We would all agree that winter is one of the most beautiful times of the year. A cozy season, full of gatherings with friends and family, relaxing in front of fireplaces with warm beverages, lots of eggnog, mint chocolates, food and snow.. What is not to love about it?
Of course just like every good thing in life, winter has its downsides too. The cold weather and viruses can take a toll on you and bring you down with colds and the flu which can make you cranky and crabby. No one likes soar throats, fever and aches but you you can banish all these unpleasant side effects with good old tea. Besides regular tea, there are oodles of medicinal herbal tisanes rich in antioxidants, that can keep you healthy and strong.
In this post, you will learn about the 8 MUST HAVE herbal teas to help you send the winter blues away!
#1 Chamomile Tea
One of the most beneficial herbal teas you can treat yourselves is nothing else other than chamomile. This very common tisane, rich in vitamins and antioxidants has antibacterial properties that can help protect and boost your immune system. You should consume this tea daily to prevent or fight common illness such as colds and flu and fight inflammation. Moreover this tea is known to be a mild sedative so it makes a perfect natural -and absolutely safe- remedy for insomnia and anxiety.
#2 Ginger Tea
Ginger tea is very popular for speeding up digestion and offering instant relief from an upset stomach and nausea. But this spicy herbal infusion can also invigorate and renew you while boosting immunity and helping with stress reduction. Another thing you didn’t probably know about ginger is that it is a compound that induces perspiration. That makes it highly effective for breaking a fever and relieving cold or flu symptoms. Also ginger has been shown to have an antibacterial effect on respiratory infections an can help rid the lungs and sinuses from toxins.
#3 Peppermint Tea
Everyone loves their mint chocolates and other sweet treats during winter but not everyone appreciates the wonderful tea peppermint can offer. Peppermint tea is delicious, refreshing and has so many health properties that you should not ignore. Rich in antioxidants, this herbal tea can soothe and calm you while providing great relief for mild stomach aches which can often occur during the cold winter months. Overeating when it’s cold is not something unheard of anyway.. Also according to the University of Maryland Medical Center, mint tea can thin mucus, sooth a sore throat and helps dry coughs as well. Next time you have an upset stomach or suffer from a stuffy nose just make yourself some peppermint tea with honey and let it work its magic for you. Inhaling it can help clear nasal congestion too!
#4 Lemon Balm Tea
Lemon balm tea doesn’t only smell amazing but it can be a great health promoter too. Rich in vitamin C, this naturally sweet tea is anti-viral which makes it a great beverage to have when feeling under the weather. A hot cup of lemon balm tea promotes sweating which helps relieving colds, flus and fevers. Also, lemon balm is an amazing tranquilizer that can help calm your nerves, relax and ease an upset stomach. After a long stressful day a cup of lemon balm is the perfect treat to help you calm your body and mind and fight fatigue and the first symptoms of a cold.
#5 Licorice Tea
Licorice is known for its naturally sweet taste and its use in candy and drinks but did you know that it makes a great cup of tea as well? Licorice tea is delicious and very healthy too and it has been traditionally used for the treatment of many ailments. Drinking licorice tea can strengthen your immune system and protect your body against the cold and flu while it can be one of the most effective remedies for treating cough and soothing a soar throat. Also, licorice tea’s anti-inflammatory effects will help loosen mucus in the lungs and clear clogged nasal passages.
#6 Echinacea Tea
This wonderful herb couldn’t be missing from this list. Echinacea has been used as medicine for centuries. When facing a bad cold and everything you try has failed it is time to try some powerful echinacea tea. This healing herb can be very effective in preventing infections but can also be very useful is treating them. Research has determined that echinacea can cut the chances of catching a common cold by 58 percent and reduce the duration of the common cold by almost one-and-a-half days. Due to its immune-boosting and anti-inflammatory effects, the herbal tea can also relieve upper respiratory issues.
#7 Elderberry Tea
Elderberries are abundant in vitamins and antioxidants and create an amazing tea with healing properties which when consumed on a regular basis can have some significant health benefits. Elderberry tea is a very popular tea to have during cold and flu season in order to protect your body from sickness. Its powerful antioxidants boost the immune system and can fill you up with energy. In case of a cold, this tea can clear up congestion, address the symptoms of a fever and shield your body against the cold in the future. Also the tea’s diuretic effect make it a good detoxifier too.
#8 Marshmallow Tea
No we are not talking about the white fluffy food treat roasted at campfires.. Marshmallow is an herb that was originally used by the Egyptians for its variety of medicinal uses.The plant’s leaves and roots contain polysaccharides that have antibacterial properties. That is why marshmallow has a soothing effect on inflamed membranes in the mouth and throat when ingested orally making it effective in easing a sore throat and reducing dry cough. So next time you lose your voice by a persistent dry cough make sure you make yourself some marshmallow tea and drink a few cups of it during the day.
Herbal teas can offer great relief from so many common ailments. Make sure you have a few cups daily and experiment with different kinds. There are so many different flavors to enjoy and are very comforting, especially during the cold winter months!
What kind of herbal tea do you like to have in the winter?