You always opt for a cup of coffee in the morning, but when you have a sore throat, tea for throat relief should be your preferred beverage. Tea has been used for centuries in Eastern medicine as a method to enhance health and heal ailments.
Best Teas for Sore Throat Relief
1. Why Should You Drink Tea When You Have a Sore Throat?
The first reason to consider drinking tea when experiencing a sore throat is that tea helps keep the mucous membranes of the throat moist and alleviates pain.
Additionally, hydration can help improve symptoms of a cold caused by a virus or hay fever (though it won’t shorten the duration by more than 24 hours). Furthermore, many types of tea contain compounds that help combat inflammation and infection.
Therefore, a warm cup of tea should always be a preferred and recommended choice when you have a sore throat.
2. What Teas to Drink for Sore Throat Relief?
Below are 5 types of tea you should drink when you have a sore throat. If you are allergic or sensitive to caffeine or any tea ingredients, consult your doctor for suitable alternatives.
2.1. Chamomile Tea
Chamomile has a pleasant aroma, and research published in Molecular Medicine Reports indicates that chamomile tea may help relieve sore throats due to its plant nutrients that have anti-inflammatory and healing properties.
Moreover, chamomile tea is caffeine-free, meaning you can sip it at any time of the day.
Photo: Kim Phung SKHN
2.2. Turmeric Tea
Turmeric contains several compounds that can help reduce sore throat pain by decreasing inflammation and preventing infections. At the same time, turmeric tea boosts immune system activity and numbs the throat to relieve pain.
According to Medical News Today, turmeric tea can be made by steeping turmeric powder or fresh turmeric root in boiling water for a few minutes. You can add orange juice to enhance flavor and provide vitamin C.
Photo: Kim Phung SKHN
2.3. Green Tea
Green tea is an affordable beverage that is familiar to many Vietnamese people. Rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties, green tea is a great choice when suffering from a sore throat. Specifically, these properties come from a compound called epigallocatechin-3-gallate, which helps reduce inflammatory proteins in your body.
However, it is important to note that green tea contains caffeine, so you should not consume it all day, especially if you are sensitive to caffeine and want to relax for quicker recovery or avoid sleeplessness at night.
Although more research is needed on dosage and recommendations for common colds, this suggests that green tea may be a simple, effective home remedy for sore throats.
Photo: Kim Phung SKHN
Additionally, steeping green tea correctly is very important. Steeping for too long can make the tea bitter, so 3 minutes is just right for a flavorful brew.
2.4. Licorice Root Tea
Although licorice root tea has a somewhat difficult taste, numerous studies have shown its benefits in relieving sore throat pain.
A 2003 study published in the British Medical Journal concluded that licorice root, when combined with other herbs, could soothe the throat within 30 minutes. However, the downside is that it needs to be consumed regularly to achieve the desired effects.
A more recent 2019 study published in the journal Biomedicines found that licorice root tea has antibacterial properties that help relieve sore throat pain. This is due to two compounds in licorice root, Liquilitin and Liquiritigenin, which act as expectorants, meaning they loosen mucus and facilitate coughing. Additionally, licorice root contains Glycyrrhizin, which acts as a throat soother, providing a protective coating in your throat and potentially preventing irritation while swallowing.
Photo: Kim Phung SKHN
Although researchers note that more studies are needed to confirm these findings, this is a great step to support the use of supplements to help people alleviate sore throat pain.
2.5. Ginger Tea
Ginger contains compounds gingerols and shogoals that have pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory effects, which can soothe sore throat pain.
In addition to its soothing effect, ginger tea can also help you fight against colds or the flu. According to Insider, some scientific studies suggest that ginger may have antibacterial properties that can help combat viral infections that lead to sore throat.
Photo: Kim Phung SKHN
However, more research is needed to determine if ginger tea can help you fight illness, but there is no harm in trying ginger tea when you have a sore throat.
When Should You See a Doctor for a Sore Throat?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), it is important to see a doctor if your sore throat symptoms are accompanied by any of the following:
- Difficulty breathing or swallowing
- Blood in saliva
- Excessive drooling in young children
- Swollen and painful joints
- Rash
- Dehydration
- High fever that does not decrease with fever-reducing medication
- Worsening symptoms over time.
3. Frequently Asked Questions
– Can Tea Cure a Sore Throat?
While tea can provide the necessary hydration for those with sore throats and offer benefits from its components, this beverage cannot completely prevent sore throat pain.
Therefore, you should not consider tea a treatment method for sore throats in place of doctor-prescribed measures.
– What is the Best Drink for Sore Throat?
Besides tea, generally speaking, when you have a sore throat, hot beverages are the best choice to soothe the throat and reduce irritation.
Warm soups like chicken soup or bone broth with herbs and spices not only provide hydration but also help replenish nutrients and important anti-inflammatory compounds to soothe sore throat pain.
