If you’re someone who loves a cup of tea, you know how comforting and soothing a warm cup can be when you have a cold. The moist fragrant tea vapour and hot flavorful brew always seems to do wonders for a sore throat! But did you know that some teas are better than others? Especially for healing faster and easing the pain more.
So if you’re currently sat there feeling sorry for yourself with a sore throat, dont worry! Today we will explore the best choices of tea for a sore throat, and why they work so well. Whether you prefer natural remedies, tasty treats, or just a simple way to boost your immune system, we can find something for you!
What Causes a Sore Throat?
We all know what it feels like to have a sore throat! For me, it always starts with a slight tickle in my throat, which quickly leads to a total meltdown of the tonsils. But what actually causes a sore throat?
In fact, there are many different reasons for a sore throat. So first, It’s important to identify the reasons for having a sore throat, in order to understand the best tea to choose. In a nutshell, sore throats are the result of inflammation or irritation in the throat tissue. These can be caused by various factors, such as:
- Bacterial or viral infections, such as strep throat, common cold, flu, or COVID-19
- Allergies, such as hay fever, dust, or pollen
- Dry air, smoke, or pollution
- Acid reflux, or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
- Overuse of voice, such as singing, shouting, or talking
- Injury, such as a cut, burn, or foreign object
How Can Tea Help a Sore Throat?
For most people, I think it’s a natural instinct to brew a cuppa’ once we start getting a sore throat. But I can guarantee you, most people are unaware of the reasons why tea is so soothing and beneficial for a groggy throat.
Obviously, drinking fluids in general is important when you have a sore throat, as it helps to keep your throat moist, reduce irritation, and flush out toxins. But warm liquids, such as tea, are especially beneficial since they can increase blood flow to the tissues, loosen phlegm, and soothe inflammation.
But not all teas are created equal. Some teas have specific properties that can help you fight off infection, reduce pain, and speed up recovery. So here are some of the common benefits of drinking tea for a sore throat:
Antioxidants:
These compounds are usually the first thing people point out when drinking tea for health issues. And for good reason! Antioxidants protect your cells from damage caused by free radicals, which are unstable molecules that can cause inflammation and disease.
Not only this, but antioxidants can help boost your immune system, which is your body’s defense against nasty germs. In general, green tea, black tea, and white tea are rich in antioxidants, (especially catechins) which have been shown to have anti-viral and anti-bacterial effects.
Anti-inflammatory:
Another crucial benefit of tea is from the anti-inflammatory substances which reduce swelling and inflammation, often causing pain and discomfort. So this if ideal for when you have those irritating and aggressive coughs!
For this purpose, anti-inflammatory teas are your best option as they can help to heal the damaged tissues and prevent further irritation. Chamomile, turmeric, and ginger are some of the most potent anti-inflammatory teas, as they contain compounds such as chamazulene, curcumin, and gingerol, respectively.
Antimicrobial:
Another useful remedy for a sore throat is the antimicrobial substances that love to kill or inhibit the growth of microorganisms. For example, nasty things like bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites.
Antimicrobial teas can help to clear the infection and prevent complications, such as tonsillitis, bronchitis, or pneumonia. Licorice, peppermint, and lemon are some of the most effective antimicrobial teas, as they contain compounds such as glycyrrhizin, menthol, and citric acid, respectively.
Analgesic:
Lastly, the analgesic substances in tea can help relieve pain. Much like pain-killers, they can somewhat block the transmission of pain signals to the brain. So this is likely why you get that soothing sensation when drinking tea with a sore throat!
Analgesic teas can help to numb the nerve endings and reduce the sensation of soreness. Adding clove, honey, or marshmallow to your tea can have some powerful analgesic effects!
The Best Choices of Tea for a Sore Throat
You can see why tea is such an amazing option for a sore throat now. So now you might be wondering what the ultimate tea for a sore throat is? Well, there are many types of tea available, and each one has its own benefits and drawbacks. So, in no particular order, we have compiled a list of the very best teas for a sore throat, based on their effectiveness, taste, and availability. So get your cup ready, and choose one of our top picks!
1. Licorice Root Tea:
This is regarded one of the best teas for sore throat, as it has both antiviral and antimicrobial properties helping to fight off illnesses that start a sore throat. It is also a natural expectorant, which means it can help you cough up the mucus and clear your airways.
Licorice root tea is very sweet and soothing, and can also help with other symptoms, such as cough, nausea, and fatigue. However, licorice tea can also have some side effects, such as raising blood pressure, lowering potassium levels, and interacting with some medications. Therefore, you should consult a healthcare professional if you have any concerns.
2. Chamomile Tea:
Chamomile is one of my favorite all-rounder teas, since it seems to treat anything and everything! More specifically, for a sore throat, it has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. These can help reduce swelling and repair tissue. It is also an antispasmodic, which means it can help relax the muscles and reduce coughing.
The beauty of chamomile tea is that it can also help with other symptoms, such as stress, insomnia, and headache. Chamomile tea has a mild and calming effect which I absolutely love! In fact, I drink this tea every single day, with or without a sore throat. Why not try our Lavender Chamomile Tea Recipe for an even more soothing experience.
3. Turmeric Tea:
This tea is a powerhouse for colds and sore throat, as it has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiseptic properties. These are all known to help fight infection, ease pain, and speed up healing. So this is a must-have tea for sufferers of a sore throat.
Turmeric tea is made from the root of the turmeric plant, which is a bright yellow spice that is commonly used in Indian cuisine. You can clearly see it has a strong color, which is usually a good indication that is possesses strong remedial qualities too! Its warm and earthy flavor can also help with other symptoms, such as congestion, fever, and inflammation. If you fancy turmeric tea, I advise you to double-down with our Ginger Turmeric Tea Recipe for the added analgesic benefits of ginger.
4. Peppermint Tea:
If you’re after a more light and refreshing remedy for a sore throat, peppermint tea is a fantastic option. Not only does it taste great, but it soothes the throat with antimicrobial and analgesic properties, helping to kill germs and relieve pain. For extra hydration, our Cucumber Mint Tea might be worth a try.
Peppermint tea is made from the leaves of the peppermint plant, which is a hybrid of spearmint and watermint. The cooling and minty flavor can also help with other symptoms, such as nausea, indigestion, and bad breath.
5. Honey Lemon Tea:
This is a classic and simple tea to enjoy with a sore throat. Honey and lemon both have antimicrobial and analgesic properties, great for helping to fight off infection and soothe irritation.
Honey lemon tea is made by adding honey and lemon juice to hot water, or to any other tea of your choice. In particular, adding black or green tea to this can make it even better. This tea has a sweet and sour flavor, and can also help with other symptoms, such as cough, dehydration, and vitamin C deficiency. Another great alternative to try would be the Honey Ginger Tea, which has the added benefit of ginger.
Tips & Tricks
Now you know some of the best choices of tea for a sore throat, you need to put them into good use! Making the best tea for a sore throat is not difficult, but there are some tips and tricks that can help you get the most out of your tea. Make sure to keep these things in mind for the optimal experience:
• Use fresh and high-quality ingredients:
The quality of your tea depends largely on the quality of your ingredients, so make sure you use fresh and organic tea leaves, herbs, spices, honey, and lemon. Avoid using tea bags if you can, as they may contain lower-quality tea or additives that can reduce the effectiveness of your tea.
• Add honey and lemon to taste:
Honey and lemon are great additions to any tea for sore throat, as they can enhance the flavor and benefits of your tea. However, you should add them to taste, as too much honey or lemon can make your tea too sweet or sour. This could potentially even worsen your throat. Generally, you should add about one tablespoon of honey and one tablespoon of lemon juice per cup of tea. But don’t be afraid to add more.
• Enjoy your tea while it is hot:
The best way to enjoy your tea for sore throat is to drink it while it is hot, as it can provide more relief and comfort. However, do not drink your tea too hot, as it can scald your mouth and throat and worsen your condition. Wait for your tea to cool down slightly before sipping it slowly and gently. If its too hot to drink, make use of the tea by ‘steaming’, or inhaling the moisture to relieve cold symptoms further.
• Drink your tea regularly and moderately:
Most importantly, you will best benefit from drinking your tea regularly and moderately. This is crucial for helping you recover faster and preventing recurrence. However, do not drink your tea excessively, as it can cause unwanted side effects or even interactions with some medications. Consult your doctor if you have any worries.
Conclusion
Tea is such a wonderful and versatile drink that can help with many ailments. But one of the most effective qualities tea has, is its ability to treat a sore throat. We all know how frustrating it is to get a cold or flu, so it best to try recover as possible. Whether you prefer licorice, chamomile, turmeric, peppermint, or honey lemon tea, there is a tea for you. If you try all of these teas for a sore throat, you will surely feel better in no time! And for a less natural alternative with a bit more potency, try Lemsip, which contains paracetamol for extra relief.
Discover More Tea-Related Articles:
- How to Make Thyme Tea in 4 Easy Steps (Plus 2 Delicious Recipes)
- How to Make Grapefruit Tea: A Delicious and Nutricious Drink
- Mixing Tea and Coffee: The Best Energy Boosting Recipes
- Echinacea Tea: How to Brew and Enjoy This Floral Elixir
- How to Make the Traditional Tea of Palestine – Shay bil Maramiya
Sources:
- 5 Natural Expectorants to Relieve Your Cough (healthline.com)
- 8 Herbal Teas to Relieve Aches and Pains – NutraTea
- Antioxidant and antibacterial properties of green, black, and herbal teas of Camellia sinensis – PMC (nih.gov)
- 5 Types of Tea That May Support Your Immune System (everydayhealth.com)
- The 6 Best Anti-Inflammatory Teas (eatingwell.com)
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