And so it begins; as the temperatures drop and the sniffles begin, it might be time to fill your cupboard with some natural immune boosters.
Plants have been used for medicinal purposes well before written history. Different herbs are often blended for their combined benefits to make teas, which have been found in documents dating as far back as 2737 B.C.
Herbal teas can be preferable during cold and flu season as they are easy to sip when you have a sore throat or upset stomach.
Below is a list of teas that you may find helpful for cold and flu season, which runs full swing from December through February. These teas can be found in your local grocery, natural food store, and online.
Echinacea Tea: Echinacea appears to be well known for its potential immune stimulating ability, helping your body’s natural defenses.
The company Traditional Medicinals, created a blend called Echinacea Plus using three forms of Echinacea.
They included lemongrass, that can help with fever and pain reduction, as well as spearmint for digestion, giving the tea a refreshing mint and citrus flavor.
Ginger Tea: Ginger has been noted as a natural anti-inflammatory. It can be helpful in soothing the digestive system calming nausea.
Yogi Tea’s has their own ginger blend that pairs it with lemongrass, licorice, and peppermint, all known for aiding the digestive system.
A little black pepper was added to get the internal engines stoked to warm you up from the inside, calming the chills that can come with a cold or the flu.
Elderberry Tea: Elderberry has been documented for wellness as far back as 400 B.C. Hippocrates called the elder tree his “medicine chest.”
Elderberry is often used to ease cold and flu symptoms like runny nose, nasal congestion, and cough. One 2011 study showed that elderberry prevented some types of strep bacteria and flu viruses from growing.
Buddha Teas didn’t mess around and dress their tea up. They use nothing but the berries for their earthy, smooth, and full berry flavored tea, so you get the most out of every sip.
Peppermint Tea: Peppermint tea is known to most people as a soother for the digestive system. However, with its menthol properties, it can act as a decongestant, cooling down and reducing inflammation in the sinuses.
Stash Tea’s version is nothing but peppermint sourced from their Pacific Northwest “backyard.” This bright and fresh tea is perfect for sipping as well as breathing the cooling steam.
Chamomile Tea: Many people use chamomile as a go-to for much-needed rest. What isn’t commonly known is that chamomile has been shown to be antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and pain-relieving too.
Celestial Seasonings chamomile tea has a “delicate aroma and sweet floral taste.” It is available in three different options, including Chamomile, Honey Vanilla Chamomile, and Sleepytime Honey Herbal, so you can get some rest and so much more.
Licorice Root Tea: Licorice is probably most famous for the once-a-year treat of Eastertime jellybeans. But licorice is rooted deeply in ancient medicine, having properties that have been used to ease sore throat pain and fight bacterial and viral infections.
Numi Teas Throat Soother Tea is a blend of licorice root combined with marshmallow root, cinnamon bark, and clove bud. This sweet and spicy tea can ease sore throat pain by coating the membranes calming inflammation.
(Be advised those with high blood pressure will need to consult their doctor before using Licorice Root).
Fennel Tea: Fennel is a strong spice not unlike licorice. It is most recognizable in Mediterranean and Asian dishes.
Fennel’s strength is found in its potential ability to not only calm your coughing but make it more productive to help your body rid itself of phlegm.
Pukka Teas Relax Tea brings together fennel, chamomile, oat flowers, and cardamom for a calming and aromatic soother. This tea may be most beneficial before bed to allow you to get some needed undisturbed rest.
There are many more herbal teas available for cold and flu season. This short list will get you started discovering blends that not only work for you and are enjoyable to sip throughout the cold and flu season.
Most, if not all, herbal teas taste good on their own. However, you can add a little sweetness, with a possible health boost, by stirring a little honey into your cup.
We’d love to hear about your favorite herbal teas and tea companies. Tell us about them in the comments, or let us know teas you’d like more information about.
Please note:
The benefits of the teas in this article have not been evaluated by the FDA. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
Consult your healthcare provider prior to use if you are pregnant or nursing, taking any medication, or if you have a medical condition.
Neither the author nor The Latest View have been compensated by the companies written about in this article.
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