There are many herbal tea recipes for colds. Some of them are old folk remedies passed down from generations past. Drinking herbal teas are not likely to cure the common cold, but they are believed to relieve various symptoms associated with the common cold. Plus, there are so many health benefits of drinking tea that makes herbal teas a worthy addition to your cold fighting toolkit.
Herbal Tea Recipes for Colds
Herbal tea recipes are fun and easy to brew. They are a healthy and economical alternative to purchasing over-the-counter cold medications to relieve lingering cold symptoms. Herbal tea mixtures can be used in steam vaporizers, herbal steam baths and herbal compressions. Why not experiment with one of these following herbal tea recipes? Feel free to add one teaspoon of your favorite black, green, or white tea leaves to each cup of any of the following herbal teas.
Bedtime Sage Tea
This herbal tea concoction is a natural bedtime tonic for colds, aiding in a more restful sleep. Sage leaves are an herbal decongestant, tending to clear the respiratory functions quickly and efficiently; peppermint similarly clears the respiratory system along with reducing a fever. Catnip is known to cause sleepiness in humans, inducing a good night's sleep. It is also believed to reduce fevers.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon sage leaves, dried
- 1 tablespoon catnip, dried
- 1 tablespoon peppermint leaves, dried
- 1 quart water, boiling
- Juice of one lemon (optional)
- Honey to taste (optional)
Directions
- Place herbs in a teapot.
- Bring a quart of water to a rolling boil, adding the water to the teapot and cover.
- Steep the herb leaves for 15 to 30 minutes. Strain the leaves from the water before serving.
- Add the juice of one lemon, plus honey to taste into the teapot. Serve infused tea in mugs.
Spicy Green Tea
Spicy green tea is an herbal tea remedy helpful in aiding immune functions, as well as breaking a fever and soothing a sore throat. Cayenne and ginger will both increase circulation and sweating, which is often useful in breaking a fever. Moreover, ginger is an effective anti-inflammatory for sore throats, while honey has long been believed to soothe a sore throat. Green tea has wonderful anti-inflammatory properties. Green tea is also associated with increased immune function and with combating influenza in general.
Ingredients
- 2 teaspoons green tea leaves
- 4 slices ginger root, fresh
- Pinch of cayenne pepper
- 2 cups steamed water
- 2 teaspoons honey
Directions
- Heat four cups of water until the water steams; if it reaches the boiling point, allow water to cool a few minutes. Warm mugs by pouring hot water in each mug, and discard the water; save two cups of water for tea.
- Add one teaspoon of green tea leaves, two slices of ginger root and a pinch or two of cayenne pepper to each warmed mug. Pour steamed water in each mug; cover and steep for 10 minutes.
- Strain tea leaves and ginger. Add honey to taste and sip.
Lemon Balm Herbal Tea
Lemon balm and fennel seed both assist in clearing up the upper respiratory tract, while lemon balm is additionally known to combat sleeping difficulties, promoting a restful sleep. Fennel is believed to relieve earaches, while honey is believed to soothe a sore throat.
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup lemon balm leaves, crushed
- 1/4 cup fennel seeds, crushed or ground
- 1 quart water, boiling
- 3 slices lemon, wedges
- 2 teaspoons honey
Directions
- Place herbs, lemon wedges and sweetener in a warmed teapot.
- Bring a quart of water to a rolling boil; add the water to the teapot and cover.
- Steep tea mixture for 20 minutes; strain and serve in mugs with extra lemon garnish.
Soothing Echinacea Tea
This herbal tea is an excellent hot beverage for colds taken at any time of the day or night. Blackberry, blueberry and elder flowers are herbs helpful in relieving the symptoms of chronic cough and respiratory congestion. Elder flowers will also help in reducing fevers. Echinacea assists the bodily systems with immunity support to help fight off your cold virus quickly.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons Echinacea roots or flowers, dried
- 1 tablespoon blackberry leaves, dried
- 1 tablespoon blueberry leaves, dried
- 1 tablespoon elder flowers, dried
- 1 quart water, boiling
Directions
- In a pot over the stove, bring a quart of water to a gentle boil.
- Place the herbal flowers and leaves into the hot water, and stir.
- Lower the heat to simmer; simmer herbal tea remedy for 15 minutes.
- Strain and pour the infused herbal liquid into a warmed teapot.
Homemade Herbal Tea Recipes for Colds
There are many herbs that are remedial in relieving the different symptoms of the common cold. You may wish to experiment with making your own homemade herbal tea recipes for colds. Below is a list of alternative herbs used in teas to relieve symptoms of the common cold:
- Aniseed
- Calendula flowers
- Chamomile
- Dill seed
- Licorice root
- Linden flowers
- Malva flowers
- Marshmallow root
- Mullein flowers
- Thyme leaves
- Vervain leaves
The next time you feel a cold coming on, try a few of these herbal tea recipes. You'll be feeling like yourself again before you know it.
