You’re most likely to be struck down with a cold or flu from November to the beginning of March. While prevention is the best defence, what do we do when flu symptoms do arrive? What can we take for colds?
Herbal teas for colds – your greatest allies!
Fortunately, many medicinal herbs act as home remedies for colds and shorten their duration. If taken frequently, they can even prevent an illness from worsening into bronchitis or pneumonia.
Herbal tea remedies are an excellent natural medicine for treating cold and flu symptoms. Not only do you benefit from the healing properties, but they're also soothing, warming and relaxing too.
In the winter months, it’s warm drinks that we crave. And as well as helping us to take in fluids and keep our bodies hydrated, they're a great ally against colds.
Herbal teas to combat the cold
Herbal tea ingredients that clear your nose
The most research-backed herb for defending the body against colds and flu is echinacea. This plant has a great ability to improve general immunity because it stimulates the action of white blood cells.
These are one of the body's first defences against illness. In addition, echinacea helps to produce substances that fight viruses and the ability of immune cells to destroy invading microbes.
But there are other herbal tea ingredients that help to clear your nose too:
Ginger: Antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory. Alongside treating colds/flu, ginger tea is excellent for nausea and vomiting.
Sage: Carminative, antiseptic and astringent. It’s used for sore throat and coughs, but it's also great for nasal congestion. It is important, however, not to take sage infusions during pregnancy or when breastfeeding!
Thyme: Thyme infusions are great at fighting germs. Its flavonoids also help to relax muscles and open up tight airways.
Eucalyptus: This herb contains compounds that relax the airways and open the sinuses and nasal passages.
Liquorice: Liquorice contains glycyrrhizin, which inactivates and inhibits the growth of a variety of viruses, including influenza.
Orange: This ingredient provides vitamin C, which helps boost the immune system.
Cinnamon: The bark of this aromatic plant helps relieve colds and their most common symptoms, such as fevers and runny noses.
Fennel: This is used to promote the expulsion of bronchial secretions. It also relieves coughs associated with the common cold.
Daisy: The medicinal power of this plant lies in its flowers and leaves. It's widely used as an antitussive, expectorant, diuretic, sudorific and cicatrizant.
What to take for the cold: our pick of the best home remedies for the cold
At Tea Shop, we combine the ingredients mentioned above in the following infusions:
Indian Secret. With a hot and spicy scent, this herbal tea is packed full of the properties you need.
Ginger Balm. The ideal herbal tea for when your throat needs soothing and calming.
Indian Yogi. With a slightly spicy and sweet taste from the cinnamon, this drink is invigorating and digestive.
Cocoa Orange. This revitalising infusion perfectly combines the flavours of cocoa, orange and ginger.
There's a wide variety of herbal teas to choose from, meaning you can pick the flavour you like best to help your body recover from your cold symptoms.
If you're looking for a natural way to warm up, boost your defences and even combat cold symptoms, herbal teas are the perfect choice for you. Fight the flu and relieve symptoms with herbal remedies.