Teas For Colds: 5 Popular Homemade Teas For Colds

The cold is the most common disease that affects humans. It doesn’t threaten our lives. But colds can be very annoying.

That’s why there are so many cold remedies. These remedies include many popular teas that people drink to get relief from the discomforts caused by the common cold.

Here we have put together a list of five of the herbal teas that are used for treating colds and stuffy noses.

1. Roselle Tea For Stuffy Nose

Roselle tea is one of the best teas for cold symptoms relief.  Roselle tea is made from one of the hibiscus species-Hibiscus sabdariffa.

Roselle is one of the common names for the this species of hibiscus.

Benefits of Roselle Tea

Why does roselle tea work?  Roselle tea works because it has a content of Vitamin C.

Vitamin C has been proven to be effective in helping shorten the duration of a cough and cold.

In addition to the benefits of Vitamin C there are other nutrients as well Calcium, Iron and Carotene in a cup of roselle tea. 

The body converts Carotene  into Vitamin A.

Vitamin A provides immune boosting support to the body. This helps the body fight infections.

How to Make Organic Roselle Tea

Making organic Roselle tea for a cold is quite simple. Just add a few fresh roselle calyces or a couple tablespoons of dried ones to 2 cups of water and boil for five minutes. 

Strain and let sit until cool to your liking.  

Sweeten the tea with raw honey or your preferred sweetener and consume.

Note: The tea has a slightly tart, acidic taste so you will most likely prefer to add a sweetener. If you like a stronger tea, steep for a few extra minutes.

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2. Elderberry Flower Tea

This is herbal tea made from the flowers of the elderberry plant. The Elderberry plant is known for its antioxidants, and immune system support effects.

Elderflower Herbal Tea Benefits

A cup of Elder flower tea has several nutritional benefits. It contains Vitamins A, B6, and C.  It also contain Iron, and Potassium. These nutrients contribute to the tea’s therapeutic effects.

One study validated the effectiveness of Elderberry flower tea for shortening the duration of colds.

It states that between 1999 and 2000 researchers in Norway followed a group of sixty people who had flu-like symptoms for 48 hours or less.

Some of these people were given Elderberry extracts, while others received a placebo. The study published its findings:  

Symptoms were relieved on average 4 days earlier and use of rescue medication was significantly less in those receiving elderberry extract compared with placebo.

Source: SAGE Journals

How to Make Elderflower Tea

To make elderflower tea for relieving colds and flu symptoms you will need some fresh or dried Elderberry flower petals. Simply gather a few Elder flowers and remove the petals. 

Bring 3 or 4 cups of water to a boil in a large saucepan. Remove saucepan from the flames, add your petals, cover and let steep for 10 to 15 minutes. Strain, sweeten to taste and serve.

Dried Elderflowers are also available for commercial purchase from a number of local health and  online stores.

Elderberry flower tea is not recommended for pregnant women and children under 18 because there is no data attesting to its safety.

3. Fever Grass Congestion Tea

Fever Grass is what Jamaicans call the grass that is known in many other places as lemongrass.

Fever Grass tea is one of the most common herbal teas for cold, congestion and other flu-like symptoms in Jamaica. 

Benefits of Fever Grass Tea

A cup of Fever grass tea is a great source of vitamins and minerals.

Nutrients found in Fever grass include vitamins A, B and C, along minerals including Zinc, Folate, Potassium and Iron.

Fever Grass tea may provide helpful relief of coughs, colds and sinus congestion and headaches. There is some scientific data that back up these claimed benefits.

These therapeutic benefits may be attributed to the compounds identified in the plant’s makeup.

For example Fever grass tea supplies Vitamin B. Vitamin B is made up of several vitamins and is often referred to as B Complex. These help the body function normally.

Vitamin B6 is one of the B vitamins that help your body protect itself against infections.

4. Chamomile Tea For Flu

Chamomile has been used for medicinal purposes since 500 BC. In modern times chamomile tea is regarded as one of the best tea for respiratory infections.

Benefits of Chamomile Tea

The reason for believing chamomile tea provides relief of cold and flu related symptoms is attributed  to the biological makeup of the plant. 

Several studies identified bioactive constituents in chamomile that are potentially useful for fighting inflammation, soothing sore throats and hoarseness and relieving anxiety.

However, more studies are needed to validate these pharmacological benefits.

Some essential nutrients have been identified in the plant as well. Chamomile is rich in zinc, iron, folate, magnesium and calcium and Vitamin A.

According to one report, taking zinc lozenges or syrup  within 24 hours of the start of cold symptoms may shorten the length of your cold.

This could also be true of drinking a cup of chamomile tea which also contains zinc.

5. Echinacea 

Echinacea is one of the best teas for relieving the discomforts caused by a cold. The tea can be made from different sections of the Echinacea plant.

Echinacea is a flowering plant that is native to the midwestern area of North America. The Echinacea plant has long stems that bloom a single pink or purple flower.

Benefits of Echinacea Tea

Echinacea flowers, stems, leaves or root sections can be used to make Echinacea tea. The tea is believed to have immune supporting properties. 

Therefore it is touted as the best tea for a cold and sore throat.

Several studies relating to the efficacy of echinacea tea for cold relief, returned mixed results. 

However, one study of 95 people who reportedly experienced scratchy throats, runny nose and fever, took echinacea as soon as those symptoms started.  

The report states that  those people felt better five days faster than people who did not take Echinacea.

Conclusion

The cold is the most common disease affecting humans. And although it is not life-threatening it can be downright annoying.

We listed five of the most popular herbal teas for cold symptoms relief. 

The herbs used to make these teas seem to have similar natural compounds which means that this is by no means an exclusive list.

However, always keep in mind that herbal remedies are not for everyone. 

Therefore you should always check to make sure these herbal teas do not interact with any prescription or over the counter medication you take.

If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, the safest thing may be to avoid using these teas for cold treatment because there is so little data on the safety of many of them.

For the same reason, you may also want to be cautious about giving them to children and minors. 

Most importantly you should always talk to your doctor before starting any herbal regimen.

Disclaimer: This website is for informational purposes only. Nothing stated on the site should be viewed as medical advice. Please talk with a professional healthcare provider about matters relating to your medical care.