Are you an avid tea drinker or, do you only reach out for that cup occasionally? Regardless of what your habits are in this regard, a warm and soothing cup of Herbal Tea can be a comforting addition to the day when you’re suffering from a sore throat.
Overview: Herbal Teas
Several types of herbal teas are especially helpful in relieving the symptoms of sore throat. Many teas have antioxidants that help the body fight off the illnesses related to cough and cold.
Pain and swelling are also a part of a sore throat. The anti-inflammatory effects of herbal tea blends help in healing tissues and keeping the pain at bay.
With that being said, here are the seven herbal teas that you can try if you have a sore throat.
Ginger Tea: Most Popular Amongst Herbal Teas
Ginger, honey, and lemon are the most commonly known home remedies for treating common cold symptoms, such as cough and sore throat. Grate a bit of ginger root in a warm cup of tea and take it twice daily until the sore throat goes away.
The common cold is also accompanied by fever, and ginger helps in lowering body temperature.
Honey and lemon juice mixed with water and fresh ginger root can make a useful and tasty drink for fighting the common cold. Just make sure you don’t put too much fresh ginger in your drink or the tea because that might lead to irritation or diarrhea.
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Cannabis Herbal Teas
Cannabis Herbal Teas is an excellent option for sore throats. You can make it in various ways. Either add cannabis tincture into your tea or boiling the dry flowers of cannabis in the water. You can also boil cannabis concentrates with water and tea leaves and add a little bit of butter or coconut oil into it to give it a latte-like texture.
To make it more beneficial and flavorful, you can add a handful of rose petals and chamomile along with dried cannabis flowers in the boiling water. When the tea is made, pour in some honey infused with cannabis. Cannabis has anti-inflammatory properties and works like antibiotics. It not only reduces the soreness of the throat but also chronic pain, anxiety and nausea to a great extent. It enhances your appetite. In many places, cannabis tea is used as a natural remedy for cold and fever.
Licorice Root Herbal Tea
Licorice root tea, just as slippery elm tea, is a common remedy used to relieve sore throats. It has immune-boosting and anti-inflammatory properties due to its glycyrrhizic acid component.
It works both as a tea and when you mix it in lukewarm water and gargle with it.
For preparing licorice tea, follow the directions given on the package. To get the best results, drink the tea while it is still warm. Remember that licorice root can be dangerous when taken in large quantities, especially if you are suffering from certain health conditions. Talk to a doctor about your condition before taking licorice root tea.
Horehound Herbal Tea
Horehound is an herb that is known for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. It has been used as an effective remedy for colds and sore throats for a long time.
Horehound tea might also be useful if you have trouble with mucus buildup in your throat because it works as a cough expectorant. This property of horehound has made it popular among the companies dealing with cold preparations, cough drops, and cough lozenges.
You will easily find horehound tea at the health food store or your local pharmacy. However, keep in mind that there are no studies found presently that outline the medicinal usage of horehound. Get your doctor’s advice before taking horehound tea for your sore throat.
Chamomile Tea
Chamomile tea is one of the favorites among tea lovers. It is not just one of the most commonly available herbal blends, but also one of the oldest herbal remedies. Multiple studies have stressed the potential benefits of Chamomile for the treatment of several conditions.
Evidence suggests that Chamomile tea helps in lubricating your throat, which is useful in keeping pain and hoarseness away. Chamomile tea has anti-inflammatory properties that reduce redness and swelling. The antioxidants contained in it are useful for tissue repair. Chamomile is also known for its antispasmodic action that helps in reducing cough.
Taking chamomile tea when you are suffering from a sore throat is particularly helpful because it helps relieve other cold symptoms. If you are not too keen on drinking Chamomile tea, then try inhaling its steam because even that will offer some relief to your throat.
- Turmeric Tea
Turmeric belongs to the ginger family, and you probably know it as a spice that is crushed into a bright yellow powder. Did you know that you can also use it in your tea? Turmeric tea bags are readily available in the market, but if you can’t get your hands on one, use ground turmeric for your tea.
For a cup of tea, add half a teaspoon of turmeric into boiling water and let it simmer for a few minutes. Strain the tea into your cup, and add a drizzle of honey for added benefits. Research suggests that turmeric comes with powerful antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties that might help you get relief from throat irritation or pain.
Green Herbal Teas
Green tea has been popular for a long time due to its weight loss benefits, but it is equally effective for soothing sore throat. It is a rich source of antioxidants and also contains potent anti-inflammatory properties.
Even gargling green tea is useful in relieving your sore throat. Scientists have noted that gargling with green tea helps ward off the symptoms of sore throat in postoperative patients. Moreover, green tea has multiple other health benefits that improve the body’s overall functions and speed up healing.
Make a cup of green tea and drink it while it is lukewarm. If you want to rinse it, then let it cool down to a temperature with which you are comfortable with. Gargle the tea for a couple of seconds and spit it out. You can rinse with green tea two to three times a day.
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Things to Keep In Mind When Drinking Tea to Soothe a Sore Throat
It is important to talk to your doctor before relying on any kind of herbal remedy, and that includes the ones suggested above. Some herbs have the potential to interact with the medications that you are already taking. Moreover, herbs can be dangerous if you consume more than required or suffer from certain health issues. Licorice root tea can be dangerous when taken in large quantities.
Besides, herbs are not even regulated by government bodies like the Food and Drug Administration. Thus, there is a high risk that drugs can be contaminated or contain ingredients not even mentioned on the label.
It is important to purchase herbs from reputed sources to get authentic products. Your doctor will help you understand the risks of consuming certain herbs, including their side effects and possible interactions with other drugs.
You need to seek medical attention for your sore throat, if:
- It starts getting worse.
- It lasts over a week.
- It gets worse.
- It includes other symptoms, like vomiting, nausea, chills, or fever.
Sore throats might signify something more serious. Don’t keep neglecting it for too long and visit your doctor.
Takeaway: Herbal Teas
Sipping on a warm cup of herbal tea can help in providing some relief to a sore throat. Even gargling on cool tea can be beneficial in getting some relief. For best results, you can add a bit of honey to make the tea even more effective.
However, as mentioned earlier, these are only home remedies and not the cure for a sore throat. Consult your doctor and take precautions accordingly.
