Cough, often accompanied by cold or vice versa, affects people of any age group and tends to remain for a longer period of time, in the absence of remedies or proper treatment. Triggered by a number of factors like dust, pollution, pollen, animal dander and changes in the climate, this respiratory disorder can be quite a distressing condition. Even though there are many clinical treatments, to relieve the signs and symptoms of cough and cold, several home remedies are also known to effectively treat this common health issue. Herbal tea for cough as well as cold has been a trusted remedy from a very long time, and has also proved to be effective in combating the irritation in throat and respiratory tract.

There are different herbal teas to combat a number of health issues, however not all are recommended for cough. There are only a few herbal teas that are helpful in treating symptoms of cold, cough and flu. The herbal tea recipe is concocted using a special blend of herbs, spices, honey and lemon seeped in hot water. Here are some of the popular versions of herbal tea that have known to cure cough and cold.

Lemongrass Tea
Another powerful herbal tea for cough is lemongrass tea. A concoction made of lemongrass, peppercorns, cinnamon and mint leaves, with a dash of honey and lemon juice is an age-old and excellent remedy to relieve chest congestion, which is a common after-effect of cold and cough. It also helps in draining the nasal passage for effortless breathing. While making lemongrass tea, ensure that you choose tender leaves and peel the outer layer, as it has a bitter taste and which may make the tea unpalatable. Chop the leaves and boil them in hot water, along with the peppercorns and cinnamon. Remove it from the heat and add honey and lemon juice as per your preference.

Licorice Tea
The ancient health beverage of the Chinese herbalists, Greeks and Romans, licorice is also another reliable home remedy to get rid of cough and cold. Having demulcent and expectorant properties, licorice tea aids in the expulsion of the phlegm from the respiratory tract, while soothing the sinus cavities and throat. Licorice tea is especially good for productive cough. Seep the roots in boiling water for about 10 minutes and strain it. You can add a sweetener to the beverage if you don't like the strong flavor.

Chamomile Tea
This tea, with its unique flavor helps clear the nasal passage and also drains the sinuses. It also treats cough and cold. Even severe cases of bronchitis and fever can be cured by drinking chamomile tea. Being antimicrobial in nature, this tea destroys microbial growth in the respiratory tract. Dried flowers and leaves of the chamomile plant are used for making this herbal tea. At times, even fresh flowers are brewed, for a refreshing drink.

Fennel Tea
Made from fennel seeds, this drink is also an excellent home remedy to cure sore throat and cough, both dry as well as productive. Drinking or gargling with a cup of fennel tea helps get rid of the irritation in the throat. It also helps bring down the cough and soothes chest pain which arises due to continuous coughing and clearing of the throat. The fennel seeds are seeped in hot water, along with cardamom and coriander seeds for extra flavor. It is sweetened with maple syrup, and can be had at regular intervals.

Ginger Tea
Considered to be one of the best herbal teas for cough, ginger tea is very popular as an expectorant to relieve cough and chest congestion. Ginger tea mixed with a few drops of lemon juice and honey is an excellent combination to relieve inflammation of the inner lining of the throat. The lemon juice helps soothe the irritation, and honey brings down the cough. For concocting this tea, bring a cup or two of water to boil and seep a teaspoon of ginger paste in it for about 15 minutes. Add the honey and lemon juice.