A Pot of Herbal Tea for the Common Cold (Recipe: Tulsi Rose Hip Tea)

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I would much prefer that I or my husband were sick rather than our little ones. There’s something about a sniffling, hacking child that makes one feel so inadequate. Perhaps that is why our children get colds.

Nonetheless, they seem so much more resilient during the process than we do. Granted, at 6, 4, and .75 they don’t exactly hold a lot of responsibility around here so if they decide to lay down for a bit things don’t come to a screeching halt.

The problem, then, is that they are just so pitiful. Especially the baby who coughs and sputters when trying to sleep and wakes up screaming in frustration, and understandably so.

Since all of that is upon us I have been cranking out pots of herbal tea. This three herb (if you can call orange peel that) tea is simple, healing, and dare I say delicious.

If you’re not familiar with tulsi, or holy basil, then might I recommend it as part of your herbal medicine cabinet? It’s one of those herbs that people find adaptogenic herbs that doesn’t swing your body too far in one direction or the other, but rather works with it to restore physical and emotional balance in the case of illness or stress.

Rose hips are one of the highest plant sources of vitamin C, an all-important anti-inflammatory. It is definitely a better option that sugar-laden orange juice if you’re looking to boost your intake of vitamin C. Plus, it’s pretty tasty stuff.

Orange-Tulsi-Rose Hip Tea

For two big cups:

Add 1 tablespoon rose hips, 1 tablespoon of tulsi, and 1/2 tablespoon dried orange peel to boiling water.

Steep for 5 minutes, and then strain into mugs.

For a homemade herbal tea mix:

Combine in a large bowl and then store in an air-tight container. Use a heaping tablespoon per cup of boiled water for a strong cup of tea. Adjust to taste.

What’s in your tea pot when little sniffles strike?

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3 Comments

  1. Perfect timing, as we’ve all come down with a little cold, I’m off to gather the above items.

    I usually make a gentle tea like chamomile and add lemon and honey to it for the kids and often some cayenne pepper to mine,especially if it’s more than just a little cold.

  2. I have been used different herbal tea such as ESSIAC for its medicinal properties as it contain a combination of herbs that work collectively to synergistically help in providing a definite solution.

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