Our top picks for teas for a sore throat or cough
We turn to these teas when we're dealing with scratchy throats, sniffles, and just generally feeling run down by winter weather.
1. Chamomile tea
Chamomile has been used in herbal medicine for hundreds of years, and has a light, floral character and healing properties that will have you feeling better in no time. Chamomile is especially effective at soothing a sore throat. Some other benefits of chamomile tea include calming nerves, promoting relaxation, and inducing sleep.
Our Egyptian Chamomile is made from whole chamomile flower heads, and brews up a bright gold color with a lovely natural sweetness. We also carry several other blends with chamomile in them. For additional throat-soothing benefits, add a dollop of honey and enjoy!
Our pick: Egyptian Chamomile Herbal Tea
Our Egyptian Chamomile is made from the highest quality organic chamomile sourced from Egypt. This single-ingredient herbal tea is characterized by large, fragrant chamomile flower heads, and brews up into a lovely gold-colored infusion, with a mellow natural sweetness and notes of straw, honey, and apples.
2. Licorice root tea
Licorice root has been used in traditional Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine for centuries to treat sore throats and other illnesses. Licorice root contains antiviral and antimicrobial properties that help to protect against disease and ward off potential sore throat causes.
Other licorice root tea benefits include aiding digestion, reducing inflammation, and boosting your immune system. imparts a lingering sweetness to whatever tea it’s added to, and makes for a tasty, healthful treat whenever you’re feeling under the weather. When consumed in excess, licorice root can have adverse side effects, so it’s a good idea to sip these teas in moderation.
Our pick: Sing Your Song Herbal Tea
One of Santa Fe's local opera singers began drinking this tea to help keep her voice in perfect condition, so we've named the blend "Sing Your Song" in her honor. Warming and nourishing, this blend is great for soothing scratchy throats.
3. Turmeric tea
A staple of traditional herbal medicine that has recently seen a surge in popularity in the Western world, turmeric contains a variety of health benefits, and can help to ease the pain of a sore throat. Turmeric contains a beneficial compound called curcumin, which has been shown to have a variety of antibacterial, antimicrobial, and antiviral properties.
Other turmeric tea benefits include reducing inflammation, improving mental focus, and boosting mood. Turmeric is part of the ginger family, and imparts a bright yellow-orange color to teas. It has a woody, slightly spicy taste, and is a soothing addition to tea that will have you feeling better in no time.
Our pick: Turmeric Mango Green Tea
Turmeric Mango blends green tea with turmeric, ginger, mango, pineapple for a luscious and fruity tea with spicy and earthy notes. Light, bright, and full of flavor!
4. Peppermint tea
Peppermint is another common herbal tea with many health benefits that can help to soothe a sore throat. Peppermint contains menthol, which is an effective decongestant with cooling, soothing properties.
Some other benefits of peppermint tea include aiding in digestion and reducing stress, which makes it a great choice for a tea to wind down with before bed. We carry a variety of herbal and caffeinated blends that contain peppermint. If you’re suffering from a sore throat, try a fresh, minty cup of tea to ease your symptoms!
Our pick: Lavender Mint Herbal Tea
One of our most popular herbal teas, Lavender Mint is a simple but satisfying herbal blend. Calming lavender blossoms complement cooling peppermint for a fresh, lightly floral cup that tastes great hot and makes a superb iced tea.
5. Ginger tea
A common ingredient in herbal medicine, ginger root is yet another herbal addition that can help to soothe the symptoms of a sore throat. Ginger contains a wealth of antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, helping to fight off the causes of a sore throat at their root.
In addition, other ginger tea benefits include reducing nausea, soothing inflammation, and aiding in digestion. We carry a variety of teas with ginger in them, from traditional chai blends to caffeine-free herbal alternatives.
Our pick: Atomic Gold Herbal Tea
Sweet and spicy, warm and soothing, and packed with powerhouse ingredients, Atomic Gold is our most popular herbal tea! This remarkable blend of turmeric, ginger, licorice, lemongrass, and orange has a deep and satisfying flavor and brews up a beautiful bright gold color.
6. Cinnamon tea
Cinnamon is a tasty spice with anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, which can help to soothe a sore throat. Other cinnamon tea benefits include boosting heart health and brainpower.
Cinnamon is a common ingredient added to spiced tea blends. For a traditional cinnamon-spiced tea, try a spiced black tea blend with a dash of milk and honey. We also carry a variety of herbal options that are a great way to enjoy a soothing, flavorful cup without the caffeine.
Our pick: Cinnamon Pu-erh
Cinnamon Pu-erh combines dark, aged pu-erh tea leaves with cinnamon, ginger, and orange peel for a warming, restorative blend. Pu-erh is dark and full-bodied, but low in tannins and smoother than black tea.
7. Chai tea
Chai tea contains several different ingredients that can help with sore throats, including ginger, cinnamon, cardamom, and cloves. Other chai tea benefits include boosting your immune system, reducing nausea, and soothing headaches.
Classic Masala Chai is a great option for those looking for a classic cup of chai. But we also offer several different twists on the traditional chai blend, including Chimayo Chai, which features crushed red chile, and Green Tea Chai, which has a green tea base. We also offer a caffeine-free version of chai in Rooibos Chai.
Our pick: Masala Chai Black Tea
This traditional chai blend includes cinnamon, cardamom, ginger root, and cloves blended with premium Ceylon tea. Add milk and honey for a classic sweet, milky chai, or try it alone for a spicier cup.
8. Tea with lemon and honey
While lemon and honey may not be an ingredient of tea in of themselves, they’re a common and effective herbal remedy for soothing a sore throat. A dash of honey and lemon juice can brighten up both caffeinated and herbal teas, but we think it pairs especially well with a classic black tea. Honey helps to soothe the throat and protect against irritants, while lemon juice is chock full of vitamin C. You can enjoy tea with lemon and honey as a soothing, healthful drink on its own, or add a splash of brandy for a medicinal hot toddy!
Using tea to treat a sore throat or cough
While you should always seek out the help of a medical professional if you’re experiencing a serious illness, herbal remedies like tea have been used for centuries in order to treat minor ailments and illnesses. Herbal teas have a wealth of beneficial properties that can help to soothe the symptoms of illness and to ward off future disease. Caffeinated teas made from the camellia sinensis plant also contain additional healthful properties. These include antioxidants, which help to protect against degenerative disease and promote cellular health, and a compound known as l-theanine, which helps to induce calm and relaxation.
Aside from these beneficial properties, the warmth and steam of a hot cup of tea can soothe a sore throat and promote a faster recovery. Tea helps to hydrate the body, which is another important factor in overcoming illness. With all of these benefits and more, you’re sure to be feeling better in no time!
FAQs
Is green tea good for a sore throat?
Depending on the blend, green tea can help to soothe a sore throat. Blends with ingredients like cinnamon, ginger, peppermint, and licorice can be especially beneficial. Green tea is also high in antioxidants and contains anti-inflammatory properties, which can help to soothe sore throat symptoms and promote overall health.
Is hot tea good for a sore throat?
Hot drinks are good choices for treating a sore throat, since warmth can help to soothe the pain. Tea in particular is a good choice, since it often contains beneficial ingredients like ginger or chamomile. For an added benefit, you can add a dollop of honey to your tea for addition soothing, antibacterial properties.
Is lemon ginger tea good for a sore throat?
Lemon and ginger is a great combo for banishing sore throat symptoms. You can make your own lemon ginger tea at home with ginger root, fresh lemon juice, honey, and hot water, or you can purchase a pre-made loose leaf tea blend with lemon and ginger, like Atomic Gold.
