Top 5 Homemade Herbal Teas for Cold and Flu Season
Tea is known for its remedial capacity for various diseases starting from fever to cancer. It is the most widely consumed home remedy used for relief from the cold and flu. Herbal tea helps fight cold and flu in two ways
- Reducing inflammation
- Strengthening the immune system.
1 Reducing inflammation: The main cause of a sore throat during cold is inflammation. Tea is rich in a substance called flavonoids which is an antioxidant that helps reduce inflammation. Adding other substances to tea can increases its capacity even more to offer relief from sore throat.
2 Strengthening the immune system: Reducing inflammation is only getting rid of the symptom of flu. But it is the immune system that will actually fight the cause of the disease. To have a strong immune system the body needs certain nutrients. The most crucial among them are zinc, iron, copper, selenium, folate, vitamins A.C, E and B-6. Tea is rich in folate.
Homemade herbal teas offer you the benefit of both tea and the added herbs to fight both symptom and cause of cold.
Here are top 5 homemade herbal teas to fight cold.
1. Ginger tea:
Ginger can be added to both milk tea and black tea. Ginger contains a very potent anti-inflammatory substance called gingerons and it has properties such as anti- inflammatory, anti – oxidant, anti-septic, anti-viral, circulation stimulating, detoxifying and warming. It also effectively loosens mucus within bronchial tubes. Beta carotene contained in ginger can be converted to vitamin which in turn helps build the immune system. Chromogenic acid contained in it not only limits pain but also protects cells from damage and cures viral and bacterial inflammation.
2. Black tea with a pinch of salt and squeeze of lemon:
We all know that gargling with salt water helps a lot during cold. But if one does not like gargling much then a pinch of salt may be added to a cup of black tea. Add a squeeze of fresh lemon to enrich it with vitamin C. Studies has shown that lemon juice has some antimicrobial properties also.
3. Green tea with cinnamon:
A cup of plain green tea with cinnamon may help in case of throat pain as cinnamon is very effective in easing out aching muscles and viral conditions. Adding honey to it will help soothe the soreness of the throat.
4. Mint tea:
Mint belongs to Lamiaceae family and is a very good anti-oxidant. Dropping one or two mint leaves in tea is a great remedy for common flu.
5. Cayenne powder, Garlic, Holy basil, Honey and Green tea:
This is a recipe of an herbal extract that contains the goodness of Cayenne, Garlic, Holy basil, Honey and Green tea. Allicin, one of the active components in freshly crushed garlic, can block the enzymes that lead to infection. In addition to that it contains the much needed Vitamin B6, C and selenium to help build immunity. Holy basil (scientific name Ocimum tenuiflorum) is a very good natural expectorant. The benefits of green tea and garlic has already been discussed. All these ingredients and attacks flu from every angle. To make this special tea boil water and add pinch of cayenne powder, 2 cloves of crushed garlic, three leaves of holy basil, and green tea. Bring it to a boil and add some honey.
These natural and homemade herbal remedies have helped many to keep the doctor away at a distance.
Author Bio:
Bella Williams is a Passionate blogger. She works on behalf of Ehic. She has been writing contents on the web professionally since 2006. As an avid reader and blogger she shares her experience through articles on Health, Education, Parenting and many more.
