Flu Teas

The general effects of the plants, which are frequently found in various herbal mixtures and teas used in upper respiratory tract diseases such as flu, colds, colds, colds, etc., are as follows.

Sarımsak (Allium sativum)

Parts Used: Fresh or dried garlic cloves and garlic oil

Garlic oil is not contained in fresh or dried garlic cloves, but is obtained during the conversion of water-soluble thiosulphanates into fat-soluble sulphites during the steam distillation process. It has lipid-lowering, antioxidant, antithrombotic, antihypertensive, antimicrobial, anticancer, antiallergenic, immunomodulatory effects.

Allicin is responsible for its antimicrobial effect. Allicin blocks cellular metabolic processes. Garlic extract has been reported to inhibit H. pylori in vitro and thus may exhibit antiulcer activity. It also inhibits the activation of NF-B, which is responsible for immune and inflammatory reactions in Tk cells, and has an immunomodulatory effect by increasing the activity of natural killer cells, the number of antibodies, and the number of lymphocytes. In traditional treatment, it is used to treat colds, coughs, rhinitis.

Elderflower (Sambucus nigra)

Its other names are black elderberry, medicinal elderberry, sweating tea, popper, sambucus. The flowers of elderberry contain essential and fixed oil, sticky plant fluid, resin, tannins and sugars, as well as alkaloids called samburgin and rutin. The fruit of the plant contains natural sugars, fruit acids, tannins, trace C essential oils. The shells of elderberry also contain tannins, resins, alkaloids and valerian acid. It is expectorant. Softens the chest. It has a diaphoretic effect and is used among the people in flu, colds and colds. The stem bark of the plant is mixed with dry or fresh leaves and shredded. Take 2-3 teaspoons of this mixture and heat it to the boiling point in 1 glass of water. The decoction, which is obtained by turning down the fire and continuing the heating process for another 10-15 minutes, is drunk twice a day as a glass. It is applied externally as a skin softener and wound healer. The ripe and cooked fruits of many species of elderberry can be eaten, but raw fruits, leaves, twigs, roots and seeds are poisonous. Red elderberry can be especially toxic to those with liver and kidney problems. It should not be used together with diabetes drugs, immunosuppressive drugs, chemotherapy drugs.

Echinacea (Echinacea purpurea)

In Europe and America, oral preparations of Echinacea purpurea are used in the prevention and treatment of upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs). Its share in the American dietary supplement market is 10%. In human studies, it has been observed that echinacea relieves the symptoms of URTIs and reduces the duration, especially if administered in its early stages. It contains water-soluble immunostimulant polysaccharides and glycoproteins, essential oils, Flavonoids [caffeic (echinacoside, cynarin) and ferulic acid derivatives, rutin], alkylamines, polyenes. Anaphylaxis is common in asthma and other allergic. Its use in children is not recommended due to allergic reactions. It causes stomach upset, nausea, erythema, headache, light headedness, dizziness, myalgia, hepatitis, renal failure, thrombocytopenia, leukopenia and atrial fibration. It is not recommended for pregnant and lactating mothers. Inhibits CYP3A4. Drugs metabolized by this enzyme interact with immune depressants (azathioprine, basiliximab, cyclosporine, daclizumab, sirolimus, tacrolimus, etc.), corticosteroids.

2 teaspoons (4 g) of powdered echinacea in a cup of boiled water for 10 min. Tea is prepared by waiting and drunk for 5-7 days. Taking 5-6 cups (1,275 mg/cup) on the first day of URTI reduces symptoms, then 1 cup is taken daily and not used for more than 5 days.

Indigo (Baptisia tinctoria (Wild Indigo))

Roots are used. It contains various chemicals such as water-soluble polysaccharide (arabinogalactan), glycoproteins, alkaloids (cytinizin, N-methyl cytisine, anagirin, spartein), isoflavonoids (formononetin baptigenin, pseudobaptigenin, fomononetin, bapticin, pseudobaptisin, trifolirizine), hydroxycoumarins. It is used in diseases such as upper respiratory tract infections, colds, tonsillitis, stomatitis, fever. It is not used during pregnancy and lactation. 0.5 – 1 g of dry plant root is boiled slowly for 15 minutes over low heat in half a liter of water. The resulting tea is filtered and drunk warm 3 times a day.

Papatya (Chamomile / Matricaria chamomile)

It contains essential oil (bisabolol), flavonoids (quercetin, rutin, hyperoside, apigenin, luteolin), methoxy flavonoids, hydroxycoumarins (herniarin, umbeliferone), mucilages (ramanogalacturan). It has an immune stimulant, anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic effect. In addition, it is thought to be effective in anxiety, arthritis, tear duct obstruction, aphthae, colic, diarrhea, digestive disorder, eczema, fever, gingival bleeding, heartburn, inflammatory bowel syndrome, insomnia, menstrual cramps, mouth ulcers, peptic ulcer, periodontal diseases, skin irritation, ulcers, wounds and infections. In addition, since it supports immunity, it is often recommended to be used in the form of tea in URTI diseases. But allergies, itching, rash, overdose of nausea and vomiting can lead to uterine contraction in pregnant women. Patients with bleeding and haemophilia, patients who will undergo surgery in the near future, pregnant and breastfeeding women should never be used. It should be used with caution in patients with asthma.  It should not be used without consulting a doctor. It is not used with blood thinners such as coumarin, aspirin, warfarin. It can cause the bleeding not to stop. In cold and flu patients, 15 g of chamomile flowers are brewed in half a litter of hot water for 15 minutes and the tea is consumed 1-2 cups a day.

Zencefil (Zingiber officinale)

Roots are used. It contains essential oils and phenol compounds (gingerols). In addition, the starch, calcium, B and C vitamins it contains increase the medicinal importance of this plant. Ginger tea softens the throat and reduces coughing. You can also drink ginger tea if you have problems such as nausea or pain. To prepare ginger tea at home, peel 2-3 centimetres thick ginger, slice it thinly and put it in boiling water and let it brew for 15 minutes. You can also brew ginger by grating it. The addition of honey enhances its effect. Not for use in children under 2 years of age. The maximum dose of use per day is 4 g.

Melissa, sonwort (Melissa officinalis)

Leaves are used. It contains essential oils, glycosides, caffeic acid derivatives, flavonoids, and triterpene acids. It has relaxing, digestion-facilitating, relaxing, antibacterial, antiviral, antioxidant effects. It is used at a dose of 1.5-4.5 g per day. Freshly prepared tea can be consumed several times a day. Tea is prepared by brewing 10 grams of dried lemon balm in half a litter of boiled water for 10 minutes. Consumption of this tea is not recommended for people with low blood pressure. Otherwise, dizziness and weakness may occur. The essential oil it contains can cause allergies.