4 best teas for a sore throat and their benefits

As the winter sets in, cold, cough, sore throat and body ache become far more common. They drain you of your energy, continually making you feel sick and weak. Fortunately, these symptoms can be curbed with a handful of effective home remedies that your grandma would swear by. Here we bring you 4 simple tea recipes that can instantly soothe your aching throat and speed up the healing process.

What happens when you have a sore throat? 

The scratchy aching sensation in your throat is usually due to a bacterial or viral infection. This causes inflammation and pain in the tissues in your throat, making it hard to swallow or even to speak. The soreness leads to a sudden change in voice, making you sound really sick. A steaming cup of delicious tea can provide immediate relief.

1. Chamomile tea

Getting proper rest is an integral part of recovering from sore throat. The dried flowers of Chamomile help you to do exactly that. Boil 2 tsp of dried chamomile flowers in two cups of water for 5 minutes. If you desire a stronger flavor, continue to simmer the tea for 10 minutes. You can add lemongrass to enhance the taste and its medicinal properties. Enjoy this cup of tea with a dash of honey.

Benefits:

• Antibacterial properties reduce infection
• Helps you sleep better
• Anti-inflammatory properties reduce soreness
• Increases lubrication in the throat, reducing cough and dryness

2. Turmeric tea

The medicinal properties of turmeric are well known in India since ancient times. To find immediate relief from a throat infection, a cup of hot turmeric tea is the perfect solution. Boil half a spoon of organic turmeric powder in 2 cups of water for 5-10 minutes. To enhance the flavor, you can add raw honey and a few drops of lemon juice to the tea and sip it.

Benefits: 

• Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties relieve throat pain
• Antiseptic properties eliminate the infection

3. Ginger Root Tea 

Ginger is a versatile herb, well known for its medicinal properties. It can be used raw, dried, powdered or in the form of essential oil to soothe sore throats. Take two tsp of fresh or dried ginger root and simmer it in a glass of water for 10 minutes. You can opt to add 2- slices of lemon or few drops of apple cider vinegar to make it tasty. Or you can simply enjoy the tea with a dash of honey.

Benefits: 

• Rich in antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, ginger helps eliminate bacteria
• Reduces throat irritation and cough
• Soothes the pain

4. Green Tea 

A cup of refreshing and aromatic green tea is not only helpful in weight loss but relieves sore throat effectively as well. Loaded with antioxidants, this tea is a quick fix to get throat irritation under control. You can brew a teaspoon of organic green tea or a teabag in boiling water and sip it hot. To soothe your throat, consider adding a few drops of honey.

Benefits: 

• Anti-inflammatory properties reduce soreness and pain
• Fastens healing
• Gargling green tea may help reduce infection

These herbal teas are the most natural remedies to ward off the common cold, flu or throat infection. Give them a try to uplift your voice and mood.