Our top picks for teas for colds and flus
Teas featuring ingredients like peppermint, chamomile, ginger, and more are all great for helping soothe sniffles, sore throats, and other cold symptoms.
1. Peppermint tea
Peppermint is a soothing, caffeine-free herb that can help to fight the symptoms of a cold and have you feeling better in no time. In particular, peppermint can help to soothe your throat and promote better rest and relaxation. This herb also has antiviral properties, and can help to relieve pain, reduce inflammation, and clear congestion. Peppermint has a pleasantly cool, minty taste, and when served as a hot tea can help to warm you you from the inside out.
Our pick: Lavender Mint Herbal Tea
One of our most popular herbal teas, Lavender Mint is a simple but satisfying herbal blend. Calming lavender blossoms complement cooling peppermint for a fresh, lightly floral cup that tastes great hot and makes a superb iced tea.
Other peppermint teas
- Mint Tea Trio
- Lemon Mint Menage Black Tea
- Peppermint Herbal Tea
- Alice’s Peppermint Party Herbal Tea
- Sing Your Song Herbal Tea
- Chocolate Mint Rooibos Herbal Tea
2. Chamomile tea
Chamomile is another herb that’s great for soothing both body and mind, especially when you’re feeling under the weather. Chamomile has been used in herbal medicine for centuries, but also has scientific backing for its medicinal claims, including reducing cold symptoms, boosting the immune system, and reducing inflammation. Chamomile is delicious when enjoyed on its own, but is especially tasty when enjoyed with a dollop of honey for a sweet, soothing cup to treat yourself to when you’re feeling sick.
Our pick: Egyptian Chamomile Herbal Tea
Our Egyptian Chamomile is made from the highest quality chamomile sourced from Egypt. This single-ingredient herbal tea is characterized by large, fragrant chamomile flower heads, and brews up into a lovely gold-colored infusion, with a mellow natural sweetness and notes of straw, honey, and apples.
Other chamomile teas
3. Ginger tea
Ginger helps to fight off cold symptoms due to its anti-inflammatory and anti-nausea properties. Ginger can also reduce symptoms of respiratory illness, and provides a sweet, spicy addition to many different kinds of tea. In addition to fighting colds, ginger also has a wealth of other health properties, and may be beneficial in treating cardiovascular disease, cancer, dementia, and more.
Our pick: Atomic Gold Herbal Tea
Sweet and spicy, warm and soothing, and packed with powerhouse ingredients, Atomic Gold is our most popular herbal tea! This remarkable blend of turmeric, ginger, licorice, lemongrass, and orange has a deep and satisfying flavor and brews up a beautiful bright gold color.
Other ginger teas
- Ginger Tea Trio
- Masala Chai Black Tea
- Solstice Spice Black Tea
- Linda’s Lemon Ginger Green Tea
- Sing Your Song Herbal Tea
- Rooibos Chai Herbal Tea
4. Lemongrass tea
Lemongrass is a light, refreshing citrus herb that’s packed with all kinds of health benefits. Lemongrass can help to keep you happy and healthy thanks to its anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, and anti-microbial properties, and it’s also full of antioxidants and vitamin C. There are a variety of teas with lemongrass in them to choose from, including both caffeinated and herbal options.
Our pick: Sing Your Song Herbal Tea
One of Santa Fe's local opera singers began drinking this tea to help keep her voice in perfect condition, so we've named the blend "Sing Your Song" in her honor. Warming and nourishing, this blend is great for soothing scratchy throats.
Other lemongrass teas
- Atomic Gold Herbal Tea
- Lemon Cream Rooibos Herbal Tea
- Lemon Mint Menage Black Tea
- Linda’s Lemon Ginger Green Tea
- Sunrise Melody Green Tea
- Lively Lemony Mate
5. Hibiscus tea
Sometimes also known as roselle, hibiscus is a bright red herbal tea that's loaded with vitamin C and iron. Hibiscus has been shown to help reduce cold symptoms, and also has a wealth of antioxidants and anti-cancer properties. Hibiscus has a tart flavor similar to cranberry on its own, and is often added to herbal tea blends along with other fruits, herbs, and spices.
Our pick: Blueberry Pomegranate Herbal Tea
Blueberry Pomegranate blends blueberry, pomegranate, apple, and hibiscus for a delightfully fruity, naturally caffeine-free blend. Delicious hot, this also makes an excellent iced tea!
Other hibiscus teas
- Hibiscus Herbal Tea
- Apples to Oranges Herbal Tea
- Raspberry Lemonade Herbal Tea
- Chocolate Strawberry Herbal Tea
- Mulled Wine Fruit Blend Herbal Tea
- Rose Petal Raspberry Herbal Tea
6. Licorice root tea
Licorice imparts a light, lingering sweetness to any tea it’s added to, making it a popular ingredient in caffeinated and herbal blends alike. Licorice has been used in Chinese herbal medicine for centuries, and has been shown to have powerful cold-fighting benefits. This herbal ingredient has antiviral and antimicrobial properties, and to can help to soothe the symptoms of a cold and prevent further illness.
Our pick: Honeybush Hot Cider Herbal Tea
Honeybush is a full-bodied cousin of rooibos with a slightly sweeter taste. This tea combines honeybush with apple, cinnamon, orange peel, and licorice root for a sweet, lightly spiced blend reminiscent of mulled cider.
Other licorice root teas
7. Blueberry tea
Blueberries might be better known as a sweet summertime snack, but they also make a delicious addition to teas and are full of a variety of health benefits. Blueberries are high in antioxidants and vitamin C, and can help to reduce inflammation and soothe the body. These little fruits have been shown to pack a powerful punch in terms of health benefits, and they make for a sweet, fruity cup of tea to sip when you’re coming down with a cold.
Our pick: Green Rooibos with Blossoms Herbal Tea
Green rooibos is unoxidized (not roasted), which means that it's lighter and mellower than traditional rooibos. This flavorful blend combines green rooibos with blueberries, rose petals sunflower petals, and cornflower petals for a light, floral, fruity herbal tea.
Other blueberry teas
8. Tea made from the camellia sinensis plant
In addition to the herbs and flowers listed above, tea itself is full of many beneficial properties that can help to soothe the symptoms of a cold. While many different kinds of hot herbal drinks are colloquially called tea, they’re actually more properly referred to as tisanes or herbal infusions. This is because true tea (the kind of tea we mean when we talk about black, green, white, or oolong tea) is made from a specific plant called camellia sinensis.
Tea from the camellia sinensis plant has a wealth of healthful properties, including high levels of antioxidants and a moderate amount of caffeine. Tea also contains a compound known as l-theanine, which can help to reduce stress and encourage rest and relaxation. Tea also contains catechins that have been shown to give your immune system a boost and help ward off illnesses like colds and the flu.
Our tea collections
- Classic Black Teas
- Flavored Black Teas
- Classic Green Teas
- Flavored Green Teas
- White Teas
- Oolong Teas
- Purple Teas
- Pu-erh Teas
- Matcha
9. Tea with lemon and honey
While not strictly a type of tea in and of itself, tea with lemon and honey is an old standby when it comes to fighting colds and flus. Lemon juice provides an immune-boosting dose of vitamin C, while honey helps to coat the throat and is full of additional soothing, medicinal properties. Even if you’re feeling too ill to eat much, a soothing cup of tea can also help to settle the stomach and warm you from the inside out. Lemon and honey are often added to classic black teas, but can really be added to whatever tea strikes your fancy!
How tea helps fight off colds
When you’re feeling under the weather, tea can be a soothing and medicinal drink that can help to treat cold symptoms, give your immune system a boost, and stay hydrated while you’re sick. No matter what kind of tea you drink, it will be a warming, throat-soothing cup.
Depending on what kind of tea you choose, you’ll also experience a variety of other healthful properties, including antioxidants, l-theanine, and vitamin C. Many kinds of teas have antiviral and antimicrobial properties and can help to provide pain relief and induce calm and relaxation. So if you’re feeling sick, curl up with a cup and reap the many benefits of good tea!
FAQs
Is green tea good for a cold?
Like many types of tea made from the camellia sinensis tea plant, green tea is a good choice if you’re trying to ward off a cold. Green tea contains antioxidants and catechins that can help to boost your immune system.
Is chai tea good for colds?
Chai tea contains several different beneficial ingredients that can help to fight off of a cold, including black tea leaves and ginger.
What herbal tea is best for a cold?
If you’re looking for a caffeine-free tea blend to help ease cold symptoms, check out herbal blends containing peppermint, chamomile, ginger, hibiscus, licorice, and lemongrass.
Is hot tea good for a cold?
If you’re feeling under the weather, a cup of hot tea can help! Hot tea can warm you up if you have the chills, and will also help to keep you hydrated. Many types of hot tea also contain beneficial cold-fighting ingredients like ginger and chamomile.
