When you feel under the weather, a warm cup is pure comfort. Here are the teas people reach for during cold and flu season and how to get the most from them.
What teas help when you're sick?
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Early wind-cold (chills more than fever, clear runny nose, body aches, no sweating)
- Fresh ginger: This is the classic home remedy. Simmer briefly, drink hot, and rest under a blanket to encourage a light sweat.
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Cinnamon twig : This is used in formulas for chills with aches, though it's more often combined with other herbs than used alone.
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Early wind-heat (sore throat, fever more than chills, yellow or thick mucus, thirst)
- Chrysanthemum: These are cooling and gentle, and chrysanthemum makes an easy standalone tea.
- Mint: It's cooling and clears the head. It's added at the end of brewing because it's volatile.
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Dry cough and dry throat (common in heated indoor air)
- Monk Fruit: It's naturally sweet and soothes the throat and lungs.
- Asian pear: It's steamed with rock sugar, sometimes with Chuan Bei Mu (fritillaria bulb), as a classic cough remedy.
When should I start drinking tea for a cold?
At the first tickle. Sipping a warm herbal cup early and staying hydrated with 3–5 cups a day keeps you comfortable while you rest.
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Keep caffeine-free comfort on hand with our herbal tea blends —including our Sleepy Plum Tea - ready the moment you need them.
General information only, not medical advice. See a doctor if symptoms are severe or persistent. High fever, trouble breathing, or symptoms lasting more than about 10 days call for a doctor rather than tea.
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