With the onset of cold weather, the typical symptoms of a cold arrive as usual: cough, fever, runny nose and sore throat. A cup of hot tea can help you get better.
Syrups, sprays, drops, tablets, powders for drinks – there are many cold remedies available in the pharmacy. But you don’t always need medicine – sometimes herbal teas are enough.
When brewing tea, the first rule is not to use metal utensils (strainer, cup), as metal neutralises the medicinal properties of certain substances. This does not apply to boiling water, the main thing is that the plant should not come into contact with metal. It is best not to sweeten the tea, and if you do, at most add honey. If you do, make sure that the active ingredients in the honey are degraded in the boiling water, so preferably add it to tea that is lukewarm, but not more than 60 degrees Celsius.
Herbal teas on an empty stomach
Herbal teas are absorbed most quickly on an empty stomach, so they work best when taken before breakfast or three hours after a main meal. The preparation is the same: boil 1 teaspoon of dried herb in 2.5 decilitres of water. Cover – the precious essential oils will not evaporate – and strain after 15 minutes. You can also make herbal tea with several herbs at once, in which case mix equal amounts of tea leaves and use 1 tablespoon of each to make a single serving.
Acacia (Robinia pseudoacacia)
The decoction made from the acacia flower is an excellent cough suppressant, antispasmodic and sedative. It has expectorant effects for dry coughs and expectorant effects for coughs with a hacking cough.
Recommended dosage: for coughs, 2 cups per day for 1-2 weeks. Drink in the morning and evening, sipping for half an hour.
Celandine (Agrimonia eupatoria)
Used for inflammation of the throat, tonsils, vocal cords, hoarseness.
Recommended dosage: 3-4 cups for 4-5 days. Its bitter taste is not liked by many people, in which case it should be used in a mixture.
Basil (Ocimum basilicum L.)
The tea made from it is an excellent cough suppressant, but it can also be used for throat expectoration and nasal congestion.
Recommended dosage: three times a day, preferably before meals.
Pregnant women should only drink it in spice quantities.
Nettle (Urtica dioica)
Nettle tea contains a number of vitamins and minerals and also has antipyretic properties.
Recommended intake: 3 cups per day, between meals.
Drink for a maximum of 6 weeks, then take a break.
Not recommended for children under 12 years.
Licorice (Glycyrrhiza)
Relieves stubborn coughs, can be used as an expectorant and mucolytic.
Recommended dosage: 2 doses per day.
Patients with high blood pressure should not use.
Higher doses may cause vomiting, diarrhoea.
Black elderberry (Sambucus nigra)
Elderflower tea is used for colds, fevers, upper respiratory symptoms, bronchitis, as a diaphoretic, expectorant and immune system stimulant. It can also be inhaled for nasal congestion and coughs.
Directions: take hot, 2-3 cups a day before meals.
Ginger (Zingiber)
Ginger tea reduces sore throat and cough and relieves respiratory diseases. Prepare it in the same way as the tea infusions: grate the amount of the plant equivalent to the fingernail of your pinky.
Recommended dosage: 3 doses per day. Flavoured with honey or lemon, it is an excellent immune booster.
Linden (Tilia) (flower)
The best known herb for colds: recommended for sweating and coughs.
Recommended dosage: 3 cups per day.
If you experience increased palpitations, do not drink the tea.
Due to its mild estrogen content, it is not recommended for prolonged use.
Icelandic lichen (Cetraria islandica)
It is particularly recommended for dry coughs and the onset of flu infection. It also has antiseptic properties that prevent pathogens from multiplying.
Recommended intake: three times a day
Hyssop (Hyssopus)
Its tea contains a camphor-type component and is recommended for cough relief and expectoration.
Dosage: 2-3 cups per day. It is most effective when consumed on an empty stomach and warm.
Do not give to children under 6 years of age.
Do not use in people with high blood pressure.
Thyme (Thymus vulgaris)
Very good antiseptic and immune booster. In addition to its cough suppressant, expectorant and expectorant effects, it also reduces bronchitis and migraine complaints. Inhalation is recommended for nasal congestion.
Recommended dosage: 3 cups per day.
For sore throats, drink lukewarm.
It should be avoided during pregnancy.
Lanceolate Plantain (Plantago lanceolata)
Used to relieve coughs and bronchitis: its active ingredients coat the mucous membrane of the throat, relieving inflammation and relieving coughing spasms. Excellent bactericidal.
Dosage: 2-3 cups per day. The treatment is more effective if gargled with the tea.
Marjoram (Origanum majorana)
Its tea is cough suppressant, antibacterial, protects against viral infections.
Recommended dosage: 2 cups per day.
Use with high blood pressure requires close attention.
Oregano (Origanum vulgare)
Recommended for respiratory disorders, nasal congestion, sore throat, acute bronchitis and hoarseness.
Recommended dosage: 2-3 cups per day.
For sore throat, do not drink warm!
Medical Lungwort (Pulmonaria officinalis)
Its active substances can be used to treat various respiratory diseases. It can be helpful in cases of breathing difficulties, as an adjunct treatment for pleurisy, and for laryngitis and pharyngitis. Folk medicine has also used it against TB.
Recommended dosage: 2-3 cups per day.
Verbascum (Verbascum)
It is recommended for coughs, sore throat, tracheitis, and also has a diaphoretic effect.
Recommended dosage: 2-3 times a day.
Marrub (Marrubium vulgare)
An excellent cough suppressant and expectorant herb, which may also be effective in the treatment of bronchitis.
Recommended dosage: 3-4 cups per day.
Do not use during pregnancy or breastfeeding.
Do not use in people with stomach and duodenal ulcers.
Tarragon (Artemisia dracunculus)
It can be an effective remedy for colds, earache and sinusitis.
Recommended dosage.
Long-term, cure use is contraindicated.
Horseradish (Armoracia rusticana)
Its active ingredients cleanse the airways, reduce inflammation and dissolve phlegm. It is also known to have antibacterial effects.
Recommended dosage: 2 cups per day. Drink hot! It can be gargled at a warm temperature for sore throats.
Do not use in pregnant women or people with intestinal diseases.
Sage (Salvia officinalis)
The tea made from it is good against coughs and hoarseness, but it is also suitable for curing various respiratory diseases, colds, sore throat and tonsillitis, and for sweating.
Recommended dosage: before meals, 3 cups per day.
It is not recommended during pregnancy, breastfeeding or for children.
Overdosing causes stomach upset, so if you experience this, reduce the amount or stop the treatment.
Do not use if you have low blood pressure.