Top 10 Teas to Calm Your Sore Throat

A hot cup of tea is the ultimate remedy for the winter chill. If you're battling a cold or flu, tea can complement your usual medications to help alleviate symptoms like a sore throat.

Not only does tea offer warmth and comfort, but certain blends can also support your body's fight against illness. Keep reading for 10 types of tea that can soothe your sore throat, plus some highly rated recipes to try this flu season.

Why Should You Drink Tea When You Have a Sore Throat?

Staying hydrated is crucial when you're unwell, as you've likely heard from your doctor. Drinking fluids keeps your throat moist, which helps reduce irritation and pain.

Hot drinks like tea and broth are incredibly soothing for an irritated throat—just another great reason to enjoy a warm cup of tea! Beyond hydration, certain teas can provide real health benefits and help combat illness.

While tea alone won't cure serious illnesses, many varieties are packed with antioxidants, compounds that can assist your body in fighting off colds and other viruses. Some teas and herbal blends also have anti-inflammatory properties, helping to reduce pain and swelling from a cold.

And of course, what's tea without a drizzle of honey? Honey is naturally antibacterial and helps coat the throat to relieve irritation. So, next time you're feeling sick, treat yourself to a few cups of warm, comforting tea.

Which Teas Are Best for Sore Throats?

While any warm beverage can help soothe a sore throat, if you're after a tea that really packs a healing punch, we've compiled a list of the best teas to calm your sore throat.

1. Licorice Root Tea

Licorice root tea is packed with antiviral and antimicrobial properties that can help combat the infections responsible for sore throats. Not only is it sweet and enjoyable, but it also boasts medicinal benefits. However, licorice tea can be harmful in large amounts, so it's best to consult your doctor before using it.

2. Chamomile Tea

Chamomile tea is renowned for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant qualities, which help reduce swelling and promote tissue healing. It's also an antispasmodic, which can alleviate coughing. Inhaling chamomile steam is another well-known remedy for easing respiratory issues caused by colds.

3. Turmeric Tea

Turmeric has been used for centuries in South Asia as a powerful antiseptic and infection fighter. You can either buy pre-made turmeric tea bags or make your own by adding ground turmeric to hot water and straining it. This golden root is packed with antioxidants, anti-inflammatory, and antiseptic properties, offering soothing relief for a sore throat.

Buckwheat Queen

More Turmeric Tea Recipes:

Ginger-Turmeric Herbal Tea
Farmers' Market Turmeric Tea

4. Green Tea

You've likely heard that green tea is good for you, but what makes it so special? This light, refreshing tea is rich in amino acids, vitamins, and minerals. Its true health benefits come from its high antioxidant levels. Research suggests that gargling green tea at a comfortable temperature may help alleviate sore throat symptoms.

Sherri

More Green Tea Recipes:

Citrus-Honey Green Tea
Throat Coat Tea

5. Peppermint Tea

Peppermint is known for its menthol content, which makes it a powerful decongestant and a soothing agent. It's also a great tea to enjoy before bed, as it aids digestion. The antiviral, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties of peppermint tea make it effective for tackling cold symptoms.

6. Marshmallow Root Tea

Don't be misled by the name—this tea doesn't taste like marshmallows (though that would be nice!). It’s made from the marshmallow root, which contains mucilage, a soothing substance that coats the throat. However, mucilage may interact with certain medications, so be sure to check with your doctor before using it.

7. Lemon Tea

Lemon is a great source of Vitamin C, which can help strengthen your immune system to fight off cold symptoms. Add a spoonful of honey for extra throat protection—or even create a comforting hot toddy!

Try These Lemon Tea Recipes:

Honey Lemon Tea
Lemon Spice Wellness Tea

8. Slippery Elm Tea

Similar to marshmallow root, slippery elm contains mucilage, which helps to coat and soothe the throat. It’s even used in some throat lozenges for pain relief, as noted by the National Institute of Health.

9. Black Tea

If you're feeling sick, skip your usual cup of coffee and go for a caffeinated cup of black tea instead. It will help wake you up and contains tannins, compounds that can reduce inflammation and ease sore throat pain. You can also gargle black tea at a comfortable temperature to further relieve inflammation.

Buckwheat Queen

Try This Black Tea Recipe:

Soothing Hot Ginger Tea

10. Ginger Tea

Ginger root is packed with antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that can help combat illness from the inside out. It may also assist in lowering body temperature and alleviating fever. For an added boost, sprinkle in some cinnamon to enhance its antibacterial effects.