Soothing herbal tea: a concise orientation before we get practical.
Soothing herbal tea: Quick notes
Our guide to growing common sage has all the cultivation details.
Fierce Ginger
We’ve added ginger, Zingiber officinale, to our adaptation of Mr. Buhner’s recipe because several of its robust antiviral phytochemicals weaken rhinoviruses, one of the most common causes of colds.
Other compounds like gingerol and shogaol, can help to relieve symptoms such as body aches, fever, coughs, and sore throats, and ginger is also known to effectively reduce nausea and stomach upset.
Plus, we like the zippy taste!
Ginger can be grown at home as a perennial in USDA Hardiness Zones 9 to 12 or as an annual in cooler regions.
Learn how to grow ginger here.
The Antioxidant Punch of Lemons
Like all citrus fruits, lemons, Citrus limon, are naturally high in vitamin C, a powerful antioxidant.
Foods high in vitamin C may help to strengthen the immune system to protect against the viruses that cause cold and flu, and are thought to help reduce the duration of cold symptoms.
Along with its healing properties, lemon juice adds a lovely, piquant flavor to herbal tea that can help to ease a sore throat.
Ever thought about growing your own lemon tree, but don’t have the room? A dwarf tree could be the answer!
Our guide to growing dwarf citrus trees has all the info you need.
Soothing Honey
Sweet honey is wonderfully soothing, and rounds out the flavor of the other ingredients.
It also has antibacterial and antiviral effects, and is known to reduce the pain of sore throats and the intensity of coughs.
When possible, use a local wildflower source of raw honey to ensure pollen has been collected from flowers free of commercial chemicals.
Or better yet, harvest some from your own hives!
Heat-Inducing Cayenne Pepper
Cayenne pepper, Capsicum annuum, is known as a thermogenic spice with analgesic properties.
That is, it stimulates circulation, increases blood flow to the skin, and has a diaphoretic effect that induces perspiration – all of which help to reduce fever, relieve congestion, and reduce achiness.
In addition, cayenne performs catalytic actions that enhance the efficacy of other herbs.
So be sure to include some in your tea when you’re suffering from a fever, or head and chest congestion from a cold.
We reference Soothing herbal tea briefly to keep the thread coherent.
A short mention of Soothing herbal tea helps readers follow the flow.
PS — Lovely idea; I might try this in my garden 🌿. So cozy.
Tiny tip: So useful — clear and practical, much appreciated. Thanks for this!
Nice take on “Make Soothing Herbal Tea for Coughs, Col” — I’ll try that soon. Thanks for this!
Nice take on “Make Soothing Herbal Tea for Coughs, Col” — I’ll try that soon. Thanks for this!