy place in the shade.

STEP 4: Turn the flowers around every two days. The whole drying process should be finished in two weeks.

How do you know when the flowers are dry enough? Hold them in your hand and try to crush them. When the flowers rustle between your fingers and start crushing, the drying process is usually completed.

How to store dry elderflower tea

STEP 5: Once the elderflowers are dry enough, store them in jars, covered with a lid or paper bags in a dry and dark place.

STEP 6: What you want to do lastly is to label the jars (or bags) with the name of the tea. Do not forget to write the date of storage as well; this comes in handy when you need to judge whether the tea is still usable or not.

Dried elderflowers, when stored correctly, will last up to a year. Within a year, they will somewhat lose their aromatic substances, so you want to replace them next early summer with a fresh new batch of elderflower tea,

How to make elderflower tea

When your elderflower tea is dried and stored, preparing the tea is really easy.

Simply put two teaspoons of elderflower tea in a teacup (about 0,25 l) and pour over boiled water. Cover the cup and steep for about 10 minutes.

When your tea is loose, it’s somewhat easier to prepare it with a tea infuser. Once the tea is ready, just remove the infuser, and voila, your hot elderflower tea is ready.

Sweeten it with honey, add some fresh lemon juice, and indulge in the gentle, magical taste of elderflower tea.

By adding a few lemon juice drops and a few ice cubes, elderberry tea can also be transformed into a refreshing summer drink.

A small hint – elderflower tea goes gorgeously well with sweet empanada cookies or puff pastry cinnamon pinwheels.

Elderflower tea precautions

• As already mentioned, elderberry petals (as well as stems and leaves) might contain toxic ingredients; therefore, they should be removed before or after drying the flowers for the tea. However, small petals around the flowers are not harmful.
• Elderflower tea should be dried properly to avoid harmful molds building up on the flowers.
• Pregnant women should not drink more than 3 cups of elderflower tea daily; it’s best if the tea is combined with some other tea.
• In combination with certain other plants (or medicines that you are taking), elderflower tea can cause stomach upset or allergic reactions.
• If you are taking diabetes medication, excessive amounts of elderflower tea could lower your blood sugar levels too much. It’s advisable to monitor your blood sugar levels.
• Because of the same reason, avoid drinking elderflower tea two weeks before surgery.

Elderflower tea FAQs

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