Hello there my fellow tea sippers! Today, I bring you the best tea for cold and flu!
I was supposed to write an article this week on the best tea plantations in Sri Lanka. (Did you know Sri Lanka has some of the most beautiful tea plantations in the world?)
But unfortunately, I’ve been dealing with multiple deaths in the family. One of my grandmothers passed away the night before last and it was the third death in the family we’ve had in the past six weeks.
We are also in the process of moving to a different city, and it’s been an emotional roller coaster, to say the least!
And on top of that, I’ve come down with a cold. I don’t know about you lot, but in recent years, since the pandemic, I feel like the common cold just completely wipes me out.
I’ve heard and read several theories in the past week. Perhaps it’s something to do with having previously been affected by our favorite friendly neighborhood virus: Lla Corona. Perhaps it’s the COVID vaccine.
Whatever the reason, I’ve been debilitated and mostly non-functional the last few days. Only one thing made me feel better and aided my path to recovery. I drank an herbal tea twice daily, which is the recipe I’m about to share with you.
Disclaimer:
The information provided here is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. The consumption and/or application of tea and/or tea-related products and their purported benefits may vary from person to person. Any reliance you place on the information presented here is at your own risk. The author and publisher of this blog are not responsible for any adverse effects or consequences resulting from the use of any suggestions or procedures discussed herein.
Alright, with that lengthy disclaimer out of the way, I do want to mention that drinking this tea almost immediately made me feel better and all the ingredients in this tea are known for boosting the immune system and helping fight bacteria/viruses.
You may drink this tea as herbal or caffeinated. Tea, as in the processed leaves from Camellia Sinensis, has many health benefits as well. However, if you want to enjoy this tea before bedtime, I’d stay away from the caffeine.
Moreover, this delicious, soothing herbal tea is not just for when you are down with a cold. You can drink it any time of day, all year round, and enjoy the multiple health benefits!
So, without further ado, here’s the recipe for the best tea for cold and flu.
Best Herbal Tea For Cold And Flu
- ½ tsp turmeric powder
- ½ tsp cumin powder
- 4 pieces of cloves
- 4 pieces of crushed cardamom
- 2 holy basil leaves
- 2 mint leaves
- 2 cinnamon sticks (broken in half)
- 2 bay leaves (torn in half)
- 1 tsp black seeds
- 1 inch grated ginger
- Honey (to taste)
- Additional slices of grated ginger (for serving)
- 1-2 fresh mint leaves (torn in half, for serving)
- Optional: Tea leaves or a teabag (for caffeine)
- Lime juice
Boil the Spices:
- In a pot, combine 2.25 cups of water with turmeric powder, cumin powder, cloves, crushed cardamom, holy basil leaves, mint leaves, broken cinnamon sticks, torn bay leaves, black seeds, and grated ginger.
- Bring the mixture to a boil, then cover the pot with a lid and let it boil for 5 minutes.
Prepare the Cups:
- While the tea is boiling, prepare two cups. Add 1 tsp of honey to each cup.
- Include a few slices of grated ginger and 1-2 torn mint leaves in each cup.
Add Tea (Optional):
- If you want caffeine, add tea leaves or a teabag:
- For black tea, add 1 rounded tsp of tea leaves to the boiling water and turn off the heat. Let it brew for about 1 minute.
- For green tea, wait 2-3 minutes after boiling to avoid bitterness, then add the tea.
Strain and Serve:
- After 5 minutes of boiling, strain the herbal mixture into the prepared cups.
- Cover the cups with a lid for another minute to enhance the flavors.
Finish and Enjoy:
- Squeeze a few drops of lime juice into each cup and stir well.
- Enjoy your soothing tea!
