Sip Your Way to Wellness: The Top Teas for Colds
Drinking water and caffeine-free teas keeps you hydrated. This helps your body heal. In addition, teas contain plant compounds. These are called polyphenols. Polyphenols support your immune system. Therefore, they may reduce your chances of catching a cold.
1. Green Tea: An Immune-Boosting Powerhouse
Green tea has special polyphenols called catechins. They help fight viruses and inflammation. For example, one study found a major benefit. People drinking green tea twice weekly had a lower flu risk.
To get the most benefit, brew it correctly. Use cooler water for a long time. Alternatively, use hot water for a shorter brew. Squeezing lemon into your tea also helps. Lemon makes the tea more acidic. This helps your body use the catechins better.
However, green tea does contain caffeine. Please consume it in moderation.
2. Echinacea & Elderberry: Herbal Defenders
Echinacea tea comes from a purple flower. It contains alkamides. These compounds may help your body fight viruses. Some studies show promising results. For instance, one found the tea worked well against viruses.
Another study combined it with elderberry. This hot drink worked as well as flu medicine when taken early. Therefore, these herbal teas can be powerful tools.
Elderberry itself is rich in antioxidants. These may slow down viruses. Most research focuses on supplements, not tea. Be very careful with elderberry. Only use the ripe berries or flowers. Other parts of the plant are poisonous.
Important Note: Always consult your doctor before trying Echinacea. It may not be safe during pregnancy. It can also interact with some medications.
3. Soothing Teas for Comfort & Rest
Chamomile and ginger teas offer different benefits. Chamomile is famous for improving sleep. Since rest is essential for healing, this indirectly helps your recovery.
Ginger contains gingerols. These compounds might help fight flu viruses. Studies on people show ginger lowers inflammation. Lowering inflammation helps your body heal. However, no studies directly prove ginger tea fights colds.
Lemon tea is a popular choice. It provides vital hydration. While lemon itself is rich in vitamin C, the tea does not contain much. For more vitamin C, eat the fruit directly. Ultimately, staying hydrated with any warm tea supports your health.
