Is Black Tea Good For Sore Throat?

If you have never had a sore throat, then you should be grateful for it.

A sore throat can turn your day upside down. You will have a series of inconveniences ranging from difficulties in speaking to making it difficult for you to eat, pain on the throat, and so on.

The good news is that you don’t have to go to the hospital or take medicine when you have a sore throat. You can go for home remedies that people have used over the years and take care of it effectively. Using black tea to cure a sore throat is one of the ancient home remedies that people use.

So, is black tea good for a sore throat? Yes, but how does it work?

Why should you take black tea when you have a sore throat?

As you may have heard from your doctor, taking fluids is essential when you are sick. Fluids help to do away with any irritation on the throat and also keep the throat moist.

Taking warm fluids is a home care strategy that helps to keep your throat moist and prevent dehydration.

Even if you do not regularly take tea, a cup of hot black tea always provides a soothing effect whenever you have a sore throat.

Tea may not heal serious ailments on its own. However, it comes with tons of health benefits that will help deal with some of the symptoms and also provide other effects.

For instance, how do you feel when you have a sore throat?

Whenever we have discomfort in our body, including a sore throat, we feel down and do not have the energy to face the day. So, apart from dealing with dehydration in the throat, black tea also works to lift your spirits and give you the energy you need to face the day.

Additionally, black tea offers other compounds such as antioxidants that assist your body in dealing with illnesses. The antioxidants also boost your immune system so that your body can fight off disease-causing organisms.

If you have a cold or any other illness caused by a virus, or you have a damaged tissue, the antioxidants come in handy to help in healing.

If you want to complement the health benefits that black tea offers, you can use some additives that also make the tea sweeter.

So, what additives can you use?

Additives to help with sore throat

Honey

Have you ever tried black tea with honey?

The result is just amazing. When you add honey to your black tea, one cup is never enough. But apart from the sweetness, honey comes with healing properties that complement the health benefits of black tea.

Honey is a natural antibacterial that helps to fight the bacteria on your throat that is causing you discomfort. It also coats the throat and helps to relieve you of the symptoms of the cold.

Honey is considered to be a better remedy to deal with colds, and sore throats than some antihistamine used to treat allergies and cold.

However, you should take care not to give honey to children who are less than one year old because of infant botulism. Infant botulism is an infection caused by bacteria, and it occurs in the large intestines of the infant.

The infection happens when the infant ingests Clostridium Botulinum spores, which are in honey. The condition causes difficulty in breathing, weak muscles, trouble feeding and swallowing.

Ginger

If you have a sore throat, a hot cup of black tea with ginger may be all you need. First, ginger helps to lift the taste of black tea and make it more pleasant and enjoyable.

Additionally, ginger comes with healing properties that help you deal with issues in your respiratory system. It helps to deal with congestion in your throat that may be due to a common cold.

Ginger also helps to fight all the symptoms related to your respiratory system that may be caused by environmental allergies.

What’s more? Ginger also contains a high level of antioxidants that boost your immune system. As such, your body can stand disease-causing organisms, including bacteria.

Lemon

A hot cup of black tea with lemon in the morning gives you the much-needed warmth when you have a cold.

Besides, lemon contains vitamin C, which is an antioxidant that helps to prevent you from getting a common cold. It also reduces the duration of the common cold when you catch one.

You can also pair lemon with honey in your cup of green tea, which will also help boost your immunity.

Peppermint

Black tea contains many components, which include antibacterial, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory ingredients that help deal with a sore throat and other cold symptoms.

On the other hand, peppermint contains menthol, which acts as a decongestant. It also has a soothing effect on the throat.

As such, a combination of black tea and peppermint is an effective remedy for a sore throat.

So, is black tea an ideal solution for a sore throat?

Yes, it is.

Black tea contains compounds such as tannin that will assist in reducing inflammation and also deal with a sore throat. Gaggling black tea can also reduce inflammation.

Additionally, you can add additives to your black tea, such as lemon, honey, peppermint, and lemon. The additives not only lift the taste of your black tea but also complement its health benefits.

Note, if your sore throat extends for more than a week or is accompanied by other symptoms such as fever, vomiting, and so on, then you should see a doctor.

Other health benefits of black tea

1. Oral health

Black tea inhibits the growth of bacteria in your mouth that promotes cavity formation and tooth decay. It also contains polyphenols that kill bacteria that cause cavities. It also restricts the growth of enzymes that form the sticky substance that binds plaque to the teeth.

2. Reduce the risk of heart disease

Individuals who consume black tea have a reduced risk of getting heart disease than people who don’t take it. Black tea regulates blood pressure, which minimizes the chances of getting a stroke and other heart diseases.

3. Prevention of cancer

Black tea contains antioxidants such as catechins and polyphenols that come in handy in preventing certain types of cancers.

For instance, women who have a cup of black tea regularly are believed to have a lower chance of contracting ovarian cancer than those who do not take black tea.

4. Stress relief and relaxation

Relieving stress and relaxation are some of the first reasons why drinkers cannot miss a cup of black tea every day. Black tea contains caffeine, which a stimulant. As such, it lifts your spirits, makes you alert and helps you concentrate on your tasks all through the day.

Additionally, it contains another compound known as L-theanine, which is an amino acid with a calming effect. L-theanine helps you to concentrate better and relax. It also ensures that the impact of the caffeine lasts for a better part of the day.

5. More energy

Black tea has a low amount of caffeine compared to other drinks. As such, it boosts your energy by increasing blood flow to your brain without overworking the heart. More blood in your brain gives you more power.

Black tea also stimulates your respiratory system, kidneys, heart, and your metabolism.

Final thoughts

Does black tea offer any benefits for your throat?

As we have seen, a cup of black tea is beneficial for your throat. For instance, a hot cup of black tea gives you the warmth that you need when you are cold. Additionally, it contains antioxidants which have healing properties on your sore throat.

Also, you can combine black tea with other elements such as honey, ginger, lemon, and others. With that, you boost your immune system and deal with the sore throat and cold symptoms.

Now you do not have to worry so much the next time you have a cold. Grab yourself a cup of black coffee and add your additive of choice, and you are good to go.