Some Helpful Plants and Tips
Rosehip: Often, after you’ve beaten a cold or the flu, your body is exhausted. Once the infection is over, there are plants that promote complete recovery, such as rosehip, which contributes to the recovery of defenses.
Echinacea: Is the protective herb par excellence, especially for recurrent or chronic infections, along with astragalus, which accelerates the formation and speed of defender cells, and Schisandra, which increases the body’s resistance to possible attacks.
Pectoral Herbs: If you have had a cold, pectoral herbs offer you a harmless alternative that, in many cases, will prevent you from having to take a stronger and unnatural medication and even having to go to the doctor. A very hot infusion of elderberry, thyme, or ginger is of great help to combat viral and bacterial attacks.
Basic Additions
Lemon is another basic addition to herbal teas that are used against colds and flu. Squeeze a lemon, heat the juice for a minute and add two teaspoons to the tisane. It is an antiviral and a decongestant. Now, let’s look at the best teas to drink to help with a cold or flu.
The Best Teas to Drink to Help With a Cold or Flu
Elderberry
Planting elderberries (Sambucus nigra) near the farm was once a wise custom due to the medicinal potential of this tree. It stands out for its sudorific and diuretic virtues, very useful to combat flu processes. The flowers from the elderflower plant are usually taken as an infusion combined with plantain, which reduces irritation of the mucous membranes. Two to three hot cups a day are recommended. The drink has a sweet and honeyed taste that many people like.
Ginger
The rhizome of ginger is revealed as a great resource to combat the symptoms of the common cold. It is recommended to fight against coughing spells, muscle pain, headaches, and tenths of fever. Cut a slice of fresh ginger (or 3 g of dry powder), add it to cold water and boil for five minutes. Let it rest and strain. Honey can then be added to tone down the strong and slightly spicy flavor of the ginger.
Hyssop
This plant offers a complete remedy to calm a cough, clear the nose and airways, as it helps to eliminate excessive mucus. Due to its antiseptic effect, it helps if the cold leads to a flu infection. Flowery bouquets of hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis) are mixed in equal parts with mint, at the rate of one tablespoon of the mixture per cup of water. Boil for two minutes and strain. It has a delicate flavor that the mint enhances.
Cowslip
This plant (Primula veris) exerts a balsamic and mucolytic action. The decoction of its root serves to clear the throat and expel mucus. Useful when the person has a cold, with a lot of congestion, sneezing, and even some fever. Not only is the root used, but also its leaves and flowers. As it can be somewhat bland, if you want to give it the flavor, you can add lemon juice.
Mallow
Mallow (Malva sylvestris) is often the best solution for the classic cold that comes on suddenly with severe nasal congestion, itchy throat, and coughing spells, most of the time irritating. It is taken in a simple infusion or with green anise seeds. The ratio is one tablespoon of the mixture per cup that is infused for ten minutes and strained. The drink is a dark color and a herbaceous flavor that the anise manages to sweeten.
Violet
This is one of the best teas to drink to help with a cold or flu. When the cold occurs with a persistent or somewhat explosive cough, the violet flower (Viola odorata) can be an interesting option. It softens the cough and decongests. Its salicylic acid helps relieve pain from “stripping” and the feeling of a heavy head. Its sudorific effect helps lower fever. It is taken as a simple infusion or combined with poppy petals. The ratio is one tablespoon of the mixture per cup. Let it rest for eight minutes.
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