Winter is the coldest time of the year, and it comes with a lot of festivities. However, together with these festivities is a secret plan of cold and flu. Not only do viruses spread more during winter, almost everyone becomes susceptible to flu and cold.
There is a reason your mum makes you drink a lot of tea when you catch a cold or flu as a kid. There are also reasons why taking more fluid is the first recommendation when you are sick with a cold or flu. While water and other warm beverages are valuable for recovering from flu or cold, some teas are more potent.
A cup of hot tea is one of the trusted ways to break up congestions and soothe sore throats. A lot of evidence supports the use of herbal ingredients in the treatment of a cold. Now, what do you think about having herbal ingredients in tea?
Taking herbal tea is one of the valuable ways to break free from cold and flu. Aside from the fact that these teas will help you boost your immune system, they also help to soothe the throat and break up nasal congestions.
It does not stop there. Some of these herbal teas also contain antibiotics, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties beneficial for the body. Also, some of these potent teas have elements that will help to ease respiratory infection. There are several types of tea for colds. But as stated earlier, some of these teas are more potent than others. This article will explore some of the best teas for cold and how they help with cold and flu.
Elderberry Tea
Elderberry is one of the berries that are native to Europe. It is a common belief that the extract from this dark purple berry works in combating the common cold. Black elder, one of the common forms of elderberries, has antiviral and antimicrobial properties.
Evidence suggests that elderberry tea helps to reduce the duration of common cold and flu. It also helps to relieve the symptoms of cold and flu during this period. Another impressive benefit of elderberries is the treatment of herpes. Herpes is a condition that is usually triggered by the common cold.
Lemon Tea
Lemon is a common plant that is reputable for its immense health benefits. We cannot overlook its usefulness in the mitigation of conditions like cold and flu. In fact, it is one of the oldest home remedies for cold and flu.
Lemon is a citrus fruit, which means it contains a significant amount of vitamin C. Vitamin C is one of the essential nutrients of the body when it comes to fighting cold and infections.
Green Tea
Green tea is one of the most popular types of tea in most locations around the world. It is mainly known for its high antioxidant composition. Antioxidants actively protect the body against infections and other intruding particles. Likewise, the constituents of green tea promote a healthy metabolism and offer support to the immune system.
All these health benefits back up the claim that green tea is useful in combating flu and cold. It also provides the body with enough energy while fighting the flu and cold. Green tea has anti-inflammatory properties that help to soothe irritation and inflammation that might result from a sore throat.
Black Tea
Black tea is another famous tea for fighting the flu and cold. Aside from providing the body with enough energy during flu or cold, it also reduces body aches. This potent flu-fighting tea mitigates the possible inflammation that might result from a cold.
Similarly, black tea reduces the duration of cold or flu and significantly reduces influenza rate. The catechins constituents of the tea help eliminate pathogenic bacteria that might damage the body. Overall, you can trust a hot cup of black tea to help you soothe your sore throat.
Ginger Tea
Ginger is another popular home remedy for various health conditions. It is reputable for its immense health benefits and delicious spicy flavor. You can use ginger alone or together with honey and lemon in the treatment of a cold. You can make a potent ginger tea by boiling fresh ginger plant with lemon and honey.
Ginger tea will help you to get rid of nausea and vomiting that might result from a cold. It has an impressive amount of antioxidants that actively protect the body against the flu or cold. Likewise, it protects the body from various cold viruses.
Echinacea Tea
Echinacea tea is one of the best teas for colds. The potent Echinacea tea is the derivative of an herb known as purple coneflower. Although it is relatively less popular than most other full-bodied teas for cold and flu, it does not undermine its effect.
Echinacea tea stimulates immune activity and supports the body’s immune system. Likewise, it reduces the duration of flu and cold and mitigates the severity of its effect. This potent cold-fighting tea can also serve as a remedy for cough and active treatment of respiratory infections.
Peppermint Tea
Peppermint gives an effect that is similar to ginger tea. It is one of the active ingredients in cough drops. Aside from the beneficial effects of drinking peppermint tea, the tea’s fresh and refreshing aroma can help you improve your breathing by opening up congested airways.
Peppermint tea also reduces inflammation while helping to soothe a sore throat. Similarly, this potent tea also helps to relieve pain and aches caused by cold. Drinking this tea can help loosen up congestion to ease breathing, shorten the flu’s length, halt the spread of inflection, and prevent pathogenic organisms from thriving in the body.
Hibiscus Tea
Hibiscus is not a strange name when it comes to potent plants that offer various health benefits. It is beneficial for the treatment of cold or flu because of its high Vitamin C content. Vitamin C is one of the active compounds that help the body combat the harmful effects of cold.
In fact, three cups of hibiscus tea can give you an adequate supply of the Vitamin C required by the body. It does not contain caffeine, so you don’t have to worry about disturbing your sleep pattern. Instead, it helps you to get enough sleep and rest during the recovery process.
Licorice Root Tea
Licorice root tea is an exception to the infamous saying that all healthy teas are bitter. The most significant effect of licorice root tea is that it boosts the body’s antiviral and antimicrobial power and fight off flu and cold.
Besides, it contains a significant amount of flavonoids that boost the body’s immune system. This potent herbal tea also has properties that prevent harmful pathogens and microorganisms from thriving.
Chamomile Tea
Chamomile is another potent tea when it comes to fighting against flu and cold. It works in a dual direction. You can either use chamomile as a hot tea infusion or inhale the hot steam from various chamomile extracts. Both help to break up congestion and improve breathing.
Similarly, chamomile has antibacterial properties; hence, it is useful in treating various infections associated with the common cold. This plant contains flavonoids that offer tranquilizing effects. Another reason why chamomile is an excellent tea choice for cold is that it helps you get a good night’s sleep.
Frequently Asked Questions About Teas for Colds
Cold is a common condition that often affects people, particularly during winter. This article might instigate some questions in your mind considering the familiarity of people with this condition. Below are some of the frequently asked questions about the best tea for cold.
What clears up cold fast?
There are several ways to clear up cold fast, and certain teas are useful. It would be best to stay hydrated, rest, get enough sleep, add moisture to your air, clear congestions, and stay warm.
What gets rid of cold sores overnight?
Unfortunately, there is no healthy way of getting rid of cold sores overnight. Nevertheless, you can consult your doctor for medications that can help you speed up the healing process of cold sores. Ordinarily, cold sores take about one or two weeks to heal without treatment.
What are the worst days of a cold?
The worst days of cold are the first three days after infection, and all the symptoms of this condition will be at its peak during this period. Common symptoms in the early three days include runny nose, fever, sneezing, stuffy nose, headaches, and sore throat.
A Final Word from Wellness Nova
Cold or flu is one of the most common derogatory health conditions. At one point or the other, we have all suffered from this condition. However, cold or flu will not get fatal when you know the right steps to take. You might not have to visit the hospital during the early stages of the infection. There are several home remedies for this condition, including the use of some healthy and herbal teas.
The list of teas above is some of the best natural remedies for cold. They are potent remedies backed up by various pieces of evidence. Every tea on this list is worth trying as the first aid to cold.