Description
A soothing and immune-boosting tea with elderberries, echinacea, and beneficial herbs and spices. Perfect for cold and flu season!
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 cups filtered water
- 2 tablespoons dried elderberries
- 2 tablespoons dried echinacea root (or 4 echinacea tea bags)
- 1 tablespoon dried rosehips (optional, for added Vitamin C and flavor)
- 1 teaspoon dried ginger root (or ½ teaspoon ground ginger)
- ½ teaspoon dried cinnamon chips (or ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon)
- 1–2 tablespoons raw honey (or maple syrup, to taste)
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
- Optional additions: A few slices of fresh orange, a sprig of fresh mint, a pinch of cayenne pepper (for a spicy kick)
Instructions
- Boil the Water: In a medium-sized saucepan, bring the 4 cups of filtered water to a rolling boil over high heat.
- Add the Herbs and Spices: Once the water is boiling, carefully add the dried elderberries, echinacea root (or tea bags), rosehips (if using), ginger, and cinnamon to the saucepan.
- Simmer the Tea: Reduce the heat to low, cover the saucepan with a lid, and let the tea simmer gently for at least 20-30 minutes.
- Strain the Tea: After simmering, remove the saucepan from the heat. Carefully strain the tea through a fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth-lined colander into a heat-resistant pitcher or large measuring cup. If you used tea bags, simply remove them at this point, squeezing gently to extract any remaining liquid.
- Add Honey and Lemon Juice: While the tea is still warm, stir in the raw honey (or maple syrup) and lemon juice. Adjust the amount of honey to your liking.
- Taste and Adjust: Give the tea a taste and adjust the sweetness or tartness as needed.
- Serve Warm: Pour the warm echinacea elderberry tea into mugs and enjoy immediately.
- Optional Garnishes: Garnish each mug with a slice of fresh orange, a sprig of fresh mint, or a cinnamon stick.
- Cooling and Storing: If you have any leftover tea, allow it to cool completely before storing it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days.
- Reheating: Reheat gently in a saucepan over low heat or in the microwave.
- Enjoying Cold: Echinacea elderberry tea can also be enjoyed cold. Simply pour the cooled tea over ice and add a slice of lemon or orange for a refreshing and healthy beverage.
Notes
- Adjust the sweetness to your preference.
- Experiment with other herbs and spices like chamomile, peppermint, or licorice root.
- If using fresh ingredients, adjust quantities accordingly (fresh herbs are more potent).
- For a stronger immune boost, add a pinch of cayenne pepper.
- Consult a pediatrician before giving this tea to children.
- Use high-quality, organic ingredients for the best flavor and benefits.
- Listen to your body and discontinue use if you experience any adverse effects.
- Simmering process is crucial for extracting the beneficial compounds from the herbs and spices. The longer you simmer, the stronger and more potent the tea will become.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes