13 Best Tea For Sore Throat : Tea has been used as a natural remedy for sore throat and common cold related cough for centuries. If you are looking for a tastier alternative for soothing the throat and cough than gargling salt water, some herbal teas might help more. However, be careful about the tea temperature. Avoid drinking hot tea or your condition might even get worse. Science says that caffeine should be avoided too. Although green tea is packed with antioxidants and might provide great benefits, it might be more suitable for prevention than treatment. Find out what are the 13 best herbal teas for soothing a sore throat or bad cough.
The 13 Best Teas For A Sore Throat
Table of Contents
1. Licorice Root Tea
Licorice root tea is an herbal tea made by steeping the root of the licorice plant in boiling water. Licorice tea can help eliminate symptoms of the cold and flu by targeting the viruses and bacteria that cause the illness, to begin with.
According to one study in Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B, the herb has been a staple of Chinese medicine for centuries and it contains more than 300 flavonoids that boost overall health. Researchers found that licorice tea boasts anti-inflammatory properties and antibacterial powers that help to induce death of viral cells (7).
2. Green Tea
Green tea is renowned for its extensive health benefits. Studies show that it can help accelerate weight loss and decrease the risk of heart disease (4). It’s also packed with healthy antioxidants that can boost immunity and help you defeat a cold faster. One of these antioxidants is known as EGCG or epigallocatechin gallate. It’s been shown to have antiviral activities on diseases including influenza A and adenovirus—a virus that causes cold-like symptoms including a sore throat and bronchitis (5).
A study published in Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine found that green tea helped soothe sore throat pain associated with tracheal intubation. The green tea was used as a gargle and showed significant effects 12 to 24 hours after intubation (6).
3. Black Tea
Like green tea, black tea contains tannins and antioxidants that boost immune health and help your body fight off infections faster. One study showed that drinking five cups of tea per day helped boost the production of T cells—a potent immune response to pathogens and infections—ten fold (13). Essentially, the tea works by boosting the body’s natural defenses, helping you defeat cold symptoms like a sore throat faster.
4. Ginger Root Tea
Ginger is one of the most renowned herbs when it comes to traditional medicine. The essential oil is used to alleviate symptoms of nausea and the tea can be used to soothe an irritated throat. Ginger tea contains antibacterial and anti-inflammatory compounds known as gingerol and shogaol. These compounds help to fight off infections by targeting the bacteria and viruses that make you sick.
A study published in the Indian Journal of Dental research found that ginger is effective in treating disease including Streptococcus mutans and Candida albicans (11). Drinking ginger tea can help heal by eliminating the harmful pathogens that cause sore throat symptoms.
5. Turmeric Tea
The turmeric root comes from the same family of plants as ginger tea. Turmeric tea also offers similar health benefits as ginger tea when it comes to fighting cold symptoms. The tea is usually made using the whole or ground root of the turmeric plant. It is vibrant yellow in color and can stain, so be careful when brewing this healthy sore throat tea.
Studies show that turmeric boats antibacterial and antiviral properties that help to treat a sore throat at the cause. It may also increase the efficacy of certain antimicrobial medications by enhancing synergism (12).
6. Chamomile Tea
Chamomile tea is one of the most famous cups of tea for when you’re feeling under the weather. It’s also one of the longest researched Chinese home remedies. It boasts antibacterial properties that fight off bacterial infections while offering a calming effect that helps you relax and eases pain. Three are two types of chamomile tea: Roman chamomile and German chamomile. Both work by coating your throat and increasing lubrication, which decreases pain (1). It’s one of the main ingredients in throat coat teas for that reason.
Chamomile tea also boasts anti-inflammatory capabilities, which help to soothe sore throat pain and redness. It’s naturally caffeine-free so you can drink it all day long. The tea’s soothing properties can also help you sleep better so it’s the perfect nighttime tea when you’re feeling sick.
7. Marshmallow Root Tea
This tea is made using marshmallow root—an herb native to Europe and Africa. Like slippery elm tea, it contains mucilage, offering throat pain relief by coating the mucous membranes (9). Additional research shows that marshmallow root tea may also help alleviate cough—a cold symptom that can worsen sore throat pain (10).
8. Rooibos Tea
Rooibos is a herbal tea made from south African plant called red bush. Although not as popular for treating the symptoms of common cold, this tea may be very helpful. Packed with antioxidants and naturally caffeine free, rooibos may help with soothing the throat and cough. Unlike most other herbal teas, it may provide relief for children too. Brew one teaspoon of rooibos tea in a cup of boiling water for 5-10 minutes.
9. Honeybush tea
Honeybush is another caffeine free tea, with a flavor similar to rooibos tea. It has been traditionally used as a “medicinal concoction for soothing coughs, alleviating bronchial complaints.[7]” Honeybush is naturally sweet, with leaves resembling yerba mate leaves. Brew one teaspoon of honeybush tea in a cup of boiling water for 5-10 minutes.
10. Anise Seed tea
Anise seed is a sweet seed often used to replace licorice in many food products. It’s added to many tea blends both because of the flavour and potential benefits. It’s may help with treating cough, asthma and respiratory infections and may help strengthen the immune system[18].
11. Ginseng
Being an adaptogen, ginseng is often used for improving the overall quality of life in Asian countries. Ginseng may help with boosting immune system and reduce the chance of getting catching a cold. Some studies showed that it may help with acute respiratory infections that prevent normal breathing.
12. Fennel tea
Fennel is used around the world and an important part of herbal medicines. It may help with reducing fever and treating a cough. It has anti-inflammatory properties and may help with decongesting the sinuses.
13. Plantain tea
Plantain is a herb native to Europe and Asia, often growing as a weed around the world[12]. It’s often used for wound healing, lowering fever, and treating bronchitis because of its soothing properties[13]. Studies showed that hot plantain tea may help with viral infections such as malaria and may help with bacterial and fungal infections too.
Sources:
1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2995283/
2. https://www.ejmanager.com/mnstemps/61/61-1332180273.pdf?t=1548775701
3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19597519
4. https://www.health.harvard.edu/heart-health/green-tea-may-lower-heart-disease-risk
5. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3594666/
6. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5018145/
7. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4629407/
8. https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-978/slippery-elm
9. https://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/acs.jnatprod.6b00670
10. https://www.karger.com/Article/Abstract/88934
11. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24047828
12. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4022204/
13. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC156317/
What are the risks of drinking tea for a sore throat?
Before you try any type of herbal remedy, it’s best to check with your doctor. Some herbs can interact with medications that you might be taking. Some herbs can also be dangerous if you have certain health conditions or consume too much of them. For example, licorice root tea can be toxic if you drink too much of it. Herbs are not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration, and they can be contaminated or even have ingredients that differ from what’s on the label. If you choose herbs from reliable sources, it tends to be safer.
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