Cold and flu season is stressful, to say the least, not only on our minds but our bodies as well. There are never-ending to-do lists this time of year, upcoming holidays to prepare for, and an onslaught of germs being passed back and forth till the sun comes out again.

Despite the constant battering of flu-shot infomercials, germs flying everywhere, and friends, family, and even people I don’t even know trying to cram meds down my throat, I try my best to protect and clutch onto what health I’ve got when a cold comes rolling in.

It’s funny how so many people think that taking a handful of pills will kick colds, but the truth of the matter is, suppressing your symptoms is not the answer! And anyway, our bodies are pretty smart. And herbs, ah HERBS! They’re kind of like superheroes.  So mix those two together, and you’ve got good things happening.

You might be wondering how this is possible, but believe me, it is! A single herb can contain 100 different chemicals that pack a powerful punch against viruses. Better than the singular chemicals extracted to make cold medicines, wouldn’t ya say?

What are the benefits of elderberry?

So to get to the point, what I want to say is Elderberry is one of those heroes. It contains all sorts of chemical constituents that fight against no less than 10 strains of flu. It also cuts the duration of a cold by half, even more depending on how good you are about taking it. Elderberry is definitely in my top 10 most useful herbs list.

What’s fun about Elderberry is it can be customized endlessly. If you live in a cold, damp place add some ginger to the elderberry tea to warm you up and loosen phlegm or maybe even a pinch of cinnamon. Live where it’s dry? Try adding mullein, slippery elm, or marshmallow (though it might get kinda slippery…blech!).

How to Make Elderberry Tea

This elderberry tea is simple to make and tastes great for a cold and flu remedy. Even children like it.

Here’s What You’ll Need:

• 1TB dried elderberries
• 3 thin slices of ginger
• A small dash of cinnamon
• 1 crushed cardamom pod
• Raw honey to taste

Loving Preparation – Elderberry Tea Recipe

• Throw the ginger slices into your mug with a dash of cinnamon and a small spoonful of raw honey
• Crush the cardamom pod and add it to an infusion ball with the elderberries
• Place the ball into the mug and pour boiling spring water over everything
• Place a small plate over the mug while infusing to trap in the ginger’s volatile oils
• Steep for 10 minutes, covered. This will keep all the volatile oils from the herbs in the tea
• Drink comfortably hot 2-3 times a day at the first sign of a cold (or anytime you like!) until all signs of sickness are gone

You can learn more about elderberry HERE.

You may also enjoy reading:

DIY Elderberry Syrup for Cold and Flu – Potent, Quick, & Easy!
The Best Natural Remedies for Sore Throat
The Best Remedies You can Buy for Cold and Flu
My Top 5 Preventative Cold and Flu Remedies
Broad-Spectrum Essential Oil Blend for Cold and Flu
Essential Oils for The Flu

This post contains affiliate links. Read my full disclosure and disclaimer.