What Tea is Good for Sore Throat?

Sometimes, there is nothing more frustrating than a sore throat. Whether that means you are dealing with a nasty, chesty cough or have to result in writing down notes at work as you’ve lost your voice. Either way, a sore throat can be incredibly frustrating to deal with - especially if it leaves you feeling down or gets in the way of your day-to-day activities.  

As a result, this means that we begin searching for new sore throat remedies as soon as we start to feel that familiar (yet dreaded) itch at the back of our throat. Some of them may be stranger than others. For example, did you know that many cough remedies from the 16th century involved drinking vast amounts of wine?

Thankfully, there are thousands upon thousands of potential sore throat remedies online and in print - all put together to help to ease any of the symptoms you might be facing - thus helping you get back on your feet in no time at all! 

Sore throat remedies tea

One of the most popular ‘at home’ solutions to a sore throat is a delicious, steaming cup of tea. Not only does the warmth of the drink help to soothe any aches and pains that you might be battling, but the ingredients found within a cup of tea have been used to combat illnesses for centuries. In fact, tea was initially produced as a medicinal drink in China’s Yunnan province before becoming commercialized over time. This means that a quality cup of tea is far more than a morning pick-me-up or a great accompaniment to a slice of cake! 

However, if there are any doubts relating to the extensive health benefits of drinking tea - you need only to look through years of historical records and documents pertaining to its success as a medicinal product in order to understand just how effective it can be. Here are just some of the benefits associated with drinking tea to combat a sore throat. 

  • Increased energy levels, which can also see an increase in your mood.
  • Reduced swelling and inflammation of the throat/neck.
  • Reduced pain, meaning it will not have an adverse effect on your ability to concentrate and go about your everyday life. 
  • The chance to give your immune system a much-needed boost.
  • The chance to fall asleep quicker - without being interrupted by a chesty cough. 

However, with hundreds of teas on the market, it can be hard to choose exactly what products are best for you and your unique needs.  That’s where we come in to help. The below guide is designed to guide you through the best teas on the market - introducing you to a range of sore throat remedies that you may not have considered before. Each option has been carefully selected to help you feel like yourself once again.

Is green tea good for sore throat?

Is green tea good for sore throat? 

Green tea is one of the most popular sore throat remedies on the market, and for a very good reason. This is because it contains large amounts of polyphenols. Polyphenols are a powerful antioxidant, often found in green plants, flowers, and herbs - and have been used for centuries to help reduce inflammation. As a result, Green Tea is a great way to ease some of the symptoms often associated with a sore throat, such as inflamed or swollen tonsils. This may be particularly useful if you are experiencing severe pain in this area or are having difficulty swallowing or consuming food.  It is also rich in a variety of health-boosting vitamins, such as vitamins B1, B2, C, and E. 

As a result, Green Tea has also been shown to boost your body’s immune function, meaning it could speed up the rate at which you fight off infections while reducing the chance of catching a sore throat or cold in the first place. Furthermore, if you don’t like the taste of a simple green tea, you can purchase a variety of different fruit-based flavors online, such as: 

  • Peach Mango
  • Pomegranate 
  • Lemon 
  • Citrus
  • Acai Berry
  • Raspberry 

As these tea bags are infused with natural fruit juice, they come with additional health benefits alongside a fruity flavor! For example, pomegranate-based drinks also produce large amounts of antioxidants, which fight off infection by fighting your body’s free radicals, whereas citrus-based beverages are packed with vitamin C. 

In addition to sipping on a cup of tea whenever you are dealing with a sore throat, many studies have shown that it is particularly effective when gargled. Therefore, if you have a sore throat - it may be time to swap out your mouth wash for a cuppa! 

Is peppermint tea good for sore throat?

Peppermint-based beverages are often considered to be a seasonal drink - due to their association with the holiday period. However, despite what you may think, Peppermint tea is far more than a sweet-tasting treat to devour at Christmas,  as each and every sip also comes with a range of unique and unexpected health benefits. This is due to the simple fact that Peppermint (or peppermint flavorings, such as peppermint oil) contains menthol - an ingredient that is often found in sore throat remedies such as cough drops and liquid medicine. In fact, menthol has a long medical history - as it has outstanding cooling and soothing properties. 

This means it can help mask some of the symptoms you may be facing, helping you move on with your daily life much quicker. This could be particularly useful if your throat feels particularly dry or uncomfortable or you are frequently coughing. As a result, you may also find that it helps you drift off to sleep easier - as a sore throat can occasionally impinge upon your sleeping habits. 

Peppermint tea is also rich in a range of vitamins, including vitamins A and C, making it a particularly effective decongestant. 

Is white tea good for sore throat? 

White tea has a distinct taste and flavor, which makes it ever popular amongst tea-drinkers across the world. However, it also boasts a range of unique health benefits that you might not initially expect from the beverage. This is because it is less processed than its counterparts (black tea and green tea), meaning it often contains a higher amount of naturally occurring antioxidants. This means that it can soothe any of the symptoms you may be dealing with while also fighting off infections quicker. 

Is matcha tea good for sore throat? 

Matcha tea has a distinctly sweet, slightly nutty flavor which is simply divine. As a result, Matcha products have seen a distinct rise in popularity in recent years and are now available in numerous restaurants and take-out chains. Thankfully, it can also be a great way to fight off a sore throat - as Matcha contains numerous antioxidants. 

The most prominent antioxidants found in matcha green tea are known as catechins. They can help give your body’s immune system a much-needed boost - tackling a sore throat directly at its source while also preventing you from catching a cold in the future. Matcha is also stocked-full of vitamins, including vitamins B1, B2, B6, C, E, and K, and rich in health-boosting amino acids - thus cementing its reputation as a great drink that can help you combat a sore throat. 

Is black tea good for sore throat? 

Black tea is a great way to banish a sore throat and fight off infection simultaneously. This is because it contains large amounts of an organic compound known as tannin. Tanning has strong antiviral properties, meaning it can help your body produce necessary antibodies that chase away infections such as the common cold, the flu, or a simple cough. Tannin can also reduce inflammation around your throat and tonsils - meaning it is a great pick-me-up when you are dealing with a particularly difficult sore throat. 

Is Decaf Tea good for sore throat? 

Sometimes, when we are feeling ill - the last thing we want is to be kept awake, especially if you are feeling particularly worn down or struggling to fall asleep. After all, proper rest is essential if you want to recover - as it gives your body the time it needs to get back in top shape. As a result, you may be more likely to reach for decaffeinated beverages - which taste just as good as their counterparts but do not contain the same energy-boosting stimulants that could get in the way of your rest and recovery. While the presence of caffeine will in no way inhibit your recovery, some studies show that it can have a drying effect - meaning that decaffeinated alternatives may be your best option for a quick sore throat remedy. 

Furthermore, you may benefit from mixing it up a little throughout the day. For example, a caffeinated tea could be a great way to get your day started off on the right foot - providing you with the boost of energy you need to navigate your way through your busy work and home life. However, as things begin to wind down in the evening - a decaffeinated beverage may be a better choice, as it won’t stop you from falling asleep when your head hits that pillow. 

Does hot tea help sore throat?

When you are dealing with a sore throat, you may feel tempted to stick to cold drinks or even frozen snacks such as ice pops - as they can help lower your temperature and produce a distinctive cooling effect. However, there are many well-documented benefits of drinking hot or warm beverages such as tea when you have a sore throat. For example, warm drinks can help to reduce the amount of mucus in your throat and sinuses, thus easing any of the symptoms you may be facing - while simultaneously soothing the pain you are feeling. If caffeinated, they can also provide you with a much-needed boost of energy, which is particularly useful if your sore throat has left you feeling lethargic.

However, it is essential to note that if your chosen beverage is too hot - this could exasperate your sore throat further, reducing some of the associated benefits.  Therefore, as always, you should ensure that your drink is at a comfortable temperature before taking that first sip. Furthermore, some studies show that iced tea is also a great way to reap the benefits of drinking tea without risking the heat. You can make your iced tea at home by adding ice cubes and allowing the beverage to cool in the fridge!

Sore throat tea recipe 

If you are a big fan of simple, herbal teas but want to find a way to tackle your sore throat, there are many extra ingredients you can add to the mix to help you get back on your feet that much quicker. For example, you could quickly and easily create your own throat-soothing tea at home. Here’s a simple recipe that you could try out - using minimal ingredients. 

1  Cup of Hot/Warm Water

1tbsp of Honey

1 Slice of Lemon (Or lemon juice)

1 Slice of Ginger (Or ground ginger)

  1. Boil a cup of water, and stir in your honey.
  2. Squeeze the lemon over the cup. For a stronger taste, leave the lemon wedge in the cup when drinking.
  3. Add a slice of ginger (or a small scoop of ground ginger) to the cup and stir.
  4. Leave to cool slightly and enjoy. 

Variations of the above recipe have been documented for hundreds of years as an effective remedy for sore throats. This is due to a variety of reasons. For example: 

  • Honey acts as an effective ‘throat coat,’ which can soothe pain and stop mucus from building up further. 
  • Lemons, or lemon juice, are rich in powerful antioxidants and vitamin C. Vitamin C is great for sore throats because it can help you fight off sickness at a quicker rate. 
  • Ginger also has strong anti-inflammatory properties. 

However, you can add any extra ingredients that you feel may be beneficial. This could include: 

  • Sliced Citrus Fruits (Oranges) (Rich in both antioxidants and vitamin C)
  • Ground Turmeric (Contains anti-viral and anti-oxidant properties) 
  • Ground Cinnamon/Cinnamon stick (Anti-inflammatory and packed with antioxidants)
  • Chamomile (Distinctly soothing, anti-inflammatory properties). 
  • Licorice Root (Strong antiviral properties, prepped to fight against infection)
  • Marshmallow Root (Acts as a throat coat, preventing mucus or phlegm build-up)

What tea to make for sore throat

As mentioned previously, it can be challenging to decide exactly what drink is best when it comes to searching for sore throat remedies. 

In this case, the best thing you can do is focus on something that you already enjoy and a taste that you favor. This means that you know you’re going to enjoy the beverage ahead of time - instead of trying out some age-old remedy that tastes less than fantastic and boasts little results.  Despite what you may already think, you shouldn’t have to sacrifice flavor in order to get better - as there are plenty of delicious yet effective sore throat remedies out there. 

However, you should also research the drinks thoroughly ahead of time to find out more about the health benefits they offer - especially in relation to sore throats. As no one person experiences the same symptoms, it may well be that certain drinks are better for you than others. Taking time out of your day to do the appropriate research can help you combat your sore throat at a quicker rate - while stocking your cupboard up with the materials you need when the cold and flu season rolls around again. Once you’ve figured out which tea works best for you, you’ll never look back!

If you’re still a little unsure, here are some great suggestions to get you started! 

For green-tea lovers, we have a range of delicious and soothing green teas on offer that can help you feel like yourself again in no time at all. They are available in a range of distinct flavors and can be both caffeinated and decaffeinated, meaning that you can appreciate the benefits no matter your personal tastes. It doesn’t matter if you’re looking for a surge of energy or a helping hand to help you set off to sleep.  Alternatively, you could also set out to brew up your own matcha green tea or white tea. If you are looking for something a little sweeter, then peppermint teas are always the way to go. No matter what kind of product you are looking for - we’re sure to have something that fits your desires. 

No matter your personal tastes or preferences, we have a wide range of products on offer that can help you fight off a sore throat, without sacrificing in terms of taste and flavor! Furthermore, we strive to provide you with products at a fair and reasonable price, as health shouldn’t come with a price tag. If you aren’t sure about which exact choice to make, do not hesitate to get in touch - we are happy to provide you with some extra guidance and support!

April 05, 2021 — Alicia Avallone