A Cup Of Elderberry Tea

How Elderberry Tea Combats Respiratory Infection

As the weather begins to get colder, many people will inevitably become infected with some kind of respiratory virus, typically a cold or flu. When dealing with the uncomfortable symptoms of a respiratory virus, one of the most soothing remedies is a warm cup of tea. Elderberries have been used for centuries to create elderberry tea, which herbalists have often recommended as a potent and delicious remedy for respiratory illness. Today, modern research shows that there is more to elderberry tea’s effectiveness than simply its soothing warmth. For many people, elderberry tea can help to calm the symptoms of a cold or flu, and may even help them to recover more quickly.

Catching a Cold or Flu

Every year, the average adult catches 2-3 colds, and the average child may suffer from as many as 8-12. Influenza, the second most common respiratory virus, strikes somewhere between 5%-10% of all adults worldwide every year, and 20-30% of all children. For most people, respiratory infections by viruses such as these are uncomfortable, but not serious; in young children and the elderly, however, these symptoms can be severe and possibly deadly.

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Common symptoms of a respiratory infection caused by one of these viruses include:

  • Coughing
  • Sneezing
  • Runny or Stuffy Nose
  • Congestion
  • Sore Throat
  • Fever
  • Fatigue
  • Headache

Thus far, no cure has been found for either of these viruses. The most that can be done is alleviating the symptoms caused by such infection, a treatment which may vary from person to person depending on the severity of their symptoms.

How Elderberry Tea May Help

shutterstock_161979761While elderberry tea cannot cure a cold or flu, it can lend its natural abilities to help reduce some of its symptoms. Elderberry is full of several important vitamins and minerals, including vitamin C and iron, which help to support immune activity. It is also a natural source of antioxidants, which helps to protect the health of the immune system and reduce the risk of further infection. Most importantly, elderberry appears to have natural antiviral properties that can help the immune system to eliminate viruses, and may shorten the duration of a cold or flu infection. Although its effects are not yet fully understood, the few studies that have been performed do show a lot of promise for this tasty herbal brew.