A scratch down the throat, a sniffle, feeling cold, and that all-too-heavy feeling from your body, and feeling the flu coming up? A hot cup of tea is just what your body needs right now. You head to the kitchen and find in your cupboard the stash of tea you’ve accumulated from the various hotels and restaurants, but you need something with a little more zing to perk you up and fight that flu before it gets the best of you!
Table of Contents
Honey Lemon Ginger Tea
The power-packed trio of honey, lemon, and ginger cannot be overemphasized. Since ancient Egyptian times, honey has been used in a variety of ways including medicine. It is high in antioxidants that fight free radicals. Lemon, on the other hand, is rich in Vitamin C and is useful for upping the immune system. Ginger is particularly noteworthy in helping to soothe that scratchy feeling down your throat. So next time you’re feeling feverish, it could be the flu, try this recipe for a truly flu-busting cup of tea.
Ingredients
250ml water, honey, lemon, sliced ginger, and 1 teabag black tea
Materials
Strainer, pot, and cup
Steps
- Step 1: Bring water to boil over fire. When water comes to boil, add sliced ginger and let it simmer for 7 minutes.
- Step 2: Use a strainer to separate the ginger as you drain water into the cup/mug
- Step 3: Add one teabag of Black tea into the cup and let it steep for 5-10 minutes.
- Step 4: Add one tablespoon of honey (or more depending on your desired sweetness level) and squeeze a quarter of lemon onto the cup. Stir and enjoy!
Mango Pomegranate Tea
Many are not aware of the health benefits of pomegranate, but it has been in fact labeled as a super fruit because it is packed with antioxidants that help combat deadly diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and various heart problems. Paired with mango which is high in Vitamin C, this delectable concoction makes for a tropical vibe drink that will boost your immune system and help ward off the flu.
Ingredients
Water, 1 ripe mango sliced into cubes, 1 whole pomegranate (removed from the skin), 1 teabag Earl Grey or passion flower tea
Materials
Strainer, pot, and cup
Steps
- Step 1: Bring water to boil over fire.
- Step 2: Add mangoes and pomegranate into boiling water. Set fire to low and let it simmer for 10 minutes
- Step 3: Use a strainer to separate the fruits as you drain the water into the cup.
- Step 4: Add one teabag of Earl Grey (for daytime drinking) or passion flower (for night time) into the cup and let it steep for 5-10 minutes. Sip and enjoy!
Apple Cinnamon Spice Tea
The taste of autumn now available all-year-round, indulge yourself with the relaxing scent of apple and cinnamon. Long regarded by the Indians for having unique anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, cinnamon has been used extensively to treat a variety of ailments including the flu. Combined with apples that are high in vitamins, this recipe will surely help keep the doctor away!
Ingredients
Water, 1 cinnamon stick, ½ red apple sliced thinly, 1 teaspoon brown sugar, mint tea (1 teaspoon of loose leaves or 1 tea bag)
Materials
Strainer, pot, and cup
Steps
- Step 1: Bring water to boil over fire
- Step 2: Add cinnamon stick, sliced apples, and brown sugar into boiling water. For loose leaves, also add here. Set fire to medium-low heat and continue stirring for at least 15 minutes.
- Step 3: Use a strainer to pour contents into the cup.
- Step 4: For teabag, steep for an additional 5 minutes.
Tarragon Green Tea
Although tarragon is often used as a flavoring for cooking, it also has many health benefits that we need to take advantage of. Studies show that tarragon has antibacterial properties that can help lower inflammation in the body. Green tea, however, the tea base used in this recipe, is high in antioxidants and rich in catechins that can help combat flu-borne viruses.
Ingredients
Water, ¼ cup fresh tarragon leaves, ¼ wedge Lime (optional), 1 teabag green tea
Materials
Pot, strainer, and cup
Steps
- Step 1: Bring water to boil over fire then add tarragon leaves into boiling water. Optional: If you prefer to use loose green tea leaves you can add them here
- Step 2: Set fire to low heat and let it simmer for 10 minutes.
- Step 3: Use a strainer as you pour contents into the cup.
- Step 4: Add one tea bag of green tea into the cup and let it steep for 5 minutes.
- Optional: Depending on your preference, you may squeeze a wedge of lime into the tea.
Orange Breakfast Tea
Citrus fruits such as oranges are known to contain a high amount of Vitamin C which is effective in improving one’s immune system that helps fight off the flu. But what is less known is that English Breakfast Tea and most black teas for that matter contain an incredible amount of catechins that help fight the flu and minimize inflammations in the body. Perfect for fending off any discomfort and symptoms of flu, even better, we all know this contains caffeine, so it will help keep you productive during the day.
Ingredients
Water, 1 whole orange, 1 teabag English Breakfast Tea
Materials
Strainer, pot, and cup
Steps
- Step 1: Use an orange squeezer to separate the juice from orange pulp and rind. Set aside squeezed orange juice for later use.
- Step 2: Boil water over fire then add orange pulp and rind to boiling water and let it simmer for 12 minutes over medium-low heat.
- Optional: If you prefer to use loose English Breakfast tea leaves you can add them here
- Step 3: Use a strainer to separate the pulp and rind as you drain the contents into a cup.
- Step 4: Add one teabag of English Breakfast Tea into the cup and let it steep for 3-4 minutes.
- Step 5: Set aside the teabag and add in the orange juice into the cup.
- Optional: Add a thin slice of orange for garnish
Chamomile Cherry Infusion Tea
When one suffers from a bout of flu, sleeping becomes more of an ordeal. The persistent discomfort is enough to keep anyone awake. Chamomile has long been known to be an effective bed-tucker and should be soothing enough to put you to sleep. Paired with fresh cherries, they are also known to be super fruits because of their high concentration of Quercetin, which is a powerful antioxidant known to suppress inflammations in the body. Excessive body ache and fatigue could be a sign that you caught the flu, make a cup of chamomile cherry infusion tea, and get a good night’s rest for a full recovery.
Ingredients
1 cup of water, 10 pcs fresh Cherries, 1 teabag Chamomile tea
Materials
Strainer, pot, and cup
Steps
- Step 1: Boil a cup of water
- Step 2: Slice and remove seeds from the cherries, then crush the pitted cherries using mortar and pestle.
- Step 3: Add the crushed cherries into the boiling water and let it simmer for 10 minutes over medium-low heat.
- Optional: If you prefer to use loose chamomile tea leaves you can add them here
- Step 4: Use a strainer to separate the crushed cherries as you drain the contents into a cup.
- Step 5: Add one teabag of chamomile tea into the cup and let it steep for 5 minutes.
Blueberry Peppermint Tea
All berries are known to have high levels of antioxidants, but blueberries in particular rank the highest in terms of antioxidant content. Studies show that flavonoids present in blueberries are responsible for boosting one’s immune system which helps repel any early signs of flu. Another noteworthy addition to having high antioxidants is peppermint, it coats and soothes the throat which helps reduce discomfort from constant coughing, itchiness, and allergies.
Ingredients
2 cups of water, 25-30 pcs fresh or frozen blueberries, 10 pcs fresh mint leaves, 1 teabag peppermint tea
Materials
Strainer, pot, and cup
Steps
- Step 1: Crush the blueberries using a mortar and pestle.
- Step 2: Boil water then add the mint leaves and crushed blueberries onto the boiling water and set to medium-low heat, let it simmer for 10 minutes.
- Step 3: Use a strainer to separate the mint leaves and crushed blueberries as you drain the contents into a cup.
- Step 4: Add one teabag of Peppermint tea into the cup and let it steep for 5 minutes.
Green Apple Turmeric Honey Tea
Used as ancient Ayurvedic medicine, turmeric has been used for centuries to fight off various infections and treat influenza. Commonly found in supermarkets in powdered drink form, or in specialty health and nutritional stores like Healthy Options in pill form. For this last tea recipe, we couple it with green apples and honey for an added kick of flavor and a healthy dose of Vitamin C to ensure you kick out the flu from your system!
Ingredients
Water, ½ green apple sliced thinly, 3 teaspoonful turmeric tea, honey (adjust depending on preference)
Materials
Strainer, pot, and cup
Steps
- Step 1: Boil water then add sliced green apples. Let it simmer for 12 minutes over medium-low heat.
- Step 2: Use a strainer to separate the chopped apples while draining the contents into a cup.
- Step 3: Add 3 teaspoon of turmeric tea into the cup and a tablespoon of honey (adjust depending on the preferred level of sweetness)
There are many ways to have a stronger resistance in fighting the flu, from choosing a healthier diet, taking immediate medications and regularly drinking vitamins. Drinking tea can also do wonders in soothing your throat, making you feel better, and boosting your immune, you can get creative with the many choices of fruits and ingredients you have at home to come up with unique twists that can be used in conjunction with tea. Mixing familiar organic ingredients meant to boost your immune system will add more flavorful, excitement, and prepare you to battle the flu season.
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