The best teas for a cold include echinacea tea with honey, lemon tea with garlic and ginger or green tea. These help to relieve cold symptoms such as a sore throat, cough and a stuffy or runny nose.

These teas are rich in antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and immunostimulant properties that strengthen the body's natural defenses to the fight the cold virus.

Drinking tea also ensures that the body is sufficiently hydrated, which is important to fight the virus. They can also help to soothe an irritated throat and thin out secretions to loosen phlegm and make it easier to cough up.

This content is solely for informative purposes and should not replace a medical consultation. Do not interrupt your current treatment without seeking medical guidance.

Which teas are best to treat a cold?

Teas for a cold that you can prepare at home include:

1. Echinacea tea with honey

Echinacea tea with honey is rich in antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and immunostimulant compounds, such as flavonoids, chicory and rosmarinic acids. These can boost immunity and reduce the production of substances that can lead to a sore throat or muscle aches. Learn more about the health benefits of echinacea and what it can be used for.

Honey also helps to lubricate the throat and reduce inflammation, which can relieve coughs and phlegm. However, people who are allergic to honey, propolis or pollen should avoid adding honey to their echinacea tea.

Ingredients

1 teaspoon of echinacea root or leaves
1 tablespoon of honey
1 cup of boiling water

Directions

If you are using echinacea leaves, add them to a cup of boiling water and let them steep for 5 to 10 minutes. For echinacea root, boil the roots in the 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 tea contains antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties due to the allicin, present in garlic, the phenolic compounds (like gingerol, chogaol and zingerone) in the ginger, and the vitamin C in the lemon. They can work together to combat cold symptoms like sore throat and general malaise.

This tea can also boost immunity and reduce the duration of the 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 powdered ginger
3 cups of water
Honey to sweeten (optional)

Directions

Boil the water with the garlic. Remove from the heat and add the lemon juice, ginger and honey. Strain and serve immediately.
Ginger should not be consumed by anyone on blood thinners, and therefore should be skipped in these cases.

3. White willow tea

White willow, scientifically known as Salix alba, contains potent analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties due to the presence of salicin. This is a substance that works similarly to the main ingredient in aspirin.

Therefore, tea made from the bark of this plant can be a good option to relieve symptoms like a sore throat, muscle pain and malaise.

Ingredients

2 teaspoons of white willow bark;
2 cups of water.

Directions

Bring the water to a boil 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 women, breastfeeding women, or people with an allergy to aspirin or who take anticoagulants. The use of white willow bark tea is not recommended for people with gastrointestinal conditions, such as ulcers, gastritis, gastroesophageal reflux, colitis or diverticulitis.

4. Green tea

Some studies show that green tea, scientifically known as Camellia sinensis, contains phenolic compounds like epigallocatechin, which has antioxidant properties that reduce oxidative stress caused by free radicals. This can improve immune system action and help the body to fight infections.

Green tea also boost mood and energy, combating fatigue and general malaise that can occur with colds.

Green tea can be consumed as a teas, infusion or natural extract, and should be used as aproved by your doctor, as excessive use can be harmful to the liver.

Ingredients

1 teaspoon of green tea leaves or 1 green tea bag;
1 cup of boiling water.

Directions

Add the green tea leaves or teabag to a cup of boiling water and let it steep for 10 minutes. Strain or remove the teabag and drink immediately. This tea can be consumed 3 to 4 times a day, or as directed by a doctor.

Green tea should not be consumed by children, pregnant women or breastfeeding women, nor by anyone with a history of insomnia, hyperthyroidism, gastritis or high blood pressure. Furthermore, because it contains caffeine, this tea should be avoided at the end of the day or in excessive quantities.

5. Mint tea

Mint tea is rich in menthol, an essential oil that helps improve cold symptoms like a runny nose, stuffy nose, headache and cough.

This tea has antibacterial, antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties, which help the body fight the cold virus and promote a faster recovery.

Ingredients

6 chopped mint leaves
150 ml of boiling water

Directions

Pour the water in a cup over the chopped mint leaves and let it steep for 5 to 7 minutes. Strain, sweeten with honey if desired and drink 3 to 4 cups a day.

6. Star anise tea

Star anise tea can be taken to boost immunity and reduce cold symptoms. It is rich in phenolic compounds with antioxidant action that help to eliminate free radicals that interfere with the proper immune system functioning.

In addition, star anise has antiviral activity due to shikimic acid in its composition.

Ingredients

1 tablespoon of star anise
500 mL of boiling water
Honey to sweeten (optional)

Directions

Pour the boiling water into a cup and add the anise. Cover, let cool, strain, sweeten with honey and drink immediately. Drink this tea 3 times a day, while cold symptoms persist.

7. Licorice tea

Licorice tea contains glycyrrhizin, a substance with anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antibacterial action. It can help to fight cold symptoms such as general malaise, muscle aches and a stuffy nose.

Ingredients

1 teaspoon of licorice root
1 cup of boiling water
Honey to sweeten

Directions

Add the licorice to the cup of boiling water, cover and let it steep for 10 minutes. Strain and sweeten with honey if desired. Drink this tea up to 2 times a day.

Licorice tea should not be consumed by pregnant or breastfeeding women, nor by people with a history of heart problems.

8. Marshmallow tea

Marshmallow tea, also known as white mallow, is prepared using the root of the medicinal plant Althaea officinalis. This plant has an anti-inflammatory effect, making it a great home remedy to help fight colds.

Ingredients

1 tablespoon of marshmallow root
1 cup of boiling water

Directions

Add the marshmallow root to the cup of boiling water and let it steep for 10 minutes. Strain and drink immediately, up to 2 cups a day.