Herbal Teas for Cold Relief at Home
Hello everyone! I'm writing in response to a request from a community member who is asking about "teas for colds". I often get questions about how to make cold remedies at home. There are many options for both the prevention of colds + flu, as well as the treatment of a cold's symptoms and the overall ability to shorten the length of time when we're feeling "under the weather". This last couple of years, with Covid19 raging about, and folks needing increased immune system function, these ideas can be helpful.
I try to be 'ready' each fall with blends prepared and labeled in my apothecary. I typically make blends for clients and when it comes to my own 'jars', I'm always glad there are a few ready, just in case! Ideally, teas for colds taste delicious and can be a part of our day, in a preventative way too.
Herbal Teas for Cold Relief include:
Immune Boosters + Anti-Viral herbs
1. Ginger root tea:
It can all start with a simple ginger tea ~~good quality ginger root, grated or sliced into a cup. It's the basis for many of my winter brews! Delicious, powerful, tasty. I write a lot about the benefits of Ginger. Here's a post about Ginger tea and why it's a great idea.
2. Sage Tea
This is my 'go to' for the moment when symptoms arrive. Sage leaves are renowned for many attributes, but for sure, if there's one herb, especially if you are prone to a sore throat.. Get some sage. If you didn't grow any, that's fine. Pop into your local market or grocery store and purchase a couple of those small bundles of fresh herbs. It can be used fresh or dried. Learn about using sage to soothe sore throats or as a preventative.
3. Cold n' Flu Tea Soother
Here's an easy concoction...Although - easier when prepared before we...and ½ the family are 'stricken'!
Just make sure you have the ingredients on hand and it comes together quickly!
Herbal Teas for Cold Relief !
Include this easy concoction in your repertoire! Make this up ahead of time..
COLD n' FLU tea Soother!
Ingredients
- ½ teaspoon dried ginger OR 1 inch or so of root grated (spicy, warming, immune balancing)
- ½ teaspoon chopped sage antihistamine)
- ½ teaspoon chopped thyme antibiotic antiviral)
- Juice of half a lemon sour, good source vitamin c
- ½ teaspoon raw honey - or to your taste
Instructions
-
Add-Ons to Follow:
Delicious support for you this winter! This version has both a pinch of Cayenne powder + Calendula flowers.
Additional options: a dash of cayenne pepper (hot, immune boosting)
½ teaspoon Calendula flowers (anti-viral, anti-microbial)
This is a guideline more than a recipe, and can be changed up or altered to suit your tastes.
Other ideas for 'add ons' include:
Orange peel or other citrus peel
Hibiscus flowers
Rose hips
Turmeric (grated fresh or a teaspoon of dried)
Cinnamon powder
Nutmeg, fresh grated if possible
The idea really?
Combine warming, anti-viral, immune boosting herbs together in a warm beverage and sip often throughout the day.
Make a batch every morning and enjoy! Change it up and add different herbs.
Do you want more ideas for Teas for Colds + Flu?
Here is a list of herbs and some more ideas in my post "Teas for Winter Health"
Perhaps you are interested in the ideas of drinking herbal tea for prevention of colds + flu, but you would prefer a pre-made solution. Check out your local herbalist or health food store and you'll find a huge number of choices! I have a personal favourite for moments when I can't take my jars with me. When traveling for example, I will often take a zip-lock baggie filled with high quality herb teas in bags.
Here's a super one to know about -- from our friends at Traditional Medicinals:
It's called a 'winter sampler' and it's fantastic!
Also.. here's a 'tea for colds' resource page for you!
Here's a pin for your collection of ideas ~~
Stop by the StudioBotanica Pin board. Lots of recipes!
What is YOUR favourite tea for winter health?? Please share below.
Here's to a super healthy winter for us all! xo Carol
Yenika
One of my favorite teas when someone has "geyser face" is a fresh ginger decoction. I take a finger's worth of fresh clean ginger, grate into a quart size pot filled with water. I add several pinches of cinnamon, a few cloves and allspice (crushed). Then I add fresh aromatic herbs like basil, oregano and rosemary (sprig) depending on needs, mood and availability. Last but most important is a piece of citrus (lemon or lime) that I squeeze and then put the rind in the pot for anti-inflammatory effect. Bring just to a simmer, then lower heat for at least half an hour till water reduces. I add a good honey near the end to make palatable. If you drink a quantity during the day, your runny face will go away. My husband and older children always ask me for ginger tea when sick.
Carol Little
Yenika, Sounds delicious and it's packed with healing power. Thanks for sharing!