Drink these 6 herbal teas to relieve cold symptoms
04/30/2021 / By Joanne Washburn / Comments
Drink these 6 herbal teas to relieve cold symptoms

There are few things as comforting as drinking a hot cup of tea when you’re feeling under the weather. The heat from the beverage can unclog a stuffy nose, soothe a sore throat and relieve a bad headache.

Moreover, drinking tea is a great way to stay hydrated and replenish lost fluids. Cold symptoms like runny nose and sweating can make you more susceptible to dehydration, which can weaken your immune system.

Certain herbal teas can also help your body recover quickly by boosting your immunity. Some teas are also loaded with antioxidants, which can improve your immune response as well.

Here are six herbal teas that provide relief from cold symptoms:

1. Peppermint tea

Peppermint leaves contain menthol, which can have a slight anesthetic effect on your throat. Put simply, it may help suppress a dry and persistent cough. This is why peppermint appears in many cough drops.

Studies have also shown that peppermint exhibits antimicrobial and antiviral properties. In addition, peppermint can treat headaches and muscle pain as well. It also promotes better sleep.

To make fresh peppermint tea, boil one or two cups of water. Remove from heat, then add fresh peppermint leaves. Steep for about 5–10 minutes.

2. Chamomile tea

Natural healers have used dried chamomile flowers for centuries to induce relaxation and promote better sleep. Lack of sleep can affect your immune system and influence how fast you recover from an illness. So, you should try to get a good night’s sleep when you’re sick.

To make chamomile tea, boil a cup of water. Remove from heat and add two to three teaspoons of dried flowers (add more flowers for each additional cup of water). Steep for 5–10 minutes. If using teabags, steep at least two for better results. You can drink up to three cups of chamomile tea a day on an empty stomach.

3. Ginger tea

Ginger is a popular kitchen ingredient. It’s often thrown into sauces and marinades to brighten up a dish. But it also works as a natural medicine for sore throat. In traditional medicine, healers used ginger to treat a wide range of ailments, from headaches to high blood pressure.

Ginger owes most of its beneficial effects to gingerol, a potent compound capable of reducing inflammation linked to the common cold or the flu.

To make ginger tea, boil one teaspoon of ginger slices in a pint of water for five minutes. Strain before drinking. You can also steep one part ginger, one part cinnamon and two parts lemongrass in a pint of water for 10 minutes and drink up.

4. Echinacea tea

Echinacea is a flowering plant native to North America. Native Americans brewed the plant’s purple flowers for treating colds. Echinacea is still popular today as a safe and effective alternative remedy for colds. It is also said to lessen your chances of catching a cold by up to 58 percent by boosting your immunity.

Natural healers say small but frequent doses of echinacea are best taken at the onset of a cold. To make echinacea tea, simmer echinacea roots for 20 minutes. Remove from heat then add echinacea leaves or flowers. Steep for 15–20 minutes.

5. Elderberry tea

Elderberries are chock-full of potent antioxidants, which help reduce inflammation and boost immunity. Many recent studies have shown that elderberries can reduce the duration and symptoms of the common cold.

In traditional medicine, healers brewed purple elderberry blossoms to treat fever and sore throat. To brew your own cup of elderberry tea, boil elderberry blossoms and fresh peppermint leaves for 15 minutes. Strain and drink. You can also soak elderberry blossoms in cold water overnight. Strain and drink in the morning.

6. Green tea

Arguably the healthiest drink around, green tea boasts many benefits. It contains antioxidants that help combat inflammation linked to the common cold. Green tea also has antiviral properties. Plus, research indicates that catechin and theanine in green tea can lower the risk of developing respiratory conditions.

To make green tea, steep half a teaspoon of tea leaves for 10 minutes in a cup of hot water. Sip slowly until your symptoms improve. You may need to drink several cups throughout the day for better results.

Herbal teas can relieve cold symptoms fast. So fix yourself a cup of tea the next time you feel under the weather for immediate relief.

Sources:

OrganicFacts.net

TraditionalMedicinals.com

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