Sore throat is more of a symptom than a disease. When it comes, you can only wait until it passes. The best teas for a sore throat contain chemical compounds to speed up the recovery process.
They may come from the “true” tea plants (Camellia sinensis) or other plants and herbs with healing qualities.
Warm tea is also great as a sore throat drink because it soothes the reddened throat. Here are several teas you can consume when sore throat comes.
1. Slippery Elm Tea
You probably seldom hear about slippery elm tea, but it is a traditional Native American remedy for sore throat.
It contains mucilage, a substance that produces mucus coat and lessens the painful exposure inside your flaming throat. It also contains tannins, which fight inflammation and speed up your recovery.
Recommended brands:
Heritage Slippery Elm Bark Powder
Heritage Slippery Elm Bark Powder comes in the form of a fine powder, ready to be mixed with hot water.
The powdered tea has a formula that soothes inflamed, irritated throat. It also helps in settling the digestive system, making you feel more comfortable when getting sick.
Traditional Medicinals Organic Throat Coat
Traditional Medicinals Organic Throat Coat is a tea that helps sore throat without caffeine intake. This kosher tea has a subtle, earthy flavor, with sweet and licorice-like notes.
The slippery elm also comes from organic, non-GMO sources.
2. Turmeric Tea
Turmeric has long become a part of traditional Indian medicine. It has antiinflammation and antibacterial properties, perfect to heal a sore throat.
Turmeric also has antiseptic and analgesic properties, which reduce the pain in your throat and speed up the recovery process.
Recommended brands:
Numi Turmeric Tea Golden Tonic
Numi Turmeric Tea Golden Tonic contains turmeric, lime, and lemon verbena. The result is a caffeine-free blend full of vitamins and antioxidants.
The flavor is earthy, but with little notes of sweetness and citrus. The product is kosher, organic, gluten-free, and non-GMO.
Celebration Herbals Organic Turmeric, Ginger, Lemon
This turmeric tea contains real turmeric, lemongrass, and ginger extracts. The flavor is smoother than actual turmeric powder.
The lemongrass and ginger add a little warmth, perfect if your sore throat comes with a cold or flu.
3. Licorice Root Tea
Licorice root is the best tea for sore throat and cough. It contains demulcent and expectorant properties, which allow you to breathe and ease your coughing.
Licorice also has a soothing effect on the inflamed throat and apply the medication.
Recommended brands:
Stash Tea Licorice Spice Herbal
Stash Tea Licorice Spice Herbal contains extra ingredients that improve your throat condition quickly. Aside from the caffeine-free licorice, you also get cinnamon, citrus peel, and star anise.
All the extra ingredients also have the right chemical compounds to heal a sore throat.
Buddha Teas Organic Licorice Root Tea
Licorice root tea from Buddha Teas is organic, GMO-free, kosher, and decaffeinated. It contains vitamin C, antioxidants, and flavonoids, which help speed up your recovery.
The tea has a subtle earthy flavor with a mild tone of sweetness.
4. Chrysanthemum Tea
Chrysanthemum tea is a delicious flower tisane with a mild flavor. It soothes your inflamed throat and fights bacteria. You can also consume chrysanthemum tea if your throat becomes so painful you cannot swallow.
If the sore throat comes with fever, chrysanthemum tea can help you reduce it.
Recommended brands:
Moyishi Organic Chrysanthemum Tea
Moyishi gets its chrysanthemum flowers from the mountain range of An Hui Province. The tea comes in the form of whole dry flowers, shriveled and ready to brew by pouring it with hot water.
The flavor is mild, refreshing, and slightly sweet.
Ten Ren Eight Treasures
Ten Ren Eight Treasures provides you with ready-to-make chrysanthemum blend. Each pack contains a mix of chrysanthemum, licorice, raisin, rose, and green tea.
The pack already has rock sugar inside, so it is perfect if you like drinking sweet, hot, healthy herbal concoctions.
5. Green Tea
Green tea is processed in a minimum way (although not like white tea), keeping most of its antioxidants intact. It is an ideal brew to speed up the sore throat recovery.
However, since green tea contains caffeine, make sure to find the brands that have no caffeine.
Recommended brands:
The Republic of Tea Decaf Green Tea (Peach and Ginger)
The Republic of Tea produces a delicious decaf green tea with ginger and peach flavors. The product is gluten-free and sugar-free. You can enjoy the tea without having to worry about caffeine.
The flavor is mild and easy on the throat. The tea does not taste bitter even when you accidentally brew it too long.
Tetley Decaffeinated Green Tea
Tetley Decaffeinated Green Tea is organic and has sustainable packaging. The tea also offers mild flavor, which does not become bitter even after being left for hours.
The high-quality tea gives you a lot of antioxidants, perfect for getting better after experiencing a sore throat.
6. Marshmallow Root Tea
Like licorice root, marshmallow root was known as a natural remedy by the ancient civilizations. People used to boil the root to produce sweet syrup, which they consumed to heal sore throat and coughing.
The root contains mucilage, which coats the inflamed throat with some mucus. It helps to alleviate the pain, especially when you are trying to eat.
Recommended brands:
Celebration Herbals Organic Marshmallow Root Tea
This marshmallow root tea by the Celebration Herbals is organic, without preservations and traces of pesticide. The flavor is light and subtle, with a hint of natural sweetness.
You should drink it when your throat becomes so painful you have a hard time swallowing.
Choice Organic Throat Cozy
As the name suggests, Choice Organic Throat Cozy is designed to soothe a tortured throat. Aside from the marshmallow root, Choice Organic also contains licorice root.
Both ingredients coat the inflamed surface, reduce coughing, and speed up the recovery. The flavor is mild with a subtle sweetness.
Is tea good for a sore throat? Yes, in a sense that it soothes a burning throat. However, since sore throat is not a “disease,” you need to sit through it. The right tea may soothe your throat, but it does not instantly heal.
Conclusion
Sore throat is a symptom, which means you must have a strong immunity to face it. The best teas for a sore throat contain ingredients that reduce inflammation and cover the throat surface.
Choose the tea variant wisely before soothing your throat with a nice cup of tea.
