9 best teas to drink when sick
Ever heard the phrase ‘a cup of tea fixes everything?’, we all know it’s not entirely true. However, if you’re feeling under the weather, a cup of tea could benefit you and speed up your recovery process.
Not only can tea help aid you to full health, but a cup of tea also makes up some of your daily water intake.
The options of different teas out there are endless, which evokes the question ‘which tea should I take?’.
Without further ado, let’s dive into the nine best teas to choose from when you’re feeling sick!
Herbal Teas
Naturally caffeine-free, herbals teas are a blend of various herbs, edible plants, and spices.
Herbal teas have been a popular part of Chinese medicine dating back thousands of years.
Nowadays, there are so many different varieties to choose from it’s easy to get overwhelmed.
1. Peppermint Tea
A popular choice, peppermint tea is well-loved for both its flavor and its medicinal properties.
Some of which include:
- Boost energy levels
- Fight bacterial infections
- Help get a better night sleep
- Aiding digestion
However, peppermint tea is best known for helping reduce nausea symptoms as studies show that peppermint can help to relax the stomach.
In fact, peppermint can have such a powerful effect on the body that research has found it can help reduce symptoms of IBS!
2. Ginger Tea
A hot mug of ginger tea is the perfect way to warm yourself up in the winter, but if you’re not feeling well, it can help with that too!
The term 'mighty' is one way to describe gInger as it has many health benefits. One of these benefits being a natural way to help relieve nausea.
If you’re suffering from morning sickness, ginger tea is an effective, natural way to help reduce symptoms. Ginger tea is also well suited for menstrual cramps, aches and pains, and cold hands and feet.
If you’re not a fan of the heat from ginger, try adding a squeeze of lemon and a dash of honey to sweeten things up.
3. Chamomile Tea
Consuming chamomile tea while sick has been in practice for centuries. The steam of chamomile extract can be useful in relieving symptoms of the common cold.
Sleep is essential in helping your body recover while sick, but at the same time, being sick can also make it difficult to drift off.
The components of the chamomile flower can be a natural way to induce sleep and help you on the road to recovery.
4. Lemon Tea
Lemons contain an ample amount of vitamin C, a powerful antioxidant and one of the critical vitamins that help maintain a healthy body.
Studies have shown that when vitamin C is present in the diet, there is a decrease in the severity and duration of a cold.
If you’re looking for an alternative to lemon tea, a mug of hot water and a squeeze of lemon can be just as effective.
5. Echinacea Tea
The echinacea flower is a member of the daisy family, and its use as a herbal remedy originates back hundreds of years by Native American tribes.
A tea that is on the sweeter, floral side, research reveals that Echinacea tea can not only treat but may also help prevent the common cold and improve our resistance to viruses.
6. Rosehip Tea
Another tea that contains high levels of vitamin C, rosehip, is a fruit from a rose plant.
While rosehip can help the body fight the common cold, it may have some additional benefits that include:
- Helping the immune system
- Prevent skin from prematurely aging
- Help protect against heart disease
If you’re looking for a bit of color in a tea that can also improve your health, give rosehip tea a go!
True Teas
True teas begin with a plant called Camellia sinensis, better known as the ‘tea plant.’
You’re likely familiar with the traditional cup of black tea, typically known as ‘breakfast tea.’ Best enjoyed with a splash of half and half, maybe a teaspoon of sugar, and if you’re feeling indulgent, a cookie or two on the side.
Breakfast tea itself contains antioxidants, but its cousins, green, matcha, and white tea, are where you’ll find the most goodness that benefits your health!
7. Green Tea
Green tea is earthy in taste and, for this reason, often comes in a variety of flavors, so there is something for everyone.
Some popular flavors include:
- Lemon
- Honey
- Peppermint
- Ginger
- Turmeric
The options are endless!
Another tea that helps fight the common cold due to its antioxidant properties, it can also help enhance your overall health. It contains both caffeine and L-theanine, which help you to feel alert, focused, and calm.
However, be aware that while green tea is excellent for helping alleviate sickness feelings, this is only if the stomach isn’t empty.
8. Matcha Tea
While matcha is often confused with green tea, it’s a more potent version, and it's quite different in the way it looks, tastes, and the preparation of it. Matcha is also available in a powder form rather than a traditional teabag.
Matcha is made purely from green tea leaves, meaning it’s highly concentrated, and a little goes a long way.
If you lack energy from feeling poorly, the caffeine in matcha tea will give you an energy boost while its antioxidant properties will help fight symptoms of cold.
It has a much earthier taste than green tea, so you may want to hold your nose and gulp it down as quickly as you can! Another option is to make a matcha tea latte by adding some heated nut milk and a dash of honey.
9. White Tea
If you can’t get on board with flavored teas, then white tea may be the one for you.
The name ‘white tea’ shouldn’t be confused with the actual color of the tea. Instead, it comes from the white hairs that cover the tea plant’s buds when they are picked.
Of all the true teas, white tea goes through the most minimum process and therefore is one of the most natural remedies for helping soothe an upset stomach.
One thing to be mindful of when brewing white tea is to avoid using boiling water! The water should be hot, but not boiling as this can damage the tea leaves.
Wrapping up
True and herbal teas are a low risk but highly beneficial way to get some extra nourishment into your body.
Next time you’re feeling under the weather, swap your breakfast tea for one of the above. Not only will these teas help boost how you’re feeling, they don’t taste half bad either!
