When you start feeling a cold coming on, you're probably likely to just want to curl up under a blanket with tissues in tow, put on your favorite show, and grab a nice hot beverage. You've heard it before, and you'll hear it again -- your granny was right. If you're looking to soothe a sore throat or ease the sniffles, look no further than a nice, hot cup of tea.
There are many reasons that tea is great for cold and flu symptoms. For starters, the hot steamy liquid will physically help soothe the throat and start to loosen congestion in the sinuses. Plus, drinking tea will help you stay hydrated, which is a powerful tool to boost your immune system and keep you feeling more energized overall. And beyond that, there are certain teas that are anti inflammatory, anti microbial, and packed with antioxidants to boost your immune system. In this blog, we'll share the very best teas to keep your cold and flu symptoms at bay -- and maybe you'll find your new favorite tea flavor, too.
The 7 Best Teas for Colds
Peppermint Tea
Peppermint tea, or mint tea, is known to be a great option for the common cold. This herbal tea contains menthol, a cooling agent that will help numb a sore throat and suppress a cough. Peppermint tea has also been shown to act as an antimicrobial, which means that it can help fight the bacteria causing your illness in the first place. Peppermint has also been shown to help fight nausea, so if tummy troubles are coming along with your flu symptoms, this may be a good option for you.
Many enjoy peppermint tea for colds because it has similar properties to that of a cough drop, but warms your throat in the process.
If you want to try a peppermint tea for your cold, consider Mosi's Green Mint tea. This premium loose leaf blends peppermint, spearmint and lemongrass with garden-picked green tea for a perfectly refreshing, menthol-packed tea with a hint of light sweetness.
Ginger Tea
Ginger is known to have powerful anti inflammatory properties, which will help your body respond to sickness. You can make ginger tea at home by simply boiling ginger root in water, and you'll concoct an herbal tea that is soothing, as well as antiviral. Ginger is also known to help with nausea, a common side effect of the common cold.
Chamomile Tea
Chamomile tea is another great option for easing cold symptoms. We all know that rest is the greatest healer, but sleeping with congestion or a cough can be challenging. Luckily, chamomile flowers have been shown to help you fall asleep, putting you on the right track towards recovery. A nice calming hot tea may be just what the doctor ordered.
Mosi's Green Chamomile tea is a loose leaf herbal tea that, in addition to its sleepy chamomile properties, is packed with antioxidants to help keep your immune system fighting away. Plus, it pairs wonderfully with honey, which can help soothe a sore throat even more.
Green Tea
Green tea is basically a powerhouse when it comes to teas. Known to help with cognition, weight loss, and cancer prevention, green tea has tons of health benefits and is packed with antioxidants. It may just be your secret weapon against the common cold and flu.
Along with its abundance of antioxidants (which help fight free radicals in the body), green tea contains l-theanine, which is known to help ease stress. Because increased stress can actually wear out your immune system, keeping your mental health in check during a cold is critical -- and green tea may just be your best friend to get the job done.
While Green Mint and Green Chamomile teas are both great options with other benefits, we also recommend trying our Vanilla Matcha tea when you have a cold. Matcha can be a powerful cold-fighter because it contains an incredible concentration of antioxidants and stress-relieving properties.
Echinacea Tea
You may have never heard of this one, but it's certainly worth getting on your radar. Echinacea tea comes from a purple flower that has historically been used as a cold cure by Native tribes. Studies have shown that, when taken as a supplement, echinacea can prevent your chances of getting a cold by up to 58% -- and may help reduce the duration of an existing cold as well.
Though you can take echinacea as a supplement, drinking this floral tea is a delicious way to get some of its cold-fighting properties into your system.
Licorice Root Tea
This may be another newbie in your vocabulary -- but is certainly worth adding to your shopping list. Licorice root tea is a sweeter tea that has been used as an herbal remedy for treating everything from the common cold to heartburn. Known for its antiviral properties, this herbal tea is a great option to treat your cold.
Lemon Tea
Lemon tea's power comes from its extra dose of vitamin C. To make lemon tea that tastes great, start with a base of a tea you already love (we recommend an Earl Grey or black tea, which both pair well with this sour citrus) and squeeze half a lemon into your cup. To add an extra soothing boost and to even out the sour flavor, stir in some honey.
Conclusion
If you're starting to feel cold symptoms come on, it's worth getting your tea infuser out and ready for brewing. Tea is packed with plenty of health benefits to help boost your immune system and make you feel better overall.
Don't wait until your grandma reminds you.
