4-Ingredient Feel-Better Tea

Pull this easy, cold-fighting drink together with just four common household ingredients for a naturally powerful immune boost. Originally published January 2018. Last updated February 2023.

I grew up in a good ol' Southern household where sayings like "God made dirt so dirt don't hurt." and "Drink some water and lie down!" abounded. I also have a playful Nigerian dad who believes that slapping an injury will make it better (more like momentarily distract you from the pain) or that drinking scalding hot water will improve a cough. My parents both worked the in medical field and gave us plenty of conventional remedies growing up but it's the unconventional methods that stuck with me, for some reason. Probably because they were often effective. So it shouldn't be surprising that I'm sharing a cayenne pepper tea recipe with you today: my 4-ingredient feel-better tea.

If you're looking for more natural immune support recipes, you'll also love my sparkling gingerade tonic and sweet orange smoothie!

More Favorite Warm Drink Recipes

My friends and family members call me a hippie because of my preference for natural cures over pharmaceuticals. And I call this a "tea" but there aren't any leaves or bags involved. It's simply a warm, comforting drink with notable benefits for when I'm feeling under the weather and here are a few more:

Apple Cider Toddy

Haldi Doodh

Hibiscus Hot Toddy

Maca Latte

Quick How-to Video

When to drink it?

I recommend this it to all of my friends and family when colds strike and it's become something of a go-to in our circle. I whip up this tea at the first sign of a sniffle or throat tickle. Below are the simple steps to make it followed by the benefits of each ingredient. Obviously, I'm not a doctor or even a scientist so please don't take this as medical advice but rather a trick worth trying. Especially with the increased attention on immune support, my dad makes this as a ginger garlic cayenne pepper tea plus a few other things. We are not lacking in immune boosting drinks around here, ok?!

What You'll Need for this Recipe

There are just four cayenne pepper tea ingredients with some optional additions that we'll get into after the very short list. This is really a pantry recipe because you probably already have everything you need on hand!

• Raw Honey (preferably local)
• Cayenne Pepper
• Fresh Lemon
• Warm Water

Tips & Tools

As far as tools for this cayenne pepper lemon honey tea, grab a mug, a spoon, and maybe a tea kettle for the hot water. I bounce between a good old fashioned stovetop kettle and a ceramic one that I can pop into the microwave when I pressed for time. Also, feel free to heat up your cold and cough fighter tea by the mugful.

Four-Ingredient Feel-Better Tea Instructions

1. Squeeze juice of half lemon into the mug then drop in the squeezed lemon as well.

2. Next add the raw honey.

3. Then add cayenne pepper to your mug.

4. Fill mug with warm water and finish by stirring to mix all ingredients.

Cayenne Tea Benefits

• Raw honey is an age-old folk remedy with many reported benefits ranging from wound care to antioxidant richness. I use it in this tea because of its antibacterial and anti-fungal properties. Raw honey naturally contains hydrogen peroxide and is known to kill unwanted bacteria. I also use it for it's throat soothing properties. Additionally, raw honey contains phytonutrients, which help prevent inflammation.
• Cayenne pepper stimulates the mucus membranes of our nose and sinuses, which can lead to decreased congestion. Personally, I have found that it helps stimulate productive coughs.
• Lemon is obviously very rich in vitamin C and an immune boost doesn't hurt when you aren't feeling your best. Lemon juice also promotes hydration and reduces phlegm.
• Warm water is the vehicle that mixes and carries everything in this tea. There's a reason people tell you to hydrate when sick: fluids help thin out mucus and prevent dehydration, which takes energy away from your body's fight against a cold. I prefer warm or room temperature water to cold but it also helps dissolve and meld all the ingredients better.

What else can I add to this tea? I sometimes also add in garlic for its antiviral, antimicrobial, expectorant, and decongestant properties and ginger as it is another throat soother. These are optional and you will still get the benefits of cayenne pepper tea without them.

I hope this all-natural immunity tea recipe is a helpful addition to your cold-fighting routine. If you have any natural remedies you swear by, please drop them below. 🙂 And be sure to pin my natural immune support tea on Pinterest. Thanks for reading!

How to Make Cayenne Pepper Tea