The Basics
-Sue Worthman

Tea—The Hot Stuff for Fighting Colds

When you have a cold, tea—be it black, green, white or herbal—may be one of your best, most soothing friends. Black and green tea may help boost the body’s immune system, which provides the body’s natural ability to fight viral infections such as cold and flu. Research reported in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that people who drank 20 ounces of black tea per day (the equivalent of approximately three cups) produced five times the amount of germ-fighting cells as those who drank coffee. Scientists have also discovered that chamomile – renowned for its soothing, calming qualities – can also ward off colds and acts as a mild sedative to ease muscle cramps. Researchers at Imperial College, London, gave 14 volunteers, both men and women, five cups of chamomile tea daily for two consecutive weeks. It was found that drinking the tea increased levels of hippurate, a by-product of certain plant-based compounds known as phenolics, some of which have been associated with increased antibacterial activity. This helps explain why the tea appears to boost the immune system and fight infections.

All in all, tea drinkers may have a better chance of fighting off an infection than non-tea drinkers. Other good teas for colds include: Nettle—a rich source of iron, folic acid and B vitamins, it’s also an excellent detoxifier.

Rooibos and Honeybush—
Recent research by South African biochemists revealed that these distinctive teas contain viral and cancer-fighting elements. Both were shown to have considerable antimutagenic properties and could reduce numbers of pre-cancerous cells. Redbush contains a variety of antioxidant substances – some of which are entirely exclusive to the plant. Caffeine-free with a low tannin content, the tea contains iron, fluoride and Vitamin C.

Licorice—particularly good at easing sore throats, coughs and bronchitis.

Chills, aches and congestion can also be soothed by ginger, peppermint, hibiscus, rose hips and red clover (the latter three high in Vitamin C), immunity-builders like echinacea and of the course the relaxing scents of lavender.

Before or during your next cold, have a ‘cuppa—or two. Your health will thank you.

Customer Corner

		Name: Jeff Landis City: Sacramento/Oakland/Berkeley Occupation: Occupation: Paramedic and Firefighter Favorite Tea: Royal Red Robe
Jeff Landis lives in sprints. As a paramedic and firefighter, he is a real-life superhero, racing to save lives and buildings, or waiting, poised, for the call that will send him speeding off again. He divides his residence between three cities. And he is, with his wife, a peripatetic traveler, who spends his off time wandering around the world. Naturally, this superhero has another, more mild-mannered persona. Verrrrry civilized. When four o’clock rolls around, this ‘alter-ego’ can be found making tea (provided there’s no emergency of course). That’s right—tea. It’s his secret for maintaining the stamina required for an adrenalin-pumping job, long commutes, and the exhilarating but sometimes wearying effects of global travel. Born to a tea-drinking, no-coffee family, Jeff really got hooked on tea when he lived in Asia. Now he drinks it daily, whether home or abroad. Jeff’s sampled exquisite green teas in Japan and Thailand, had “wonderful high teas in Hong Kong that go on for hours, with all sorts of outrageous sweets”, and most recently discovered that coffee-growing climates may not be the best for tea-growing as evidenced by a “tragically bad” high tea in Ethiopia. Jeff’s also on a mission to ‘save’ coffee drinkers, by turning them on to the fine points of tea. With the gift of a tea ceremony set at Christmas, he held a tea-tasting party, introducing friends to white, green, oolong and black teas. At the stationhouse, Jeff keeps no less than 2 pots and about 20 different types of tea. Has he converted his colleagues? “Not completely,” he says. “But I’m making inroads”. Nice work, SuperTea Man. “Cup” up and away!