Tea and the immune system
Tea is great for your immune system, high in antioxidants, and a great source of hydration. Many types of tea also have antiviral and antibacterial properties that can help to prevent you from getting sick. If you’re afraid you’ve already caught a bug, tea can also help to soothe your body and ease symptoms while you recover.
While tea is full of health benefits, it isn’t a replacement for professional medical treatment if you think you might be sick. You should always seek the help of a medical professional if you think you’re suffering from a serious illness. That said, tea has been used in herbal medicine to treat minor illnesses for hundreds of years - and recent studies back up tea’s panacea status with scientific evidence. These are a few of the teas that are especially effective when it comes to boosting your immune system’s defenses and improving overall health:
1. Turmeric teas
Turmeric is a bright orange root with a slightly bitter flavor that is related to ginger and often used in Indian cuisine. Turmeric contains a compound known as curcumin, which contains antimicrobial properties and can help to ward off illness.
Our turmeric teas
2. Ginger teas
Like turmeric, ginger also contains antimicrobial properties that can help to boost your immune system and keep you safe and healthy. Ginger imparts a slightly sweet, slightly spicy flavor to tea blends, and is a popular ingredient in both caffeinated and herbal teas.
Our ginger teas
- Masala Chai Black Tea
- Solstice Spice Black Tea
- Linda’s Lemon Ginger Green Tea
- Atomic Gold Herbal Tea
- Sing Your Song Herbal Tea
- Rooibos Chai Herbal Tea
3. Licorice root teas
Licorice root imparts a subtle sweetness to any tea its added to. Used in Chinese herbal medicine for hundreds of years, licorice root has a wealth of health benefits, including antiviral and antimicrobial properties that can help to boost your immune system and keep you from getting sick. Licorice root should only be consumed in moderation, so be sure to limit yourself to only a few cups of tea with licorice root per day.
Our licorice root teas
4. Peppermint teas
Peppermint is another popular herbal tea that can be consumed on its own or as an ingredient in both caffeinated and herbal blends. Peppermint is cool, minty, and soothing - the perfect thing when you’re feeling under the weather. Studies have shown that peppermint has antimicrobial and antiviral properties that can help ward off illness, and it’s also high in antioxidants along with a variety of other health benefits.
Our peppermint teas
- Lemon Mint Menage Black Tea
- Peppermint Herbal Tea
- Alice’s Peppermint Party Herbal Tea
- Sing Your Song Herbal Tea
- Lavender Mint Herbal Tea
- Chocolate Mint Rooibos Herbal Tea
5. Chamomile teas
Chamomile has been used as a component of herbal medicine for centuries to help boost the immune system, soothe symptoms of the common cold, and aid in rest and relaxation. While studies concerning chamomile’s many benefits are still ongoing, recent research indicates that chamomile may contain antibacterial properties that can help to ward off illness and keep your immune system in tip-top shape. Chamomile can be consumed on its own for a mild, floral tea that goes great with a dollop of honey, and it’s also a popular ingredient in a variety of herbal blends.
Our chamomile teas
6. Lemongrass teas
Lemongrass is a common ingredient in a variety of tea blends that has a pleasant citrus flavor. Recent studies have shown that lemongrass has antibacterial properties that can help to protect the body against illness. Lemongrass is also high in antioxidants and can help to reduce inflammation.
Our lemongrass teas
- Sing Your Song Herbal Tea
- 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
7. Hibiscus teas
Teas that include hibiscus contain antibacterial and antimicrobial properties that can help to ward off illness and promote overall health. Hibiscus also has many other health benefits, including high levels of iron, antioxidants, and Vitamin C.
Our hibiscus teas
- Hibiscus Herbal Tea
- Apples to Oranges Herbal Tea
- Blueberry Pomegranate Herbal Tea
- Raspberry Lemonade Herbal Tea
- Chocolate Strawberry Herbal Tea
- Mulled Wine Fruit Blend Herbal Tea
- Rose Petal Raspberry Herbal Tea
8. Black tea
Black tea contains catechins with antiviral properties that can help to keep you from getting sick. Like other types of tea made from the camellia sinensis plant, black tea is high in antioxidants and has a variety of other health benefits, like soothing inflammation and boosting heart health.
Our black teas
9. Green tea
Green tea is made out of the same tea plant that black tea and other types of caffeinated tea are produced from. Unlike other types of tea, green tea is either steamed or pan-fired soon after harvest in order to halt the oxidation process, which preserves the green color of the tea leaves and may also result in increased levels of beneficial compounds like antioxidants and catechins. Studies show that the catechins present in green tea can help to ward off the flu and the common cold.
Our green teas
What is the healthiest kind of tea?
Many of our customers who are drawn to tea for its unique health benefits ask us what the healthiest type of tea is. Since different herbal and “true” teas contain different medicinal benefits, it’s hard to say just what type of tea is best for an individual. Many teas are high in antioxidants, and often contain other beneficial properties, like boosting the immune system, aiding digestion, reducing inflammation, and increasing energy. Herbs like ginger, turmeric, peppermint, and hibiscus are also full of healthful properties. No matter what kind of tea you drink, tea is always going to be a tasty, healthy alternative to coffee, soda, alcoholic beverages, and other drinks.
Some studies suggest that green tea may contain even more antioxidants than other types of tea. While green tea is certainly high in antioxidants, we find that the best and “healthiest” tea for you is one that you will make often and enjoy drinking. Whether that means green tea, a frothy bowl of matcha, black tea with a little milk and honey, iced tea, herbal tea, or any other kind of tea, you’ll be sure to reap the rewards of incorporating tea into your lifestyle.
Using tea to boost your immune system
A cup of tea can be a great way to boost your body’s defenses in order to keep from getting sick. Many types of tea have antiviral, antimicrobial, and immune-boosting properties that can help to keep you in tip-top shape. Tea has been used as a component in herbal medicine for hundreds of years in order to ward off illness and soothe the symptoms of colds and sore throats.
That said, tea isn’t a replacement for proper medical treatment if you think you might be getting sick. While tea can help to ward off illnesses and soothe symptoms when you’re feeling under the weather, you should always check with your doctor and if you’re seriously sick.
