What beverages should you drink when you have a cold?
Mar 18, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Yang Ziqi
Introduction
Upper respiratory tract infections may be accompanied by drinking moderate amounts of honey lemon water, hot orange juice, ginger tea, mint tea, or monk fruit tea. These beverages are rich in nutrients such as vitamin C, gingerol, and flavonoids, which can help enhance immunity and alleviate symptoms such as coughing, phlegm production, and throat discomfort. However, beverages cannot replace medications. If symptoms persist, it is recommended to seek timely medical attention and follow prescribed treatments as directed by a healthcare professional.
Generally speaking, a cold refers to an upper respiratory tract infection. Patients with upper respiratory tract infections can choose to drink beverages such as honey lemon water, warm orange juice, ginger tea, mint tea, and luo han guo tea. Detailed explanations are as follows:
1. Honey Lemon Water
Honey lemon water contains nutrients such as vitamin C, vitamin E, and vitamin B, which have antioxidant effects. It can enhance immunity, help improve conditions caused by low immunity, and reduce the likelihood of illness. Moreover, honey water can soothe the throat and promote the healing of throat mucosa.
2. Warm Orange Juice
Orange juice is made from fresh oranges and is rich in vitamin C and flavonoids. It helps boost immunity and relieve symptoms such as fatigue and drowsiness caused by upper respiratory tract infections. When the body has sufficient nutrition, the risk of disease recurrence can also be reduced.
3. Ginger Tea
Ginger tea is a beverage made by steeping fresh ginger. It has the effects of dispersing cold and relieving exterior syndromes, as well as warming the middle jiao and stopping vomiting. Patients with upper respiratory tract infections who consume it in moderation can benefit from sweating, which helps expel cold from the body and alleviate symptoms like coughing and chills caused by cold exposure.
4. Mint Tea
Mint tea has a cool flavor and offers the effects of clearing heat and relieving exterior syndromes, as well as dispersing wind and reducing fever. When patients with upper respiratory tract infections experience symptoms such as coughing, phlegm production, nasal congestion, or fever, moderate consumption may help alleviate these adverse symptoms.
5. Luo Han Guo Tea
Luo han guo tea has the effects of clearing heat and detoxifying, as well as clearing the throat and benefiting the lungs. It can be used to relieve symptoms such as burning or stabbing throat pain, fever, and warm hands and feet caused by upper respiratory tract infections. Additionally, luo han guo tea is nutritionally rich and can provide energy and nutrients to the body when consumed in moderation.
It should be noted that although these beverages offer many health benefits, they cannot replace medications for treating diseases. Also, attention should be paid to the amount consumed, avoiding excessive intake that may burden the gastrointestinal system.
