Feeling a bit down during winter? A cozy cup of tea can really make you feel better. Plus, if you’re dealing with a little cold or flu, tea can be like a sidekick to medicine, helping with things like a sore throat.
It’s not just about the warmth and coziness of tea; certain types of tea can actually help your body fight off sickness. But it’s not every kind of tea that does the trick. Check out these 13 types of tea that can make your sore throat feel better, along with some yummy tea recipes to try this cold and flu season.
Why is tea good for a sore throat?
Even if you’re not a big tea fan, having a warm cup when your throat hurts can be really nice. There are some good things it might do for you.
Tea has stuff called antioxidants. They’re like little helpers that can make it easier for your body to fight off sickness, like colds and viruses. These antioxidants can boost your immune system and help you heal. Some teas also have things that can calm down inflammation, which is like when your throat is all red and swollen and hurts.
Drinking liquids, like tea, keeps your throat from getting too dry and helps you not get dehydrated. This can make your throat feel less irritated and painful. According to the Mayo Clinic, warm liquids, like tea, can be especially soothing for a sore throat.
Tea is also great for adding honey, which is a natural germ-fighter and can make your sore throat feel better. Honey might even work better than medicine like Benadryl for cold symptoms, according to info from Canadian Family Physician. But be careful – don’t give honey to kids under a year old because it can be dangerous for them.
Which teas are good to sip on when you have a sore throat?
Wondering about the best teas for a sore throat? Well, any warm drink can help your throat feel better, but some teas really do the trick!
1. Ginger Tea:
Ginger is like a superhero root! It’s got stuff that fights germs and makes swelling go down. It can really help when you’re sick. Ginger might even bring down your body temperature and make a fever feel better. If you toss in a bit of cinnamon, it makes the germ-fighting even stronger.
2. Marshmallow Root Tea:
People have been using marshmallow root for sore throats and coughs for a super long time because it has something called mucilage. Mucilage makes a protective layer in your mouth that can help stop it from getting more irritated or dry.
Marshmallow root also has lots of antioxidants, like flavonoids and phenolic acids. These antioxidants might make swelling and pain go down and stop or kill germs that can cause infections. The stuff in marshmallow root can also help your cells heal.
It’s really important to get good marshmallow root extract that’s been tested by a lab. This makes sure it has enough of the plant’s helpful stuff and doesn’t have anything bad in it.
3. Turmeric Tea:
Turmeric has things in it that can help with sore throats in a few ways:
- It can bring down swelling.
- It might stop or limit infections.
- It helps your immune system.
- It can make your throat feel better by numbing it.
Scientists believe that curcumin, a part of turmeric, and other active things in it, do different stuff in your body to help it heal and reduce swelling.
You can buy ready-made turmeric tea or make your own by putting ground or freshly grated turmeric in hot water for a few minutes. If you want, you can add orange juice for flavor and extra vitamin C.
4. Green Tea:
You’ve probably heard that green tea is good for you, right? Well, it’s not just a tasty drink. It’s got amino acids, vitamins, and minerals that are really good for you. But the real magic is in its antioxidants. Some studies say that if you gargle green tea when it’s not too hot, it can help keep your throat from getting all sore.
5. Licorice Root Tea:
It’s not just sweet; licorice root tea has stuff that fights off viruses and germs, which can help when you have a sore throat. But be careful, too much licorice tea can be risky, so it’s smart to talk to your doctor before having a lot.
6. Chamomile Tea:
Chamomile tea is like a superhero with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant powers. It can reduce swelling and fix up your throat. It’s also good at calming coughs. Breathing in chamomile steam is a popular trick to help with cold-related breathing problems.
7. Lemon Tea:
Lemon is like a superhero with Vitamin C, which is great for boosting your immune system. Mix in some honey, and you’ve got a soothing protector for your throat. Or if you’re feeling fancy, make yourself a hot toddy!
8. Peppermint Tea:
Peppermint tea is really cool! It’s full of polyphenols, which are like superhero antioxidants that can make swelling go down.
Peppermint has something called menthol, and it makes a super cool feeling when it talks to calcium channels in your body. People have been using peppermint for a long time in different kinds of medicine, especially for sore throats.
You can get peppermint tea in little sachets or as dried leaves. The best way is to put the tea bag or leaves in hot water for 3–5 minutes.
9. Fenugreek Tea:
Fenugreek tea is like a helper for sore throats. It has things that can clear out mucus, clean up your throat, and boost your immune system.
Fenugreek also has antioxidants like phenolic acids and flavonoids that can make swelling and pain go away.
You can make fenugreek tea from the plant’s seeds or leaves. The seeds might have more of the good stuff for sore throats.
You can find fenugreek tea in little sachets, as powder, or as dried seeds or leaves.
10. Slippery Elm Tea:
Just like marshmallow root, slippery elm has mucilage to coat your throat and make it feel better. Some cough drops even use it for soothing throat pain, according to the National Institute of Health.
11. Black Tea:
When you’re not feeling great, swap your regular morning coffee for black tea. It has something called tannins that can help reduce inflammation and ease sore throat pain. You can even gargle with it when it’s not too hot to help with inflammation.
12. Peppermint Tea:
Peppermint tea is cool because it has something called menthol. That’s the stuff that makes it feel nice and soothing. It’s great, especially before bedtime, and it can even help with digestion. The cool part is that peppermint tea fights off viruses and bacteria, and it’s good at calming down inflammation when you have a cold.
13. Marshmallow Root Tea:
Despite the name, it doesn’t taste like s’mores (we wish!). It comes from the marshmallow root and has something called mucilage. This fancy word means it forms a coating on your throat, making it feel nice and soothing. But be cautious, it might mess with some medications, so check with your doctor first.
Other Ingredients that Might Help:
You can jazz up your tea with everyday stuff to make it even better for your throat. These extra things can help fight off infections or make the good stuff in the tea work even better.
These extras can also change how your tea tastes, making it sweeter or spicier. Here are some cool things you can add and why they’re good:
- Honey: It’s sweet and has good stuff that fights off bad things.
- Citrus Juices: Like orange or lemon juice, they’re not just tasty but also have things that fight swelling, make more spit, and help you heal.
- Coconut Oil: It fights germs, soothes swelling, helps the body absorb certain stuff, and makes your tea richer.
- Echinacea: It’s like a superhero for your immune system, fighting off bad stuff and helping you heal.
- Cinnamon: This spice is not just yummy but also fights off bad things, soothes swelling, and helps with healing.
- Cayenne, Red, and Chili Peppers: They have something called capsaicin that helps with pain and swelling, and they make your body make more mucus.
- Black Pepper: It makes your body absorb good things better, fights off bad things, and adds a kick of spice.
- Ginger: This spice fights germs, soothes swelling, and adds a spicy touch.
- Cloves: They help with swelling and fight off germs.
- Read more..Flat tummy tea and recipes
Types to Avoid:
If your throat is feeling not so great, it’s better to skip teas with caffeine. They can make your blood pressure go up or make you feel jittery.
Most herbal teas don’t have caffeine, which is good. Green tea has a bit of caffeine, but it’s a good choice if you’re trying to cut back on coffee but still need a little pick-me-up.
Read more…..Is green tea herbal tea?
Risks of Drinking Tea for a Sore Throat:
Before you try any herbal stuff for your sore throat, it’s smart to talk to your doctor. Some herbs might not get along with the medicines you’re already taking. And if you have certain health issues or have too much of some herbs, it could be risky. Like, drinking too much licorice root tea can be bad for you.
Herbs aren’t checked by the Food and Drug Administration, so they might have things in them that aren’t good. But if you get herbs from a good place, it’s usually safer.
Your doctor can tell you if there are risks with certain herbs, like if they might mess with your medicines or have other side effects.
Also, if your sore throat:
- Stays for more than a week,
- Gets worse, or
- Comes with other things like fever, chills, feeling sick, or throwing up,
You should definitely go see a doctor. They know best!
FAQs
What teas can I drink when my throat hurts?
If your throat is feeling ouchie, you can try some nice teas like peppermint, ginger, chamomile, or honey tea. They might make your sore throat feel better.
Is it safe to have too much licorice root tea for a sore throat?
Having lots of licorice root tea can be not so good for you. It’s smart to ask your doctor before sipping too much.
Can kids have honey tea for a sore throat?
Honey tea is good for soothing sore throats, but it’s not okay for little kids under one year old. It’s because there’s a small risk of something called infantile botulism.
Are all herbs in teas safe?
Not all herbs in teas are checked, and some might have things that aren’t good for you. It’s better to pick herbs from places you trust.
How long is it okay to have a sore throat before seeing a doctor?
If your sore throat sticks around for more than a week, gets worse, or brings friends like fever, chills, feeling sick, or throwing up, it’s time to visit the doctor.
Can I still drink black tea if I’m feeling under the weather?
Yep, you can sip on black tea if you’re not feeling great. It has things that can calm down swelling and make your sore throat feel less ouchie.
