Ultimate Virus Cold Remedy Tea from Your Garden
Table of Contents
The weather is changing, and the viruses are upon us. With stuffy noses, lung congestion, and foggy headaches, symptoms affect our day-to-day. Luckily for us, when we let our food be our medicine, we can find relief from common plants we grow in the garden. This cold remedy tea contains vitamin-rich plants and antiviral components for a soothing relief.
Disclaimer: This information is not to be used for medical advice. Please consult a physician for medical issues. Sources for the content in this article are listed at the end of the article.
Note: This article contains affiliate links that contributes to the writer a small financial commission for each purchase. You can support this site by purchasing from the links provided! Read more about our affiliate program in our Privacy Policy.
Ingredients
Most of these ingredients can be found right in your own backyard, and the rest of them can easily be foraged from pesticide-free locations such as mountain trails. These ingredients grow in most USDA zones, and if you haven’t already added them to your garden, I highly suggest you do!
Lemon Balm
Melissa officinalis
Antiviral and mildly sedative, this mint-family plant has a slight citrus taste calming effect. To give your immune system the support it needs, stress-relief is vital in healing.[1]Attenuation of laboratory-induced stress in humans after acute administration of Melissa officinalis (Lemon Balm)[2]Lemon Balm – Uses, Side Effects, and More
Lemon balm grows well in the ground and needs little maintenance once established. As an herb, this plant thrives when top few leaves are pinched off where new leaves begin to bud. Harvest less than one-third of the leaves at a time and allow them to dry for storage, or include them fresh in your tea.
Mint
Mentha L.
Flavorful and aromatic, mint contains menthol, a common ingredient in cough drops. Mint is calming, soothing, and reduces inflammation (with rosmarinic acid), which is important for clearing out that pesky mucous. [3]Medical News Today: Mint Benefits
Growing mint is easy, but beware, as this plant spreads. Plant in a container and ensure it receives water regularly. Even if the plant starts to die, a quick water will ensure it comes back with vengeance! Pinch off the top few leaves every few days when it begins to grow to promote a fuller growth. Harvest up to a third at a time and allow to dry for long-storage, or add fresh into tea.
Yarrow
Achillea millefolium
One of our favorite herbs for healing, yarrow is antiviral and anti-inflammatory, increases blood flow, and reduces fevers. This is a powerful herb with strong volatile oils, and should be used sparingly. However, it’s perfect for combatting colds and viruses. With a strong herbal taste and aroma, yarrow is highly compatible with the menthol in mint and soothes cold symptoms well.
Yarrow grows easily and fast, is drought-tolerant and beneficial to pollinators. All aerial parts can be used in tea (flowers and leaves are preferred). Yarrow’s soft velvety leaves and white or yellow crowns are aesthetically complementary in the garden. Harvest and dry for storage or use fresh in tea immediately.
Elderflower
Sambucus nigra
Early spring buds from the elder berry bush, elderflowers are commonly used for colds and flus. Helpful in reducing nasal and sinus inflammation, this delicate flower is perfect for tea.[4]Web MD Elderflower Uses
Elderflowers are sweet and subtle. Ensure you are harvesting from the elder berry bush, as there are a few dangerous lookalikes, such as poison hemlock, which has purple spots on the stem. Plant an elder berry bush in your garden to guarantee you’re harvesting the right plants. When harvesting flowers, note that seeds, stems, leaves, and roots all contain poisonous components[5]Cyanogenic Glycoside Analysis in American Elderberry, and only the flowers should be harvested (and harvested properly!).
Rose Hips
Rosa ssp.
Many varieties of roses are edible, and several produce fleshy rose hips in the autumn. Rose hips come from the bulbous part directly below the petals. When ripened, they turn red-orange and can be harvested, dried, or eaten fresh. Rose hips are semi-sweet and high in Vitamin C, which kills microbes and supports barriers against pathogens.[6]Vitamin C and Immune Function
Harvest your rose hips on plants that are not sprayed with pesticides and are away from roadways. When dried, rose hips grow hard, so split them in half while still fleshy and allow them to dry. Rose hips can be crushed with a mortar and pestle before use in tea to increase their release of helpful components in the hot water.
Chamomile
Matricaria chamomilla
Delicate and sweet, chamomile is mildly tranquilizing and antispasmodic, which reduces harsh coughing. Chamomile adds a sweetness to the tea that compliments the lemon balm, and the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry has found that chamomile fights infection.[7]Chamomile Tea May Fight Colds, Menstrual Cramps
Chamomile is a self-seeding annual, and very finicky if the flowers are not harvested continuously. I often am able to harvest a quart-sized jar full of these fragrant flower heads before my plant gives up for the summer. Chamomile is readily available for purchase from any grocery store, or in bulk from a variety of sources.
Common Mallow or Marsh Mallow
Malva neglecta (common mallow) or Althaea officinalis (marsh mallow)
Seen as a common weed, and often pulled without care for its benefits, the mallows are mildly mucilaginous, which soothes sore throats, and can relieve inflammation.[8]Everything You Need to Know About Marshmallow Root All parts of the plant are edible and mucilaginous, but flowers, leaves, and roots do best in tea. I prefer using dried leaves in tea and powder my dried roots for culinary uses. The cheese-like buttons and delicate pink-white flowers go well in salads.
Common mallow grows throughout my yard, and I harvest the plant from my garden where I know my pets have not relieved their bladders. Roots can be harvested in autumn when the plant focuses its energy in building up its root, and the greens can be chopped off and harvested at any time.
Honey
Honey is a well-known natural sweetener with soothing benefits and microbial properties. Honey is also known to alleviate symptoms of upper respiratory tract infections such as coughing and sore throats.[9]Effectiveness of honey for symptomatic relief in upper respiratory tract infections: a systematic review and meta-analysis I like using dandelion-infused honey for that extra probiotic boost.
Honey can be added to tea while the water is still hot, but not boiling. It should be stirred in until dissolved. The sweetness of honey compliments the lemon balm in this tea blend, and the soothing properties cannot be understated. I get my honey from local beekeepers, and I prefer raw honey, which is available in my area. Note that children under the age of 1 should never have honey, as they are at risk for honey-related botulism.
Preparing the Tea
When blending my herbs, I use an equal ratio between dried ingredients. I then prepare one to two tablespoons of the blend, steeped in 16 ounces of water at 185 degrees Fahrenheit. I add in a tablespoon of honey and stir. Allow the tea to sit for about ten minutes to ensure volatile oils and components are adequately extracted in the hot water. Depending on taste preferences, you may wish to incorporate more mint, less lemon balm or yarrow, or perhaps a smaller amount of the bitter mallow.
Prepare this tea at least three times per day while symptoms persist, up to seven days. Allow the aromatic vapors to loosen mucous in the throat and nose. Enjoy the soothing tea, and be whole!
References
