Is There a ‘Best’ Tea to Treat Colds?

1. Lemon tea

Drinking lemon tea, or squeezing lemon into another kind of herbal tea, is a home remedy that people have been using for decades. Despite its popularity, most of the evidence supporting the use of lemon tea for sore throats is anecdotal.

That said, lemons are a citrus fruit, meaning they contain vitamin C. Vitamin C is an important nutrient for your body when you’re fighting a cold or virus.

2. Elderberry tea

Elderberry is a dark purple berry native to Europe. Many people believe that elderberry extract can help you recover more quickly from infections like flu and the common cold. Some research does support this use of elderberry.

The most common form of elderberry, black elder, has been found to have antiviral and antimicrobial properties.Porter RS, et al. (2017). A review of the antiviral properties of black elder (Sambucus nigra L.) products. DOI:
10.1002/ptr.5782 Several studies have shown that elderberry is effective in reducing the duration of the flu, but there aren’t specific studies into the use of elderberry tea to treat colds.

3. Echinacea tea

Echinacea is a popular herb that comes from a plant called the purple coneflower. There’s a lot of conflicting research about the effect of echinacea tea on colds. Some studies suggest that echinacea stimulates immune activity to shorten bacterial infections and viruses. Like green tea, echinacea is high in antioxidants.

A small study from 2000 indicated that drinking echinacea tea could reduce the duration of upper respiratory conditions as well as the flu.Lindenmuth GF, et al. (2000). The efficacy of echinacea compound herbal tea preparation on the severity and duration of upper respiratory and flu symptoms: A randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled study. DOI:
10.1089/10755530050120691 But at least one review points out that the health benefits of echinacea have yet to be proven.Barrett B. (2004). Medicinal properties of echinacea: A clinical review. DOI:
10.1078/094471103321648692

4. Green tea

Green tea is popular all over the world for its many purported health benefits. A review of the medical literature on green tea points out its high antioxidant content.Chacko SM, et al. (2010). Beneficial effects of green tea: A literature review. DOI:
10.1186/1749-8546-5-13 This antioxidant activity helps support your body when it’s under attack by environmental factors or by an intruding infection. Researchers have concluded that green tea provides immune support and helps encourage a healthy metabolism, too.

As far as green tea and colds, more research is needed. While green tea might give you an energy boost while your body is fighting a cold, we don’t know enough to say whether or not it will shorten your cold’s duration.

5. Herbal tea with honey

Herbal teas can be made out of dried fruits, spices, or herbs. Herbal teas are naturally decaffeinated, so they won’t dehydrate you. They often carry a sweet flavor and soothing scent. They taste especially good with a natural sweetener, like honey. Chamomile tea and peppermint tea have long been a favorite of people recovering from the common cold. Keep in mind that chamomile tea is not recommended if you’re pregnant.

Honey can help suppress a cough when you have the common cold. In fact, honey is now recommended as a cough suppressant treatment for children over the age of 1.Goldman R, et al. (2011). Treating cough and cold: Guidance for caregivers of children and youth. DOI:
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23115499 This is due to a small study that showed honey was superior to a placebo for children with acute upper respiratory infections.Paul IM, et al. (2007). Effect of honey, dextromethorphan, and no treatment on nocturnal cough and sleep quality for coughing children and their parents. DOI:
10.1001/archpedi.161.12.1140

Stirring a bit of honey into your favorite herbal tea may loosen phlegm, soothe pain and soreness, and suppress a cough.

Other home remedies

There are plenty of other home remedies you can try while you recover from a cold or a sore throat.

• Staying hydrated is essential for your health, even when you’re not fighting a cold. Aim for 8 to 10 glasses of water or other non-caffeinated fluids while you rest and recover from the common cold.
• Zinc supplements may work to reduce the amount of time you’re sick, especially if you can take them within 24 hours of your symptoms appearing.Goldman R, et al. (2011). Treating cough and cold: Guidance for caregivers of children and youth. DOI: ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23115499
• Over-the-counter medications, such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen, may help reduce headache, aching joints, and fever symptoms from a cold.
• Keep cough drops or throat lozenges handy. These help because they encourage your mouth to make saliva, which keeps your throat moist and eases soreness.

When to see a doctor

It can take some time for a cold to clear up. Most cold are caused by viruses, which means that there’s not much your doctor can offer you besides over-the-counter medication for symptom relief.

However, if your cold symptoms persist for more than 3 weeks, or if you notice your symptoms becoming more severe after 10 days, plan to see your doctor.

A cold that goes on for some time can be an indication of a bacterial infection that needs medical treatment.

Symptoms to look for include:

• pressure or pain around your forehead
• colored nasal discharge (brown, green, or blood-tinged)
• fever of 101 degrees or higher that persists for more than 24 hours
• sweating, shaking, or chills
• difficulty swallowing
• a deep, barking cough
• difficulty breathing

The bottom line

No scientific research points to one type of tea to drink when you have a cold. But in general, drinking herbal tea when you’re not feeling well is a good idea.

Staying hydrated with lots of decaffeinated drinks can help you recover. Just inhaling the steam from a warm beverage in your hand might help loosen congestion, and help you feel more rested.