Ginger, sage, and co. Warm you from the inside and provide valuable nutrients for the cold season. These ten teas are sure to strengthen your defenses and immune system.
Especially in the colder seasons, a cup of tea can be a real blessing: the smell, warmth, and gentle taste make you quickly forget the cold and gloomy thoughts.
But not only that: tea can also be a real booster for the immune system and thus protect against colds.
Hot liquids are delicious because they promote blood circulation and expectorant effect. In transitional periods such as autumn and spring, you can particularly benefit from the effects of immune-boosting hot drinks.
For the preparation, you need a tea strainer, a teacup with an integrated filter, or a teapot with a strainer insert so that the loose tea leaves are caught and held well.
Here Are Ten Types Of Tea That Will Boost Your Immune System
Ginger
Ginger is a real all-rounder. The antioxidants it contains support the defense against free radicals and thus strengthens your immune system.
But even if you’ve already caught a cold, ginger tea can help. The yellow tuber clears the respiratory tract and has an expectorant effect. The aromatic substances also heat the body from the inside and stimulate blood circulation.
Incidentally, the valuable ingredients are located directly under the skin – so make sure you peel the ginger as thinly as possible or, ideally, not at all – it is best to use organic ginger for this.
The dream combination for colds: ginger with turmeric. Add a few pieces of turmeric root to the ginger tea. The orange root also has an anti-inflammatory and expectorant effect and tastes very mild compared to ginger.
Chamomile
Chamomile primarily has a calming and anti-inflammatory effect. If you already have a cold, you can inhale the dried flowers to relieve inflammation in the airways.
But chamomile tea is also a good choice as a preventive measure: the anti-inflammatory properties inhibit the growth of bacteria in the body and can thus prevent diseases and activate the immune system.
Only the dried flowers of chamomile should be used when brewing to exploit the full effect.
Sage
Sage tea has natural healing properties. The essential oils, tannins, and bitter substances contain a disinfecting and anti-inflammatory effect. Especially for coughs, sore throats, or hoarseness, sage is a tried and tested remedy for effectively dissolving phlegm.
At the same time, the medicinal plant strengthens the immune system and is therefore also an ideal preventive measure. A significant side effect: Even minor inflammations in the mouth or slight digestive problems can be alleviated by sage.
If you don’t like the distinctive, slightly bitter taste, you can sweeten sage tea with a bit of honey or suck it like a candy.
Rosehip
The bright red berries are packed with vitamin C. This strengthens the immune system and helps to absorb iron better.
The power fruit helps with spring tiredness and stimulates the formation of new immune cells. At the same time, the contained pectin’s have a detoxifying effect.
The tea is made from dried peel or seeds. Hibiscus flowers are often added to rosehip tea for intense coloring and a pleasant taste. This combination also supports the healing effect of the rosehip.
Ginseng
In Asia, ginseng symbolizes strength, health, and long life. The healing plant contains numerous minerals and valuable amino acids. Ginsenosides also have an anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic effect and strengthen the immune system.
The nutrient-rich root is primarily used in medicine and brewed as tea making the body more resistant to bacteria, stress, and other harmful influences. Ginseng tea also stimulates the metabolism and helps against exhaustion.
Green Tea
Green tea has been hyped for its health benefits for years. Combining vitamins C, E, and minerals such as zinc stimulates the immune system and relieves cold symptoms.
The contained amino acid L-theanine also has a stress-relieving and relaxing effect.
Necessary for the preparation of green tea: depending on the type, the optimal water temperature is 60 to 90 degrees – otherwise, the nutrient-rich hot drink tastes bitter.
The brewing times for green tea are often shorter than for other varieties.
Lapacho
The radiant splendor of the flowers of the Lapacho tree can be admired above all in Central and South America.
The bark is particularly popular as a health booster: An infusion as tea has anti-inflammatory effects and contains valuable minerals such as calcium and iron. Even the Incas attributed a healing effect to the tropical tree.
The immune-boosting effect in Lapacho tea comes primarily from Lapachol, which is found in the tree’s inner bark. The trees do not have to be felled for the harvest: the bark grows back without damaging the tree.
Positive side effect: Lapacho tea stimulates the metabolism and has a detoxifying effect.
Elderberry
Elderflower has a diaphoretic and antipyretic effect. As a juice or warm tea, the plant pigments help to fight free radicals. This protects against cell damage and strengthens the immune system. The essential oils in elderflower tea relieve cold symptoms and expectorant effects.
The gentle scent also has a stress-relieving effect and makes it easier to fall asleep and sleep through the night. And since, according to a study, getting enough sleep has a positive effect on the immune system, elderflower tea helps in two ways.
Sea Buckthorn
Those who want to strengthen their immune system naturally are on the safe side with these bright berries. Sea buckthorn is full of vitamins – above all, the immune booster vitamin C.
But vitamin B12, A, and K also ensure the vitalizing effect of sea buckthorn tea. Since the small berries have a very sour taste, they are often found in tea blends, such as orange or herbs.
Echinacea
Coneflower tea is extracted from the echinacea herb and supports the body’s defenses with a combination of essential oils and vitamins.
As a medicinal plant, it was already used by the natives of North America to treat respiratory problems and injuries.
In this country, the radiant flowers of the Echinacea are often found as ornamental plants in gardens or parks.
Echinacea tea works best preventively: the plant stimulates the production of white blood cells and thus supports the immune system.
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