The best teas to help you through the winter and boost the immune system
Using tea to boost your immune system
Tea can be a great way to boost your body's defense systems especially as winter comes. Some types of tea have antimicrobial, antiviral and immune-boosting properties that can help keep you fit. We know that tea has been used as an ingredient in herbal medicine for many years to keep us safe from potential illness and prevent the symptoms of colds. We should however always remember that tea is not a replacement for good medical treatment , so if you think you might be getting sick go see your doctor!
Tea is great for boosting a person's immune system, it's high in antioxidants, and a great source of hydration. Many types of tea also have antiviral and antibacterial properties so they can help to prevent you from getting sick. Also if you might have already caught a bug, tea may help to soothe you and hopefully ease your symptoms until you recover.Of course tea is full of health benefits but it's not a replacement for seeing your doctor if you think you might be sick. You should always visit your doctor if you think you’re suffering from a serious illness.
We know tea has been used in herbal medicine to treat minor sickness for thousands of years - and there are scientific studies to back this up.
Here are a few of the teas that are especially effective when it comes to boosting your immune system’s defenses and improving overall health.
What are the top immune boosting teas? well check out Mrs Doyle's turmeric teas, ginger teas, licorice root teas, peppermint teas, chamomile teas, and there are many more.
These teas contain beneficial properties that can help to strengthen your immune system and ward off illness. Whether you’re worried about the winter flu season, or just want to improve your health, tea has many healthy benefits. What are the recommended teas to get you through the winter ? Here are a few of the teas that are especially effective when it comes to boosting your immune system’s defenses and improving overall health.
1. Ginger teas
Ginger contains antimicrobial properties that can help to boost the immune system and so keep you healthy. Ginger is slightly sweet, and gives a slightly spicy flavor to tea blends, and is used a lot as an ingredient in caffeinated and herbal teas.
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2.Turmeric teas
Turmeric is an orange colour with a little bitter flavor, it is related to ginger and used alot in Indian cuisine. Turmeric has a compound known as curcumin, which contains antimicrobial properties and is great at helping to keep you healthy.
3. Peppermint teas
Peppermint is one of the most used herbal teas and can be consumed on its own or as an ingredient in both caffeinated and herbal blends. Peppermint is cool and minty, and is the perfect herbal tea when you’re feeling a little low. Peppermint has antimicrobial and antiviral properties that can help ward off illness, and peppermint is high in antioxidants and so has a variety of other health benefits.
4. Licorice teas
Licorice root gives a sweetness to any tea , it is used in Chinese herbal medicine for hundreds of years, licorice root also has a wealth of health benefits, like antiviral and antimicrobial properties that will help boost the immune system and so should help keep you well in times of stress. You should of course remember that licorice root should only be taken in tea in moderation.
5. Lemongrass teas
Lemongrass is much loved common ingredient in many tea blends and it has a pleasant citrus flavor. some studies have shown that lemongrass has antibacterial properties that may help to protect the body against illness, and also lemongrass is also high in antioxidants and can help to reduce inflammation.
6. Chamomile teas
Perhaps best known as a sleepy tea, chamomile has been used as an ingredient in herbal medicine for centuries to help boost the immune system, Chamomile is great at soothing the symptoms of the common cold, and can really help with rest and relaxation. There are many studies that indicate that chamomile may contain antibacterial properties that could help your body ward off illness. Chamomile can be taken on its own for a mild, floral tea that tastes great with a spoonfull of honey.
7. Hibiscus teas
All teas that include hibiscus contain antibacterial and antimicrobial properties which will help to keep you healthy. Hibiscus also has many other health benefits,which include high levels of iron, antioxidants, and Vitamin C , so Go On try Mrs Doyle's happy tea which is full of Hibiscus.
8. Green teas
All Green tess are made out of the same tea plant that black tea and other types of caffeinated tea are produced from. However green tea is either steamed or pan-fired very soon after harvest so as to halt the oxidation process, which may result in increased levels of compounds like antioxidants and catechins. Many studies show that the catechins in green tea can help to ward off the flu and the common cold
9. Black teas
It's well known that black tea contains catechins with antiviral properties that may help to keep you from getting sick especially in cold winter months. Black tea is made from the camellia sinensis plant, so black tea is high in antioxidants and has many other health benefits, such as soothing inflammation and being great for maintaining a healthy heart
If you like many of us love a nice cup of black tea then check out Mrs Doyle's many flavoured black teas , our favourite is ofcourse her traditional loose leaf Irish tea !
What type of tea is best for You ?
It’s hard to say just what type of tea is best for you as many teas are different, with some containing different medicinal benefits. Some teas are high in antioxidants, and contain other beneficial properties, like aiding digestion, boosting the immune system, increasing energy and reducing inflammation. Herbs like peppermint, ginger, turmeric and hibiscus are really full of healthful properties.There are studies that suggest green tea may contain even more antioxidants than other types of tea. Green tea is high in antioxidants. The best tea for you is the tea that you will make a lot and enjoy drinking.
