Drinks Recipes

Mom’s Ginger Honey Lemon Tea Recipe for Colds and Flu

It seems like everybody has been sick the last couple of months. Since just before Christmas, we’ve had wave after wave of colds and sinus infections sweep through this house. Whenever somebody gets a sore throat or the first sniffles appear, this is my go-to brew: black tea with ginger, honey, lemon juice, and cloves.

Mom's Ginger Honey Lemon Tea for colds and flu

So why is this tea good for colds?

  • Tea is rich in protective antioxidants, and the warmth helps soothe sore throats and loosen congestion.
  • Raw honey is also an antioxidant, as well as antimicrobial, antiviral, antifungal, and full of good enzymes, vitamins, and minerals. Honey helps soothe sore throats and makes the tea taste good! If you can’t find raw honey, at least try to use unpasteurized honey as the high heat from pasteurization will destroy its nutrients. Remember that babies under one year should not have honey due to the small chance of infant botulism.
  • Ginger has strong anti-inflammatory properties, helps reduce nausea, and boosts the immune system.
  • Lemons are high in vitamin C and help loosen congestion.
  • Cloves are a natural analgesic and can help numb sore throats.

Of course I don’t want to give caffeine to my kids, so when I make my ginger honey lemon tea for them, I use either decaffeinated tea or reused tea bags (most of the caffeine goes into the first brew).

Next time you’re feeling under the weather, try this!

Mom's Ginger Honey Lemon Tea

Ingredients
  

  • 1.5 cups water
  • black tea loose or in a teabag
  • 1 tablespoon finely julienned or minced ginger
  • pinch of ground cloves
  • 1-2 tablespoons raw honey
  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice

Instructions
 

  • In a small pot, add water, teabag, ginger, and cloves. Bring to a boil and gently simmer for 3-5 minutes.
  • Pour the ginger tea through a strainer into a mug.
  • Add honey and lemon to taste.
This post is linked up to some fantastic recipe link parties. Check out my Link Parties page to see where I’m linking up and to find some wonderful blogs and more amazing recipes!

Leave a Comment

29 Comments

  • Thank you for the recipe. I have a cold/flu at the moment and its making miserable; I have been using my mother’s ginger/garlic tea, but its pretty vile. Your recipe sounds a bit easier to swallow, so will give it a try.

  • This tea sounds really good and it has to be comforting for a sore throat. I am really happy that you posted this recipe as we do get a lot of colds and sore throats in the winter.

  • I am saving this recipe. Who knows whEn i will need it. My boys are always bringing something home from school.

  • I make a version of this, but I haven’t tried it with cloves or black tea. Thanks for the recipe… I’m sure I’ll be needing it again sometime during this cold/flu season!

  • My grandma used to make something very similar when I was sick. This was great for everything–especially sore throats or coughs. I never got her official “recipe” so I’m so glad you’ve posted one! Thank you for linking this up to the “This Is How We Roll Thursday” link party.

  • We’re just getting over a terrible cold that raged through my family. Can’t wait to make a cup of tea for everyone this evening to help our throats and congestion. Thanks for sharing at the This Is How We Roll link party at Organized 31.

  • Thanks for the recipe! This is a good recipe to hold onto year round for us because it seems like there’s never a season without a cold.

  • this sounds great a must try , there’s always someone in our home that’s sick or not feeling well thanks for sharing πŸ™‚

  • Thank you for the recipe on honey lemon tea. We need it here! My daughter, 1 year old grandson and her 4 day old baby all seem to be getting a cold! The pediatrician can help the babies but the adults can use this.

  • This is what I give my husband when he is not feeling well but without the lemon juice – I’ll try that as well next time

  • Definitely coming back to this recipe when we have another round of colds in the house….I think we got really lucky this season! With the exception of a couple of moments lol.

  • My mom made me something similar to this when I had a sore throat, except without the tea. It was a miracle worker! Even after my throat was ok, I enjoyed it because it was so soothing. Even my daughter liked it.

    Thanks πŸ™‚

  • My daughter loves tea – this will be something I need to keep in mind for her – thanks for the info!

  • I love honey lemon ginger green tea when I ‘m sick. I wonder what age is appropriate for kids to start drinking tea?

  • I love ginger and lemon… and I love tea. This sounds so good that I don’t think I will wait until I’m sick to try it! I just have to remember to buy ginger! Thank you!

  • This sounds like what my throat needs right now. I don’t have any fresh ginger but I might try substituting with ground spice.