In traditional Chinese medicine, it is often said that “external contraction of cold is the source of a hundred diseases,” and the period of cold weather is a common season for catching colds. To prevent and treat colds, one can turn to traditional Chinese herbal teas. These teas are not only convenient and cost-effective but also known for their effective therapeutic properties.
In this article, we will introduce ten ideal Chinese herbal tea recipes for preventing and treating colds during the cold season. These recipes not only contribute to health and well-being but also serve the purpose of soothing the mind and spirit. Depending on the individual’s symptoms, one can choose the most suitable tea for consumption.
1. Ginger and Perilla Leaf Tea:
- Ideal for wind-cold type colds with symptoms such as headache, fever, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, and abdominal bloating.
- Recipe: 3g of sliced ginger, 3g of perilla leaves. Infuse in hot water for 10 minutes and drink as tea twice a day.
2. Mulberry Leaf and Chrysanthemum Tea:
- Suitable for wind-heat type colds with symptoms like body heat, cough, headache, sore throat, and slight thirst.
- Recipe: 5-10g winter mulberry leaves, 5-10g chrysanthemum, 2g licorice, 3g Dragon Well tea. Infuse in hot water and drink daily to clear heat and relieve cough.
3. Dandelion Tea:
- Effective for wind-heat type colds with symptoms such as slight fever, aversion to wind, lack of sweat, headache, nasal congestion, dry mouth, and slight thirst.
- Recipe: 20g dandelion, 15g honey, 3g licorice, 15-20g green tea. Boil dandelion, licorice, and green tea in water for 15 minutes, add honey, and drink once a day in three divided doses.
4. Three-Flower Tea:
- Suitable for wind-heat type colds with symptoms like fever, aversion to slight wind, sweating, no runny nose, and throat pain.
- Recipe: 15g honeysuckle, 10g chrysanthemum, 3g jasmine flower. Infuse the three flowers in hot water and drink as tea to clear heat and detoxify.
5. Ginger and Green Onion White Tea:
- Ideal for those who are overworked, lack proper rest, and are susceptible to cold winds, experiencing symptoms like chills, nasal congestion, clear runny nose, cough, and reduced appetite.
- Recipe: 6g ginger, 2 green onions. Boil in water for 5 minutes, cover, and drink twice a day, promoting sweating.
6. Peppermint and Reed Root Tea:
- Suitable for uncomfortable cough, thick yellow phlegm, sore throat, stuffy nose, or accompanied by fever, headache, red tongue, and thin yellow coating.
- Recipe: Peppermint, reed root, honeysuckle, and licorice in appropriate amounts for infusion. Add rock sugar if it’s too bitter.
7. Kudzu Root and Red Tea:
- Effective for treating cold and fever. Kudzu root eliminates cold viruses, while the antioxidants in red tea enhance the body’s resistance.
- Recipe: A teaspoon of kudzu root powder, red tea bag. Dissolve kudzu root powder in half a cup of boiling water, add red tea bag, stir well, and drink when the tea color appears.
8. Brown Sugar and Ginger Tea:
- Specifically for mild colds with symptoms of headache, fullness, overall body discomfort, and poor appetite.
- Recipe: 10 slices of ginger, 10g black tea, 15g brown sugar. Steep in boiling water for 10 minutes, drink frequently to promote sweating and release heat.
9. Mulberry and Chrysanthemum Almond Tea:
- This tea has the functions of dispelling wind, clearing heat, moistening the lungs, and stopping coughs, suitable for coughs caused by wind-heat type colds.
- Recipe: 10g mulberry leaves, 10g chrysanthemum flowers, 10g almonds, sugar to taste. Decoct the three ingredients, add sugar, and drink as a substitute for tea.
10. Walnut, Green Onion, and Ginger Tea: – Mainly for colds, fever, chills, and headaches. – Recipe: 5g walnut kernels, 25g green onion, 25g ginger, 15g red tea leaves. Grind the ingredients, add to a pot with water, boil, strain, and drink one dose daily, covering with a blanket until sweating occurs.
Conclusion:
Incorporating traditional Chinese herbal teas into your routine during the cold season not only helps prevent and treat colds but also provides a comforting and soothing experience. These teas are not only easy to prepare but also cost-effective, making them an ideal choice for maintaining health and well-being during the winter months. Feel free to choose the recipe that best suits your symptoms and preferences, and enjoy the natural benefits of these traditional remedies.
