It’s that time of year when everyone from your friends to your co-workers are getting sick. Protect yourself from cold and flu season by brewing these top 10 tea remedies.

Image: http://www.chatelaine.com/health/wellness/flu-fighting-tea/
1. Cayenne pepper – Warm up your body while simultaneously releasing mucous in the sinus and respiratory passages, lowering a fever and eliminating toxins.
2. Cinnamon – Put a cinnamon stick in your tea cup to soothe aches and pains, stimulate circulation and increase the elimination of toxins.
3. Elderberry – Elderberry, also called elder flower, helps treat respiratory infections by reducing the inflammation in mucous membranes. Black elderberries are the most effective and have been found to shorten the duration of symptoms by as much as four days.
4. Garlic cloves – Garlic cloves are expectorants, which means they make it easier to cough up and eliminate phlegm. They’re also natural pain relievers and high in antioxidants that support the immune system. Bonus? Your significant other will let you rest because you’ll have some serious garlic breath.
5. Ginger – Ginger can be used to relieve a sore throat, loosen up congestion, calm an upset stomach and relieve aches and pains due to its anti-inflammatory properties.
6. Lemon – With natural antibacterial properties, high levels of Vitamin C and the natural ability to support and detoxify your liver, lemon acts a strong defense against the flu.
7. Licorice Root – Licorice root tea contains anti-inflammatory properties, which can reduce painful swelling, sore, or scratchy in the throat. Licorice root also helps your body expel mucus from the respiratory tract.
8. Raw honey – Raw honey contains enzymes, vitamins, and minerals that would otherwise be destroyed during the pasteurization process, and offers tons of protection against germsdue to its strong antibacterial and anti-microbial effects.
9. Thyme – Thyme essential oil or dried thyme acts as an expectorant, which will help loosen mucus in your chest helping you battle against the flu or common cold.
10. Turmeric – Naturally anti-viral and antiseptic, this spice is one of the most effective anti-inflammatories in the grocery store.
Stay healthy and tweet us your home remedies at @ClutchPR!