Natural Cold and Flu Remedy: Soothing Tomato Tea

Tomato Tea: A Natural Cold and Flu Remedy

Tomato tea is a favorite natural cold and flu remedy of mine. It tastes good, and I can feel it relieving some of my symptoms from the first warm, soothing sip.

If the situation at my son’s daycare is any indication, cold and flu season is in full effect. I had to keep him home sick on Monday, and when we came back on Tuesday the teacher told me that they’d basically had to send every single kid home sick the day before. YIKES. Time to bust out your favorite natural cold and flu remedy! This tomato tea is one of mine.

I will tell you something: there is nothing worse than being sick while caring for a sick child. It hurts my heart to see my son feeling rotten. And when I’m also feeling rotten, I feel like I can’t do enough for him. I’ll take any help that I can get. What I love about tomato tea is that it’s really easy to make, and I start feeling a little bit better after just a couple of deep breaths and sips. It’s also a pretty healthy drink, so it’s something that I can keep sipping all day while giving my poor, congested kiddo the snuggles that he needs.

Below is a tomato tea recipe that I shared back in 2011 over at Eat Drink Better. It’s still one of my go-to natural cold and flu remedies. With cold and flu season rolling in, it felt like just the right time to share it over here.

Soothing Tomato Tea: A Natural Cold and Flu Remedy

Ingredients

1 mugful of vegetable juice (choose one that’s free of added sugars, if you can find it)
1 clove garlic, minced
juice of 1/2 lemon
vinegar-based hot sauce, to taste

Cooking Directions

Heat just the juice up in the microwave for 1-2 minutes You want it steaming hot. If you’re not crazy about the microwave, the stove top works just as well, but let’s be honest: when you’re sick, convenience rules.
Stir in the rest of the ingredients. I used about a teaspoon of Cholula hot sauce, but whatever you can handle is fine.
Sip the tea, making sure to also breathe the fumes deeply. That good steam and warm liquid will soothe your nose and throat while the garlic, lemon, vinegar, and hot pepper boost your immune system.

photo credit: sleepyneko via photopin cc

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