A scratchy sore throat is a real misery, but a soothing cup of herbal tea can help to ease the pain and calm the irritation. Here are eight herbal teas to choose when your throat is sore.
—
There’s nothing better when your throat is sore than a comforting cup of warm herbal tea. While the warmth alone goes a long way towards easing the irritation, some herbs are particularly effective when your throat is scratchy and painful.
As well as soothing the symptoms of a sore throat, many of these herbal tea ingredients are naturally antimicrobial, meaning they can help your body fight off the bacteria or viruses that cause sore throats and colds. Combined with plenty of rest, these herbal remedies can help you recover faster.
Don’t forget to add some honey for extra sweetness. Its antimicrobial properties will boost the infection-fighting power of your herbal tea, and it will also soothe your throat.
1. Cinnamon
Warming cinnamon is a gorgeous spice to make your herbal tea extra comforting, especially when your throat is sore. Cinnamon is naturally antibacterial, making it a great choice for fighting off throat infections and colds.
Cinnamon is also a natural painkiller. And it is packed with antioxidants, making it an effective ally against inflammation.
We love to use cinnamon in our warming flagship teas. Our Liquorice & Cinnamon and Turmeric & Cinnamon teas are both wonderful blends to have on hand when you have a sore throat.
2. Liquorice
Liquorice may be best known for flavouring sweets, but this plant extract has been used in herbal remedies for centuries. One of its many uses is in treating a sore throat. It is even found in many commercial cough sweets and syrups.
The active components in liquorice can help to fight off viruses. It may act as a natural painkiller, in addition to being an anti-inflammatory.
Our Liquorice & Cinnamon flagship tea contains both these sore-throat busting herbs. You can also find liquorice in many of our other herbal teas. For treating a sore throat, find it in our NutraDefence tea, combined with other ingredients that support your immune system and ease the symptoms of colds, coughs, and sore throats.
3. Turmeric
Long used in Ayurvedic medicine, turmeric has become increasingly popular in the West for its anti-inflammatory properties.
This warming spice has many benefits, including soothing a sore throat. It is a powerful antioxidant and has antimicrobial properties, meaning it can help our bodies fight off infections and recover faster.
Our flagship Turmeric & Cinnamon blend is an ideal tea for when you have a sore throat.
4. Ginger
Ginger is one of the best-known herbal remedies for a sore throat. It has active ingredients that help to fight off bacteria and viruses, supporting your body’s natural immune defences so that you can recover quicker.
The compounds in ginger are anti-inflammatory and can be used to relieve pain. One small study also found that ginger is effective in reducing the risk of developing tonsilitis.
We use ginger as one of the ingredients in our NutraDefence tea, where it works with other herbs to boost your immune system and relieve cold and flu symptoms.
5. Green Tea
Packed with antioxidants, green tea is a popular choice for anyone wanting to stay healthy. All those antioxidants are great for helping your body fight infections and disease.
Green tea can also ease the pain of a sore throat. One study looked at the effect of green tea on post-operative patients, who often experience throat pain due to the tube used to help them breathe during surgery. The study found that those who were treated with green tea had significantly less severe sore throats than those who just had water.
If your sore throat has you feeling dull and low on energy, green tea can also give you an energy boost, which is why we use it as one of the main ingredients in our NutraBoost tea.
6. Chamomile
Soothing chamomile is always a favourite in herbal tea, especially in the evenings. The good news for anyone struggling with a sore throat is that chamomile is also wonderful for easing the pain.
Chamomile acts to lubricate the throat, helping to soothe that scratchy irritation that comes from a throat infection. It is also an anti-inflammatory.
Chamomile is known for its ability to help us sleep too, which is a bonus for anyone whose sore throat is keeping them awake at night. We use it in our NutraRelax blend to help you relax and get a good night’s rest.
7. Thyme
Thyme has plenty of uses in the kitchen, but its value extends beyond adding flavour to your Sunday roast. Thyme has antibacterial properties, making it a useful ally against infections that cause sore throats.
Thyme is also a traditional remedy for coughs. Studies suggest it is an effective one too, with patients reporting a significant decrease in the severity of their cough when they treated it with thyme syrup.
Since sore throats are often made worse by coughing, thyme is a vital ingredient in our NutraDefence tea.
8. Mullein
Probably the least known herb on our list, mullein is a hedgerow plant that has been used in traditional remedies for hundreds of years. It is most often used to treat respiratory diseases. However, it also has soothing properties that make it a great choice for alleviating a sore throat.
In test-tube studies, mullein has been found to be effective against influenza, which often causes a sore throat. It also helps to relieve irritation and inflammation, soothing a scratchy and painful throat.
Like liquorice, ginger, and thyme, mullein is found in our NutraDefence tea and helps to boost your immune system.
