How to make elderflower tea
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Making elderflower tea is a natural way to treat runny nose symptoms caused by colds or allergies, according to herbalists. The elderflower also acts as an anti-viral and immune stimulant and is used to lower fever and treat coughs.
You can find several species of elderflower growing in the UK and Europe, however all the elderflower species are used the same way for their herbal properties. Elderflower tea is naturally sweet. You can make it from fresh elderflower blooms or from dried flowers.
Fresh elderflower tea
- Pick fresh elderflowers during the late spring or early summer.
- Place two to four fresh elderflowers in a teapot.
Pick fresh elderflowers during the late spring or early summer.
Boil water for tea. Place two to four fresh elderflowers in a teapot. Pour the hot water over the flowers.
Cover the teapot and allow the flowers to steep for about 10 minutes. Strain the tea and serve hot.
Dried elderflower tea
- Buy dried elderflowers from an herbal supply shop, health food outlet or specialist tea shop.
- Place 10 ml (2 tsp) of dried elderflowers in a teapot for each cup of tea.
Buy dried elderflowers from an herbal supply shop, health food outlet or specialist tea shop.
Boil water for tea. Place 10 ml (2 tsp) of dried elderflowers in a teapot for each cup of tea. Pour the hot water over the dried flowers.
Cover the teapot and let the tea steep for about five minutes. Strain the tea and serve hot.
References
Tips
- Make a variation on this tea by mixing elderflowers with mint or lemon balm.
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Fleur Forsythe writes about the arts, crafts, cooking, entertaining, travel and DIY home design. She began writing professionally in 1996. She is also an artist whose art, crafts and photography have been licensed commercially and exhibited for 17 years. She holds a B.A. in art history and studio art from New York University. Her articles can be found on eHow, Answerbag and Trails.