A cold is a viral infection in your nose and throat. Lots of symptoms accompany colds, such as stuffy nose, sore throat, congestion, headache, sneezing, fever and fatigue. Your doctor may prescribe pain killers and decongestants, but these may have unpleasant side effects. Herbal teas may relieve cold symptoms and fight the infection naturally. Consult a health care provider before starting herbal treatment.
Herbal Actions
Herbal teas for colds work in various ways. Some herbs have antiviral action and can attack the viruses that cause colds. Others stimulate your immune system to fight the infection. Some herbs relieve cold symptoms and restore energy. Check with a qualified practitioner for advice about dosage and preparation of herbal teas.
Ginger
Ginger, or Zingiber officinale, is a perennial originally from India. The rhizome, or underground stem, is a traditional remedy for nausea. In traditional Chinese medicine, or TCM, ginger is part of herbal tea formulas for colds, fever and coughs. In their 2000 book, "The Herbal Drugstore," Dr. Linda B. White and medicinal plant expert Steven Foster recommend ginger for colds and flu because it may reduce inflammation, relieve pain, help you expel mucus and warm you if you feel chilled. Avoid using ginger if you have a fever.
Boneset
Boneset, or Eupatorium perfoliatum, is a tall perennial with clusters of tiny white flowers. This herb has a long history as a tea for treating fevers, flu and colds. Boneset is rich in sesquiterpene lactones, phytosterols, polysaccharides, flavonoids, essential oil and tannins, and it stimulates the immune system. Dr. Linda B. White and Steven Foster recommend boneset to relieve body aches and help you sweat to reduce fever. Do not use in high doses, as it may cause vomiting.
Astragalus
Astragalus, or Astragalus membranaceus, is a perennial native to China, Korea and Siberia. TCM practitioners use it in teas and extracts to treat colds, flu, infections, wounds and fatigue. The active ingredients in the roots include triterpene saponins and polysaccharides. In their 2009 book, "Medicinal Plants of the World," botanist Ben-Erik van Wyk and biologist Michael Wink note that astragalus is a potent immunostimulant and also has antiviral activity. Phyllis A. Balch, CNC, and James F. Balch, M.D, state in their 2000 book, "Prescription for Nutritional Healing," that astragalus works by increasing the white blood cells that fight infections. Do not use this herb if you have an autoimmune disorder or are taking drugs that suppress the immune system.
References
- "The Herbal Drugstore"; Linda B. White, M.D., Steven Foster; 2000
- "Medicinal Plants of the World"; Ben-Erik van Wyk and Michael Wink; 2009
- "Prescription for Nutritional Healing"; Phyllis A. Balch, CNC, and James F. Balch, M.D.; 2000
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