As the cold and flu season draws near, it’s the perfect opportunity to explore traditional Mexican cold remedies for relief.
While over-the-counter medications are readily available in Mexico, natural alternatives often provide a gentler approach to managing symptoms.
Mexico’s time-honored remedies, ranging from herbs found in your own backyard to staples at local markets, offer simple yet effective ways to alleviate cold and flu discomfort.
Keep reading for 9 Mexican cold remedies you’ll want to have on hand for the season.
#1 Epazote
One of the most common Mexican cold remedies is adding the herb epazote to steam for respiratory issues and congestion relief.
According to Net Meds, “Its aromatic properties can help clear airways and provide relief from symptoms of colds and respiratory infections.”
Simply add epazote to boiling water. Cover the bowl and let the herb steep for 10 minutes. Then, place your face above the hot water and cover your head with the towel while breathing in the steam.
Breathing in steam with epazote is an easy way to find fast relief.
It can also be used as tea. Steep fresh or dried leaves in hot water for 10 minutes and strain.
#2 Gordolobo
Gordolobo, also known as mullein, is often used for treating coughs and sore throats.
It is traditionally used as a tea.
According to Herbal Safety, “Gordolobo and related species have been used for centuries in Mexico and other Latin American countries, chiefly to expel phlegm (mucus), to treat bronchial asthma and coughs. Gordolobo may be added to other herbs that also have therapeutic properties against respiratory ailments, such as Eucalyptus, for example, but the effectiveness of such combinations is presently unknown.”
To make Gordolobo tea, boil 2 tablespoons of dried Gordolobo in 2 cups of water for 5 minutes. Remove from heat, cover, and let it steep for 5 minutes.
#3 Bugambilia
One of the Mexican cold remedies that is useful during flu season is bugambilia.
Bugambilia, a thorny vine with colorful flowers, is traditionally used as a fever reducer, cough suppressant, and more.
According to a scientific report, “Bougainvillea [bugambilia] has long been used as a medicinal plant, mainly in Latin America and Mexico. The extracts from several plant tissues, mainly leaves, flowers and stem barks, are utilized in traditional medicine in forms of infusions, decoctions and tinctures. Drunk as a tea, Bougainvillea extracts are employed against cough, sore throat, flu, fever, diarrhea, diabetes, hepatitis and liver problems, asthma, bronchitis, to reduce stomach acidity, dissolve blood clots, regulate menstruation and stop leucorrhea, and for anemia associated with gastrointestinal bleeding and epigastric pain.”
It’s a potent flower.
To make the tea, you will need approximately 6 bugambilia flowers for every cup of tea. Simply add the petals to boiling water and steep until ready to drink.
#4 Chilcuague
Chilcuague is a medical plant native to Mexico.
It has been used for centuries to treat various medical ailments, including digestive health, muscle aches, toothaches, respiratory problems, immune support, and more.
There are different ways to use chilcuague depending on the need.
For example, you can chew the root directly for pain relief.
When you chew the root, it will make you salivate strongly. Shortly after, you will experience a numbing, tingling sensation.
In order to add it to tea, you simply steep the root in boiling water.
[Related Read: Chilcuague: The Hidden Mexican Herb with Powerful Medicinal Uses]
#5 Agave
Agave has many medicinal uses. Because of its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, it soothes sore throats.
In fact, some parents use agave nectar instead of honey as a natural remedy for their children’s cold symptoms.
It can also boost immunity, which you want to do during cold and flu season.
Note – It is not recommended for pregnant women to take agave by mouth as it can stimulate the uterus and cause contractions.
#6 Manzanilla
Manzanilla, also known as chamomile, is well known for its calming and anti-inflammatory properties.
The calming effects are helpful for aiding relaxation and sleep, which is why it’s often used in aromatherapy, such as in air diffusers and candles.
Additionally, manzanilla is used medicinally to treat inflammation and relieve cold symptoms when used in tea.
Warm manzanilla tea will ease cold symptoms and help you relax and sleep.
Just how popular is this herbal remedy? According to one scientific report, “Many different preparations of chamomile have been developed, the most popular of which is in the form of herbal tea consumed more than one million cups per day.”
#7 Hierbabuena
Hierbabuena is an aromatic plant belonging to the mint family.
The scent is refreshing and helps to clear the sinus passages, aiding in decongestion and relieving cold symptoms.
It works well for steam inhalation.
Simply boil water, add the hierbabuena to a bowl, and pour the boiling water over the mint leaves. Cover your head with a towel and place it directly over the hot steam. Proceed to inhale the steam for several minutes.
[Related Read: 10 Mexican Superfoods with a Rich History – Recipes Inside]
#8 Aloe Vera
While aloe vera is most commonly used for treating skin irritations, it is also used to soothe cold symptoms and fight inflammation.
This is one of the Mexican cold remedies used for treating sore throats.
The aloe vera gel from the plant can be consumed in a juice to ease sore throats or gargled.
To gargle aloe vera, you must first dilute it with water (as it is too thick to gargle).
Here is a recipe for a basic aloe vera gargle.
- Combine ¼ cup of witch hazel, ¼ cup of aloe vera gel, 1 teaspoon of vegetable glycerin, 1 teaspoon of lemon juice, and 10 drops of tea tree oil. Put them inside a sealable container and shake well.[3]
- Don’t swallow the gargle. Gargles are not usually supposed to be ingested. While swallowing some aloe vera may be safe, some ingredients, such as tea tree oil, can be toxic when taken internally.
#9 Cinnamon Tea
A standard treatment for colds in Mexico is hot water mixed with cinnamon and honey.
Its anti-inflammatory properties help treat sore throats, and its antibacterial properties help battle cold symptoms.
Here is a recipe for Cinnamon Tea from Mexico in My Kitchen.
Ingredients
- 4 cups Water
- 2 sticks Mexican cinnamon, about 3-4 inches
- 4 tablespoons Fresh lime juice
- 4 tablespoons Honey
Directions
- Place the 4 cups of water and cinnamon sticks in a medium-sized pot to boil over medium to high heat (4 to 5 minutes).
- Reduce the heat to low, let the cinnamon simmer for about 12-15 minutes, and cover with a lid. This step helps to infuse the water with the cinnamon flavor.
- Note: The water’s color should have changed to a honey-amber color.
- Strain the tea to remove the sticks and any small particles. You can use a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth for this.
- Add 1-2 tablespoons of honey and one tablespoon of lemon to each cup.
- Add one cup of tea to each cup with honey and stir well to ensure the honey is fully dissolved.
- Garnish with lemon slices, if desired.
