What tea do you drink when you have a cold?
Somehow this late June sneezy cold I have is putting me off my usual black teas, especially the ones that taste better with milk. Sure, I’ll try some ginger-lemon-honey treatments, but are there any BLACK teas you find you appreciate when you’re sick? I’m curious if there is something out there that would seem meh if I were healthy, but particularly nice and salubrious now.
Chai Tea!
I have done this for years, whenever I start to feel puny, I drink Chai Tea.
All those spices in there kick a cold or nausea right out!
Herbals. Chamomile and licorice root for the soothing of sore throats. Mint because with a stuffed nose that has a sharp enough taste to still taste right.
Tea proper, I barely touch when ill. It tastes funny.
ETA: Ugh sorry, I didn’t read your post properly. I would probably mix some black leaves into the above if I was feeling in the mood for it, but then I would just use one that I wouldn’t normally drink.
I would stay away from Lapsang Souchong or most Yunnans though. They’re too prickly on an irritated throat.
I drink Teaopia’s Peppermint, I usually double or even triple the amount of leaves to get the maximum effect. That is all I drink when I’m sick. It clears my sinuses, & soothes my throat.
Although I did buy Teaopia’s Cold Relief last week so I will try that next time I get sick.
UGH Yea I did as above & didn’t completely read your post DUH!
Peppermint, as well, along with Tazo Refresh when I can find it. The tarragon is a wonderful head-clearer.
Rishi’s Pu-erh Ginger, might as well be a black since it’s a pretty mild/starter pu-erh. The ginger is very strong and I find I like it better when I’m feeling sick or it’s a really rainy day.
“Breathe Deep” by Traditional Medicinals is excellent during a cold, and really clears up stuffy nasal passages so you can get a good nights rest ;-)
Common cold as you know cannot be cured. It has to undergo a period of 7 days for the virus to run its course and die eventually. All you can get is temporary relief from the symptoms of cold.
Ginger is the best way to treat cold, it is held in high regard in Ayurveda(Ancient Indian Medicine System). If you do not have fresh ginger, you can substitute it with ground ginger powder(you can get from any store)
Please try this if you have black tea (especially Darjeeling or assam),
1. Bring fresh water to a boil
2. Add fresh crushed ginger to the boiling water. Boil for a minute.
3. Add black tea to the boiling ginger water.
4. Steep for 2-3 mins (Not more than that, as the tea gets bitter and the flavor will be lost)
5. Strain the brew into a cup. Let it cool for a couple of minutes.
6. Do not add, lemon and honey when the tea is piping hot. It changes the flavor of the tea.
7. Add a dash of lemon and honey, according to your taste.
If you have mint leaves, then crush mint leaves with your hand and then add it, just before you drink. This will add slight mint flavor to the brew and will make sure that flavors of all the ingredients are intact.
You will actually enjoy your tea even during this phase.
The experience of preparing your own tea and consuming it, is unique and a highly enjoyable.
Please let me know if this helped.
Get well soon :)
I favor good strong assams when I’m stuffy. My very favorite is my Assam Margherita from ESPEmporium.
Alas, now my caffeine restriction rules it out for me to drink a lot of.
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