Some home remedies or infusions, such as echinacea tea with honey, lemon tea with garlic and ginger, or green tea, can help improve cold symptoms, such as sore throat, cough, and nasal congestion.
These home remedies are rich in antioxidant and immune-stimulating substances that strengthen the body’s natural defenses, helping to fight the cold.
In addition, drinking tea also contributes to body hydration, which is important to fight the virus, and helps to soothe the throat and thin secretions, facilitating the elimination of mucus.
8 herbal teas for coughs
Some tea recipes for colds are:
1. Echinacea infusion with honey
Echinacea tea with honey is rich in antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immune-boosting substances, such as flavonoids and chicoric and rosmarinic acids, which help reduce the production of compounds that can cause sore throats or body aches. It also strengthens the immune system.
Honey also helps lubricate the throat and reduce inflammation, relieving coughs and mucus. However, people allergic to honey, propolis, or pollen should not add honey to their tea; instead, they can prepare it with echinacea alone.
Ingredients:
- 1 teaspoon of echinacea root or leaves.
- 1 tablespoon of honey.
- 1 cup of boiling water.
Preparation method:
To use echinacea leaves, add them to a cup of boiling water and let them steep for 5 to 10 minutes. For echinacea root, boil it in water for 10 to 15 minutes. Then strain, add honey, and drink twice a day.
2. Lemon, garlic, and ginger tea
Lemon, garlic, and ginger infusion has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties due to allicin, present in garlic; phenolic compounds, such as gingerol, chogaol, and zingerone, from ginger; and vitamin C from lemon, which help relieve cold symptoms, such as sore throat and general malaise.
In addition, this tea helps to strengthen the immune system and reduce the duration of a cold.
Ingredients:
- 3 cloves of garlic, peeled and cut in half.
- 1/2 cup of lemon juice.
- 1 cm of ginger root or ½ teaspoon of ginger powder.
- 3 cups of water.
- Honey for sweetening (optional).
Preparation method:
Boil the water with the garlic. Remove from heat and add the lemon juice, ginger, and honey. Strain and serve immediately.
Ginger should not be consumed by people taking anticoagulants, so it should be removed from the infusion in these cases.
3. White willow infusion
The white willow, scientifically known as Salix alba, has potent analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties due to the presence of salicin, a substance similar to the main ingredient in aspirin.
Therefore, an infusion of the bark of this plant can be a good option to relieve cold symptoms, such as sore throat, muscle pain, and general malaise.
Ingredients:
- 2 teaspoons of white willow bark.
- 2 cups of water.
Preparation method:
Boil the water and add the willow bark. Let it boil for 10 minutes, strain, and drink up to 2 cups a day.
This tea should not be consumed by children, pregnant or breastfeeding women, people allergic to aspirin, or those taking blood thinners. Furthermore, its use is not recommended for people with gastrointestinal problems such as ulcers, gastritis, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), colitis, or diverticulitis.
4. Green tea
Some studies show that green tea, scientifically known as Camellia sinensis, contains phenolic compounds, such as epigallocatechin, which have antioxidant properties. These compounds help reduce oxidative stress caused by free radicals in cells, thus improving immune system function and helping the body fight infections like the common cold.
In addition, green tea improves vitality and provides more energy, combating the fatigue and general malaise characteristic of a cold.
Green tea can be consumed as an infusion or natural extract, but it should be taken with medical guidance, as excessive consumption can affect the liver.
Ingredients:
- 1 teaspoon of green tea leaves or 1 green tea bag.
- 1 cup of boiling water.
Preparation method:
Add the loose leaves or green tea bag to a cup of boiling water and let it steep for 10 minutes. Strain or remove the bag and drink immediately. This tea can be consumed 3 to 4 times a day, or as directed by a physician.
Green tea should not be consumed by children, pregnant or breastfeeding women, or people with insomnia, hyperthyroidism, gastritis, or high blood pressure. Furthermore, due to its caffeine content, it is recommended to avoid consuming it late in the day or in quantities exceeding the recommended amount.
5. Mint infusion
Peppermint tea is rich in menthol, an essential oil that helps relieve cold symptoms such as a runny or stuffy nose, headache, and cough.
In addition, this infusion has antibacterial, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory properties, which help the body fight the cold and recover more quickly.
Ingredients:
- 6 chopped mint leaves.
- 150 mL of boiling water.
Preparation method: