Aren't colds the worst of all? Unfortunately, the common cold cannot be cured. There are, however, techniques to lessen the agony.
Green tea, black tea, mushroom tea, chamomile, licorice, blueberry, peppermint, lemongrass, elderberry, echinacea tea, lemon tea, and ginger are teas that help with colds. Apart from keeping you hydrated, these herbal and medicinal teas will also give you a dose of nutritional compounds to keep your immune system strong.
Let's explore the 12 best teas for cold that can ease your agony when you are under the weather. But first, let’s look at the benefits of these teas.
Benefits Of Tea For Cold
Remember when your grandmother (or mother) suggested you keep a pot of tea nearby when you're fighting a cold? Or even your doctor, who would advise you to increase your fluid intake. There must be a good reason!
There are several reasons why drinking tea is good for a cold. First, the heated drink can loosen up congestion and soothe your throat. Another critical factor is the leaf's chemical composition. Tea catechins are organic anti-oxidants that help to shield cells from oxidative harm in the body. Finally, regular tea consumption may lessen the severity of cold symptoms if you get sick.
Keeping you hydrated may be one of tea's most significant healing benefits. And while you would believe that all teas are equal when fighting the flu or a cold, this is not the case. Some teas have ingredients that strengthen the immune system and kill harmful microorganisms.
Top 12 Natural Teas For Colds And Flu
Antibiotics are not an option because viruses are generally behind most cases of colds. You can sit back and let the cold run its course. Or you can sip a cup of warm tea for cold symptoms.
Aside from providing much-needed hydration, herbal and medicinal teas have intense anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, and antiviral properties. Here are the 12 best teas for a cold that will calm your cough and ease your sore throat.
1. Pour A Mug Of Green Tea
Green tea(1) has numerous health benefits that might help your body fight against infections. It will lessen your congestion and coughing because of its high anti-oxidant content and antiviral properties.
Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) is a powerful anti-oxidant found in green tea. When external elements or an invading pathogen is attacking your body, this anti-oxidant activity supports it. According to research, green tea helps the immune system and promotes a healthy metabolism.
This makes drinking green tea throughout the cold and flu season a wise decision.
2. Black Tea, Please!
Next on our list of the best hot tea for a cold is the ever-so-familiar black tea. Unfortunately, people often overlook traditional black tea's anti-oxidant and polyphenol content.
Additionally, black tea contains the amino acid l-theanine and has a decent level of caffeine, which can help you feel slightly awake but calm as you work to heal. Finally, add a dash of honey to coat the throat and benefit from its soothing, medicinal properties.
3. The Magic Of Mushroom Tea
Mushroom tea may not pop into your mind when you think of the best tea to drink for a cold. But surprisingly, they are one of the most effective options while you sniffle away!
During the flu season, the medicinal mushroom extracts should be a regular fixture in every cabinet since it produces one of the most incredible teas for a cold. In addition, some of the finest sources of anti-oxidants found in plants are found in mushrooms, including Reishi, Chaga, and Lion's mane.
Additionally, they contain unique compounds called beta-glucans(2) that may support the regulation of your immune system and disease prevention.
4. Calm Down With Chamomile
Since the plant's flavonoids provide a calming effect, dried chamomile flowers have been used for millennia to aid with sleep. Chamomile is an excellent option because obtaining a good night's sleep is crucial to your cold recovery goal.
There is evidence that it has anti-inflammatory properties(3), offering extra benefits while you sip away. However, remember that drinking chamomile tea while pregnant is not advised.
5. Pass Me Some Peppermint Tea
Peppermint tea is another best tea for cold and cough. Your throat may experience a little anesthetic effect from the menthol in peppermint leaves, which will stifle your cough (which is why peppermint appears in many cough drops). In addition, according to USDA(4) researchers, peppermint exhibits strong antibacterial and antiviral properties when tested in a lab.
Just a few sips of mint tea will act as a pain reliever, to put it simply. A sore throat, headache, and other cold symptoms can all be relieved with painkilling peppermint tea.
So, is there anything better than inhaling minty scents and menthol when you're congested?
6. Anti-inflammatory Lemongrass Tea
Lemongrass, often known as "fever grass" in the West Indies, is used in cooking and medicine. Infusions from the fever grass shrub treat swelling, discomfort, and fever.
The plant also has antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral effects. Additionally, it offers several anti-oxidants that combat disease, including swertiajaponin and chlorogenic acid.
Finally, it has been claimed that the elements that give lemongrass(5) its distinctive flavor have anti-inflammatory qualities. This may help you feel less achy.
7. Elderberry Tea For Recovery
Next on our list of the best tea for cold and flu is elderberry, the deep purple berry native to Europe. Elderberry extract is said by many to hasten your recovery from illnesses like the flu and the common cold. Some research supports this use of elderberry.
Black elder, the most popular variety of elderberry, has been discovered to possess antiviral(6) and antibacterial activities.
Elderberry can shorten the length of the flu, according to numerous studies. Researchers even claim drinking elderberry tea may strengthen your immune system and lessen the symptoms of a cold or the flu.
8. Echinacea Tea For Immune Boost
Echinacea is a traditional remedy derived from a purple flower in North America. According to studies(7), taking echinacea supplements can shorten the duration of your cold by more than a day and lower your risk of getting one by up to 58%.
Additional research claims that echinacea boosts immune function to lessen the duration of viruses and bacterial illnesses. In addition, Echinacea is rich in anti-oxidants, much like green tea.
Echinacea tea may shorten the duration of upper respiratory illnesses and the flu. So, brewing it into tea could be a delightful way to enjoy its protective benefits.
9. Soak Yourself In A Cup Of Lemon Tea
People have used the home medicine of drinking lemon tea for many years. Lemons are citrus fruits; thus, they have vitamin C in them. Vitamin C is a crucial component of your body when you have a cold or virus.
If you'd like, you can squeeze it into your preferred herbal brew, but you can also make your own "tea" by simply squeezing half a lemon into boiling water. Of course, lemon water is sour, so you should add some of your favorite honey for flavor's sake.
10. Ginger Tea: A Cold Fighter Tea
The bioactive components in ginger tea work as an anti-inflammatory and may also inhibit bacteria that can cause infection. Ginger(8)can also reduce respiratory illness symptoms and adds a sweet spiciness to many different types of tea.
Singers often drink it to relieve sore throats. Additionally, ginger reduces nausea if an unsettled stomach accompanies your cold.
Ginger has a wide range of health benefits beyond only treating colds; these include the potential to treat dementia, cancer, and cardiovascular disease.
11. A Sweet Cup Of Licorice Root Tea
Licorice root(9) tea might be to your taste if you like something a little sweeter. In Chinese medicine, licorice root, also known as Glycyrrhiza glabra, is a common herbal cure. In addition, Licorice root is often used to treat digestive problems like heartburn. Still, studies have revealed that it possesses antibacterial and antiviral properties that may help you get over a severe cold.
12. Anti-oxidant Rich Blueberry Tea
Although blueberries(10) are more commonly associated with a sweet summertime treat, they also taste great in tea and have several health advantages. Anti-oxidants and vitamin C-rich blueberries can soothe the body and help to reduce inflammation. These tiny fruits have been proven to offer numerous health advantages, creating a delicious, fruity cup of tea to enjoy when you're starting to catch a cold.
FAQs
What Tea Breaks Up Congestion?
If you are fighting a congested nose, drink teas for cold, such as green and peppermint tea. These teas may help ease closed sinuses, making it easier for you to breathe.
What Herbs Help With Stuffy Nose?
To relieve a stuffy nose, try drinking some ginger tea. Breathe in the steam from your tea as you take a drink. It can also be used with other herbs, such as the potent natural healer turmeric.
What Tea Is Good For Throat And Mucus?
Tea with peppermint helps to calm the throat and stop coughing. Additionally, they unclog your sinuses and ease breathing difficulties.
Final Thoughts
The best teas for colds reduce congestion, fight infection and provide hydration. So grab yourself a cuppa before the next flu season! Drinking the right tea will help you come out of it stronger and faster.
References
- Beneficial effects of green tea: A literature review, (1)https://cmjournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1749-8546-5-13
- Effects of beta-glucans on the immune system, (2)https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17895634/
- Chamomile: A herbal medicine of the past with bright future, (3)https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2995283/
- Reading Herbal Tea Leaves: Benefits and Lore, (4)https://agresearchmag.ars.usda.gov/2011/mar/tea
- Lemongrass: Purported Benefits, Side Effects & More, (5)https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/integrative-medicine/herbs/lemongrass
- A Review of the Antiviral Properties of Black Elder (Sambucus nigra L.) Products, (6)https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28198157/
- Evaluation of echinacea for the prevention and treatment of the common cold: a meta-analysis, (7)https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17597571/
- Chapter 7, The Amazing and Mighty Ginger, (8)https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK92775/
- The antiviral and antimicrobial activities of licorice, a widely-used Chinese herb, (9)https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4629407/
- Effect of New Zealand blueberry consumption on recovery from eccentric exercise-induced muscle damage, (10)https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3583121/
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