Is There a ‘Best’ Tea to Treat Colds

When you’re fighting a cold, it’s essential to load up on caffeine-free liquids that keep you hydrated. A smart choice is a cup of hot tea, as it can soothe a sore throat and break up congestion.
Research hasn’t yet established that any one tea can help clear up the common cold. However, plenty of evidence suggests that some herbal tea ingredients may ease respiratory infection symptoms. This article explores the research on several types of teas you may want to try as a home remedy for the common cold.

۱. Lemon tea
Drinking lemon tea, or squeezing lemon into another kind of herbal tea, is a home remedy that people have been using for decades. Despite its popularity, most of the evidence supporting the use of lemon tea for sore throats is anecdotal.
That said, lemons are a citrus fruit, meaning they contain vitamin C. Vitamin C is an important nutrient for your body when you’re fighting a cold or virus.

۲. Green tea
Green tea is popular all over the world for its many purported health benefits. A review of the medical literature on green tea points out its high antioxidant content.Trusted Source This antioxidant activity helps support your body when it’s under attack by environmental factors or by an intruding infection. Researchers have concluded that green tea provides immune support and helps encourage a healthy metabolism, too.
As far as green tea and colds, more research is needed. While green tea might give you an energy boost while your body is fighting a cold, we don’t know enough to say whether or not it will shorten your cold’s duration.

۳. Herbal tea with honey
Herbal teas can be made out of dried fruits, spices, or herbs. Herbal teas are naturally decaffeinated, so they won’t dehydrate you. They often carry a sweet flavor and soothing scent. They taste especially good with a natural sweetener, like honey. Chamomile tea and peppermint tea have long been a favorite of people recovering from the common cold. Keep in mind that chamomile tea is not recommended if you’re pregnant.

Other home remedies
There are plenty of other home remedies you can try while you recover from a cold or a sore throat.
• Staying hydrated is essential for your health, even when you’re not fighting a cold. Aim for 8 to 10 glasses of water or other non-caffeinated fluids while you rest and recover from the common cold.
• Zinc supplements may work to reduce the amount of time you’re sick, especially if you can take them within 24 hours of your symptoms appearing.Trusted Source Trusted Source
• Over-the-counter medications, such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen, may help reduce headache, aching joints, and fever symptoms from a cold.
• Keep cough drops or throat lozenges handy. These help because they encourage your mouth to make saliva, which keeps your throat moist and eases soreness.