It’s that time of year again. The weather has already started to get colder and everyone is trying to hide their sniffles. All the medical centers are pushing the flu-shot and people are trying to stack up on cold and flu medicines.
Since I’m not a fan of flu-shots or chemical-filled medicines, I turn to mother nature for my remedies. Nature provides us with everything we need to help us get better. Herbal healing is the oldest healing system in the world. It’s a shame we know so little about all the plants that are around us.
I’ve gathered a list of herbs from my herbal books that recommend the best herbal teas for cold and flu symptoms.
I’m a firm believer in the phrase “you are what you eat,” so I always look for the best of the best to make sure that my body is getting what it needs. Finding the correct herbs and their medicinal properties isn’t information that’s easy to come by, so I’ve done the hard work of researching what herbs you’ll need to make your herbal tea to fight off any cold and flu-like symptoms.
What herbs are good for cold and flu?
There are a number of herbs that are excellent for colds, fever, and flu symptoms (you’ll learn what they are in a second!). Some of the herbs work on all three symptoms while others focus on only one particular symptom. Below, I’ve listed the herbs best for all three symptoms of influenza first and then the herbs best for each particular symptom.
Best herbs for cold and flu symptoms
Peppermint
Butternut bark
Sage
Hyssop
Wild Cherry
Best herbs for flu
Peppermint
Ginger
White Pine
Sage
Nettle
Best herbs for colds
Catnip
Ginger
Saffron
Vervain
Ginseng
Best herbs for fever
Dandelion
Thyme
Mandrake
Wild Cherry bark
Yarrow (relieves fever in 24 hours)
Can I drink herbal tea cold?
For flu-like symptoms, it’s best to drink herbal tea at a hot temperature. If you plan to make herbal teas a part of your regular diet, it’s best to enjoy it cool to lukewarm.
Is peppermint tea good for cold and flu?
As you can see from the list above, peppermint is a great option for all flu-like symptoms. It’s one of the few herbs that has a plethora of medicinal properties plus, it’s delicious and refreshing.
Where to buy herbs
Most herbs can be found in your local supermarket in pre-packaged containers but if you’re like me and want the loose herbs then a quick search on google will help you to locate your nearest herbs and roots shop.
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Before I give you a simple herbal tea recipe here are a few tips to remember when making tea.
- When brewing herbal tea add 1-3 teaspoons of herbs to 1 cup of boiling water.
- DO NOT BOIL the herbs.
- Pour the boiling water on the herbs in a teacup and let it steep for 5-10 minutes
- If you want the tea to be stronger, add more herbs.
- DO NOT STEEP LONGER, this will cause the tea to taste bitter.
- Always strain the tea before drinking
- Drink the herbal tea HOT for flu-like symptoms
- Brewed tea can stay in the refrigerator for up to 7 days
- A maximum of 4 cups of tea should be consumed throughout the day, preferably before every meal or before retiring to bed.
- DO NOT USE Aluminum containers or utensils.
- Use only glass, porcelain, or enamel cooking utensils.
Homemade Herbal Tea Recipe For Cold And Flu
What you’ll need
To make one cup
Ingredients
2 tsp of Peppermint
1 tsp of Yarrow
1 cup of water
Directions
Pour boiling water on herbs in a teacup, cover, and let steep for 5-10 minutes
Strain herbs before drinking
Drink while the tea is hot
To make one pint
Ingredients
1 oz of Peppermint
1/2 oz of Yarrow
1 pint of water
Directions
Pour boiling water on herbs in a glass container, cover, and let steep for 5-10 minutes
Strain herbs before drinking
Drink while the tea is hot
Reheat lightly when needed. Do not boil.
Use precautions when ingesting herbal teas. I recommend drinking the tea at night or whenever you don’t need to go outside. Pay attention to how your body reacts to the herb before drinking too much. If you have a negative reaction, stop drinking the tea immediately and flush your system with water. Do not make your teas strong if you’re a beginner.
Disclaimer
Information found on this site is meant for educational and informational purposes only. It is not meant to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. If you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a medical condition, consult a doctor or other health care professional before using any essential oil products. If you use any of the products made available to you through the use of our website without obtaining health care professional advice, you do so at your own risk.
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