Expert Picks: The Top 5 Teas for Soothing a Sore Throat

Teas for soothing a sore throat, It may be helpful to soothe a sore or irritated throat when fighting a cold. Learn from a registered dietitian and medical doctor how to soothe it with kitchen staples such as tea. If you’re suffering from a sore neck, a hot cup of tea is the best remedy. In Eastern medicine, tea has been used to promote health and heal illness for centuries. We don’t recommend that you throw out your antibiotics prescribed for the strep your child brought home. However, we want to share with you the latest research on tea and its possible benefits to treat a sore neck. Learn what nutrition and health experts say about the best teas for soothing a sore neck.

Why Drink Tea If You Have a Sore Throat?

Hydration is the biggest reason to drink tea when you have a sore throat. When you are constantly able to keep moisture in your mucous membranes, it can help lessen the pain. Tea is brewed using water and it’s an easy way to drink more fluids when you are feeling under the weather. This is because you lose water through sneezing or coughing as well as from sinus congestion, postnasal drainage, and sinus congestion. Hydration will help to improve symptoms from a viral infection or hay fever but it won’t reduce the duration of the illness by more than 24 hrs.

A warm cup of tea is always a welcome toddy for a sore throat. The warmth helps soothe the throat, while numerous teas have ingredients to help fight inflammation and fight infection. Also have scrambled egg with tea.

The 5 Best Teas for a Sore Throat

1. Chamomile Tea

It sounds nice. In addition, a study published in Medical Report suggests that chamomile has medicinal properties due to its phytonutrients. These may ease the pain of a sore throat. Tea not only helps lubricate the throat but also has anti-inflammatory qualities which may help reduce swelling and help repair tissue. This herbal tea has no caffeine, so you can drink it at any time.

2. Elderberry Tea

Elderberry, or black elder, is also known as Sambucus noir. It’s a popular European herb for treating colds and their symptoms, such as sore throats. Researchers studied the effects of elderberry on COVID-19 patients during the COVID-19 Pandemic. The results of the study were published in 2020 by the Advanced Integrative Medicine Journal. They suggest that adults who took elderberry within 48 hours after onset experienced a decrease in flu-like symptoms.

In a 2021 study, published in Advanced Traditional Medicine, researchers looked at elderberry or black elder and found that it helped reduce the symptoms of the common cold such as pain, fever, congestion, and cough. Elderflower is a subject of limited research, but sales of elderberry syrups or gummies have soared since these findings.

You can reap these benefits by purchasing elderberry tea from your local natural foods store or grocer. Sip on a cup while you relax and rest.

3. Green Tea

Green tea has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Green tea contains caffeine so if you are sensitive to caffeine or want to sleep, you may not want to drink it all day. An Anesthesiology & Pain Medicine study from 2016 found that patients who underwent an endotracheal tube intubation, and gargled a green-tea solution postoperatively, experienced a reduction in their pain. More research is needed to determine the best dosage and treatment for the common cold. However, this simple and effective remedy for a sore neck shows promise.

Over-steeping your green tea can make it bitter. She recommends steeping the green tea pouch or bag in boiling water for three minutes to get a bright, flavorful cup every time.

4. Licorice Root

It may not be your favorite flavor, but research shows that licorice root tea can help soothe sore throats. An excerpt from the British Medical Journal published in 2003 suggested that licorice was considered as a soothing agent along with other herbs to ease the pain associated a sore neck for up to thirty minutes. However, it required frequent intake to help the pain subside.

A study published in , Biomedicines in 2019 found that licorice tea had antibacterial properties which helped to ease the pain of a sore neck. Researchers note that more studies are required to confirm the findings. However, this is a positive step in supporting the use of complementary medicine to help people with their pain.

5. Peppermint Tea

Think again if you think that this flavor of tea can only be found in the candy-cane-lined holiday boxes. Peppermint’s medicinal properties have been studied for many years, due to its antioxidant, antimicrobial and antiviral properties. An article published in Plant Therapy Science in 2006 showed that although the studies on humans were limited, the antimicrobial and antioxidant benefits of peppermint tea are promising. Further research is needed.

The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health of the National Institutes of Health suggests that peppermint is safe and may even have some health benefits. A 2021 review published in Molecules examined all the benefits of the mint species Mentha. Researchers found similar findings to those of 2006: mint has a strong ability to reduce inflammation and infection due to microbial load in the body, but clinical trials and human research are lacking (or nonexistent). We hope that as science advances, more studies will be conducted on this herb. For now, if the peppermint extract soothes your throat, you can enjoy a cup or two of peppermint.

Choose a Trusted Brand

Every tea bag is not the same. Many teas and products that contain these ingredients , are not regulated. They are also not required to undergo product testing before they hit the shelves. Brands that have not been tested by a third party may contain contaminants or ingredients that aren’t clearly disclosed on the label. Look for products that have been certified by third-party testing to ensure the accuracy of the label. Also, always consult your health care team prior to trying something new.

When to See a Health Care Provider

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention it is important to consult a doctor if you experience any of these symptoms:

• Difficulty swallowing or breathing
• Blood in your saliva
• Excessive drooling (in young children)
• Joint swelling or pain
• Rash
• Dehydration
• High fever (that doesn’t subside after medication)

This list is not exhaustive. If you have any concerns or feel that your symptoms are getting worse, it is important to seek medical attention.

The Bottom Line

Doctors and registered dieteticians agree that tea is a good way to soothe a sore or scratchy throat. Tea is a great addition to your diet when you are recovering from a cold. It can help hydrate and reduce inflammation. Although there are few risks to adding tea to your diet, it is recommended that you seek medical attention if symptoms worsen or if you try anything new.

FAQs

Q. What is the best drink for a sore throat?

A: While you are feeling under the weather, adding soothing hot beverages to your diet is a great idea. While bone broths may provide additional protein, since you might not have much appetite, Herbs and spices can also provide anti-inflammatory compounds for your sore throat. The bottom line is that you should stay hydrated, whether through tea, broth, or plain water.

Q. Can tea stop a sore throat?

A: Tea can hydrate a person with a sore neck, but it will not cure the soreness. There is no regulation on the amount of anti inflammatory compounds in each tea bag. While it may not hurt, it will not necessarily be the cure all patients hope for.

Q. How do I get rid of a sore throat quickly?

A: Doctors and registered dieteticians agree that tea is a good way to soothe a sore or scratchy throat. Tea is a great addition to your diet when you are recovering from a cold. It can help hydrate and reduce inflammation. Although there are few risks to adding tea to your diet, it is recommended that you seek medical attention if symptoms worsen or if you try anything new.