The Best Tea for a Cold — Comfort in Every Cup

When a cold hits, nothing feels better than curling up with a warm mug of tea. The steam, the soothing herbs, the simple act of slowing down — it’s all comfort in liquid form.

While tea won’t cure a cold, it can help ease cold symptoms: scratchy throat, stuffy nose, chills, and fatigue. Some teas even contain natural ingredients that support your immune system and calm inflammation.

To help you find the best tea to drink for a cold, we’ve rounded up our favorites that can help you feel better, sip by sip.

How Tea Helps When You’re Sick

A cozy cup of tea does more than warm you up — it’s real self-care when you’re fighting a cold. Here’s how it helps:

1. Soothes your throat: The warm liquid relaxes irritated tissues and reduces that painful scratchiness.
2. Loosens congestion: The steam helps clear nasal passages and ease stuffiness.
3. Keeps you hydrated: Fluids are essential when you’re sick, and tea makes it easy to drink more.
4. Provides herbal benefits: Ingredients like ginger, licorice root, peppermint, and turmeric can help calm inflammation, boost your immune system, and ease discomfort naturally.

1. Best Tea for a Sore Throat: Throat Soother Tea

If your throat feels raw or scratchy, you need a tea that coats and calms.

We designed Throat Soother Tea to do just that — with slippery elm, licorice, and anise, all herbs known for their soothing and throat-coating properties. Slippery elm, in particular, has a gel-like texture that lines your throat and eases irritation naturally.

✨ How to drink it: Steep 1–2 teaspoons in hot water for 7–10 minutes. Add a spoonful of honey for extra comfort and antimicrobial benefits.

2. Best Tea for Congestion and Body Aches: Ginger Turmeric Tea

When you’re stuffed up, achy, or chilled, reach for something warming.

Ginger has natural anti-inflammatory properties. This may help reduce sinus pressure and ease sore muscles, while turmeric brings its own antioxidant power. Together, they make one of the best teas to drink when you have a cold — spicy, soothing, and healing all at once.

Ginger Turmeric Tea adds a hint of apple and orange for a bright, pleasant flavor that feels like sunshine in a mug.

☀️ How to drink it: Steep for 5–7 minutes, then sip slowly. Add lemon and honey if you like a touch of sweetness and extra vitamin C.

3. Best Tea for Congestion and Sinus Relief: Peppermint Tea

If your head feels stuffy and you can’t seem to breathe easily, peppermint tea can bring instant relief. The natural menthol in peppermint acts as a gentle decongestant — it helps open your airways and clear nasal passages. It also has an overall cooling, calming effect that can ease tension headaches or sinus pressure.

Peppermint tea is caffeine-free and refreshing, making it perfect for day or night. Plus, inhaling the steam while you sip gives you a mini aromatherapy session that helps loosen mucus and soothe a sore throat.

✨ How to drink it: Steep 1–2 teaspoons for 5 minutes. Breathe in the steam before your first sip — you’ll feel that cooling menthol magic right away.

If you’d like to stock up, check out the herbal collection — we offer several peppermint-forward blends that pair well with honey or lemon for extra comfort.

4. Best Tea for Immune Support: Immunity Boost Tea

When you feel a cold coming on — or want to bounce back faster — this is the blend to grab.

Immunity Boost Tea combines herbal ingredients that support your body’s natural defenses while keeping you hydrated and comforted. Think of it as a gentle nudge for your immune system.

🍊 How to drink it: Enjoy a cup first thing in the morning or anytime during the day to stay nourished and warm.

(Note: “Immune support” doesn’t mean “cure.” It simply helps your body function at its best while it heals.)

5. Is Green Tea Good for a Cold? Absolutely.

When you’re feeling sluggish and stuffy, green tea can give you a gentle lift while supporting your recovery. It’s rich in antioxidants — especially catechins like EGCG — which may help your immune system fight off viruses and reduce inflammation.

The warm, light flavor is easy on the stomach, and the mild caffeine can help you stay alert when you’d rather nap the day away. Add a squeeze of lemon and a touch of honey for extra vitamin C and throat relief.

Explore our premium Green Tea Collection — with options like Jasmine Green or Sencha that are smooth, soothing, and perfect for sipping your way back to wellness.

6. Classic Comfort: Chamomile, Lemon & Honey

Sometimes the simplest combination does the trick.

A cup of chamomile tea with a squeeze of lemon and a drizzle of honey can relax your body, calm a cough, and help you drift off to sleep.

7. Best All-in-One Option: Wellness Tea Gift Set

If you have a friend that is feeling under the weather, send them a Wellness tea care package.

Our Wellness Tea Gift Set includes Immunity Boost, Throat Soother, and Tea-tox — three herbal blends that work together to ease symptoms, support recovery, and keep you feeling comforted from morning to night.

It’s a great trio to have on hand heading into cold season.

How to Choose the Right Tea for You

When choosing the best tea to drink for a cold, think about what’s bothering you most:

💡 Tip: If you’re drinking tea throughout the day, stick to caffeine-free blends in the afternoon and evening so you can rest well.

Brewing Tips for Maximum Comfort

A few simple tricks can make your tea even more soothing:

• Use fresh, hot water — about 200°F (not boiling) for most herbal teas.
• Steep longer (7–10 minutes) to draw out the full flavor and benefits.
• Add honey for natural sweetness and throat relief.
• Breathe in the steam before your first sip — it helps clear sinuses.
• Stay cozy: wrap up in a blanket and take small, slow sips.

Simple Tea Routine for Cold Relief

When it comes to finding the best tea to drink for a cold, trust your taste buds and your symptoms.

• Sore throat? Go for Throat Soother Tea.
• Feeling congested or achy? Try Ginger Turmeric Tea.
• Want immune support? Reach for Immunity Boost Tea.
• Need an all-around remedy? Get the Wellness Tea Gift Set and be prepared for anything.

Tea won’t magically make cold or flu symptoms disappear overnight — but it can absolutely help you feel more comfortable, keep you hydrated, and provide small moments of calm while your body does the hard work of healing.

Stay hydrated, rest often, and let the health benefits of tea do its comforting magic. 💛

A Quick Note Before You Sip

While tea can bring wonderful comfort and relief, remember that it’s not a substitute for medical treatment. Everyone’s body is different. While herbs like ginger, peppermint, and licorice can help ease symptoms, they won’t replace professional care.

If your cold symptoms persist for more than a few days, get worse, or include a high fever or breathing difficulties, it’s best to seek medical advice from your healthcare provider. We’re here to share tea inspiration, not medical prescriptions — so take care of yourself, rest up, and reach out for professional help if you need it.