When you’re sneezing and coughing, your grandma might tell you to drink some soothing tea to help your sickness. And you better listen to her because a steaming mug of hot herbal tea is what you exactly need. Health physicians also advise you to increase fluid intake during a cold and flu, and water and other drinks such as juices are crucial for your recovery, but many people prefer sipping on herbal teas.
How Herbal Tea Fights Colds and Flu
A cup of a soothing herbal liquid will help soothe your throat and reduce congestion. But how? Many herbs have medicinal properties, including antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal, and antioxidants such as vitamin C, I-theanine, beta-carotene, phenols, flavonoids etc., providing relief from pain and other symptoms.
However, there is a wide variety of herbal teas available in the market, making one wonder what kind of herbal tea I should drink? We have researched and gathered information regarding this, so you don’t feel overwhelmed and confused. Here are the best herbal teas for colds and flu:
Peppermint Tea
When it comes to treating cold, flu, and sore throat, peppermint makes one of the best herbal teas. It is a potent herb free of caffeine, helping you feel rejuvenated in no time. It has many distinctive properties such as antiviral properties, antifungal properties, anti-inflammatory properties, which help relieve pain, clear congestion, soothe throat and coughs, etc. Peppermint tea has menthol that adds a fantastic minty taste to it so that you can feel refreshed too.
Ginger Tea
Ginger has incredible anti-inflammatory properties, making it effective in treating body inflammation and inhibiting the growth of infectious microorganisms. Ginger tea not only reduces the severity of the cold but also helps treat nausea and tummy ache. To make ginger tea at home, add raw ginger, preferably grated or sliced, into boiling water and let it simmer for 10-15 minutes. Strain the ginger and enjoy the ever-comforting sweet and spicy ginger tea.
Chamomile Tea
Chamomile is another powerful inflammatory herb that gives you a little pick me up when you’re not feeling your very best. It has been the central ingredient in many herbal medicines for hundreds of years. It also contains apigenin, a flavonoid, which effectively induces sleep. So, sipping chamomile tea (ASIN: B000OQZNTS) will not only ease cold symptoms but also assist in providing a night of relaxing sleep.
Green Tea
One of the most popular herbal teas is green tea with several health benefits, including weight loss, reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases, lowering cholesterol and high blood pressure, soothing respiratory tract, and many more. So, snuggle in your bed and enjoy a hot cup of green tea (ASIN: B08D1Z4FDW) to calm your sore and itchy throat.
Hibiscus Tea
Hibiscus, also known as roselle, is abundant in oxidants, iron, and Vitamin C. It has a myriad of benefits, such as lowering blood glucose levels and blood pressure, promoting weight loss, and reducing cold and flu symptoms. Hibiscus herbal tea is made from hibiscus flower petals and is red in color with a tart flavor like cranberry juice.
Elderberry Tea
Like most berries, Elderberries are filled with antioxidants and vitamin C. They help fight body inflammation, build immunity, protect the heart, lessen stress, and ease flu and cold symptoms. Apart from their benefits, they are also delicious when made into a sweet cup of elderberry tea (ASIN: B00DLJ4JE0). You can also get elderberry extract (ASIN: B07GF3MS8P) or syrup and make yourself some herbal tea at home.
Licorice Root Tea
The Chinese have been using licorice in their traditional medicines for centuries because of its antimicrobial and antiviral properties. It is also relatively sweeter than other herbal teas, making it more enjoyable for many people. So, pour yourself a cup of licorice tea (ASIN: B00BU5Q1JS) and soothe your cold, preventing further symptoms.
Lemongrass Tea
Lemongrass is a citrus herb packed with powerful cold-fighting, antibacterial, and antifungal properties. Lemongrass makes excellent herbal tea for colds, helping you keep cold and flu symptoms such as cough and runny nose at bay. So, get yourself some lemongrass tea (ASIN: B00HXXORVA) and bid adieu to sickness. There is also caffeinated lemongrass tea available in the market.
Echinacea Tea
Echinacea is a plant native to North American tribes, and its flowers, leaves, and roots are utilized in traditional medicine. Echinacea tea works as a supplement for your body, reducing cold and flu symptoms and boosting immunity. If you want to get rid of a cold as quickly as possible, brew some echinacea tea.
Lemon Tea
Lemon is citrusy goodness filled with vitamin C, which is why it makes an effective herbal tea for flu. All you need to do is boil some water with half a lemon, and your lemon tea is ready. Or you can also squeeze a lemon into your favorite herbal tea blend. However, we all know that lemon is extremely sour and might make matters worse if you have a sensitive throat. That’s why you can add in a little bit of honey and black pepper to minimize the tanginess of lemon.
Our Final Thoughts
Having a cold or flu can become quite annoying, and everyone wants to get rid of it as soon as possible. Your best solution would be to pour yourself a hot cup of herbal tea. There are several herbs that are quite powerful when it comes to defeating cold, thanks to their plethora of benefits. Herbal tea will not only keep you hydrated but also soothe your throat and build immunity. Different kinds of herbal tea help in colds and flu, including peppermint tea, chamomile tea, green tea, ginger tea, elderberry tea, etc.
