A Simple Herbal Tea for Cold and Cough

Herbal teas are a great way to treat cold, cough, and flu symptoms. Drinking a warm herbal tea soothes the throat and having these kinds of herbal tea aka kashayam may also reduce the frequency of cold/flu attacks. It is the perfect drink during the cold season and there are no side effects for these (unless you are allergic to any of these ingredients). Here is a simple herbal tea recipe made with tulsi, ginger, coleus, and betel leaves which give miraculous comfort for sore throat and reduce cough.

Ingredients:

Tulsi leaves - 10 or 12

Coleus / Omavalli leaves - 4 to 6       

Ginger - 1/2 in. piece, sliced

Betel leaves - 1 or 2

Water

Honey

Method:

Wash the leaves. In a pot, add the leaves and 2 cups of water. 

Simmer the mixture till the water reduces to half. Filter, when it is warm enough to drink add honey. This soothes your throat and reduces cough.

TIPS:

If you don't have Omavalli or betel leaves, it is fine. A simple tulsi and ginger herbal tea is a great home remedy for cold and cough.

Feel free to add a few whole black peppercorns in your tea too.

You can have the tea without honey too. The addition of honey gives amber color to the herbal tea or else it is pale yellow colored but has all the flavors of the herbs.