Hot Drinks to Treat Sore Throat

 Are there hot drinks to treat a sore throat?

Fluids help cleanse the mucous membranes, maintain mucus flow, and reduce the risk of sinus infections. Warm drinks can also help reduce coughing by soothing the throat. It is generally recommended to try both warm and cold fluids to find what works best for the individual’s sore throat.

It is important to avoid very hot fluids and stick to warm drinks, as hot drinks can exacerbate throat irritation. Consulting a doctor is crucial if the sore throat persists for more than a few days or if there is severe pain. There are many steps that can be taken to alleviate sore throat pain and promote healing. Water is a good option that may help reduce throat inflammation. Other options to consider include:

Warm Lemon Drink: A popular drink widely used, although there is no conclusive evidence that lemon tea helps relieve sore throat. The popularity of lemon drink is due to its high vitamin C content. Interest in using vitamin C to alleviate colds has been around since the 1940s, but clinical trial results are still mixed. A review of several studies published in The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews in 2000 indicated that vitamin C intake may reduce the duration of colds, but this is still not confirmed.

Warm Black Tea: A cup of warm, not hot, black tea (Camellia sinensis) can help soothe a sore throat. Black tea contains tannin, which helps shrink swollen tissues. Concentrated black tea can also be used as a gargle several times a day.

Herbal Drinks Beneficial for Sore Throat: Consuming various herbal drinks can help relieve sore throat by reducing pain, inflammation, or eliminating bacteria. Despite the traditional use of some common herbal plants, scientific research is still needed to prove their effectiveness and safety. Therefore, it is essential to consult a doctor before using herbal plants. Some of these herbs include:

Slippery Elm: Used since ancient times to relieve sore throat, dry cough, or laryngitis. It is an ingredient in some throat lozenges. The inner bark of the slippery elm tree forms a thick gel when mixed with water, which coats the throat and alleviates pain. However, a preliminary study published in the Journal of Investigational Biochemistry in 2012 found no scientific evidence supporting the benefits of slippery elm for upper respiratory tract inflammation.

Marshmallow Root: A study published in Complementary Medicine Research in 2018 indicated that using marshmallow root extract tablets or syrup for 7 days to relieve dry cough showed good results in alleviating mouth or pharyngeal irritation and associated dry cough. Most cases observed a very rapid effect within 10 minutes, and it was well tolerated by study participants, although three mild symptoms were reported.

Peppermint: Contains menthol, which helps thin mucus and soothe sore throat and cough. Peppermint also has anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antiviral properties that may aid in the body’s healing processes. According to a review published in Phytotherapy Research in 2006, which examined the analgesic effects of peppermint oil.

Herbal Drinks Beneficial for Sore Throat

Consuming various herbal drinks can help relieve a sore throat by reducing pain, inflammation, or eliminating bacteria. However, it is important to note that despite the traditional use of some common herbal plants, there is still a need for scientific research to prove their effectiveness and safety. Therefore, it is essential to consult a doctor before using herbal plants. Some of these herbs include:

Slippery Elm: Used since ancient times to relieve sore throat, dry cough, or laryngitis. It is an ingredient in some throat lozenges. The inner bark of the slippery elm tree forms a thick gel when mixed with water, which coats the throat and alleviates pain. However, a preliminary study published in the Journal of Investigational Biochemistry in 2012 found no scientific evidence supporting the benefits of slippery elm for upper respiratory tract inflammation.

Marshmallow Root: A study published in Complementary Medicine Research in 2018 indicated that using marshmallow root extract tablets or syrup for 7 days to relieve dry cough showed good results in alleviating mouth or pharyngeal irritation and associated dry cough. Most cases observed a very rapid effect within 10 minutes, and it was well tolerated by study participants, although three mild symptoms were reported.

Peppermint: Contains menthol, which helps thin mucus and soothe sore throat and cough. Peppermint also has anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antiviral properties that may aid in the body’s healing processes. According to a review published in Phytotherapy Research in 2006, which examined the analgesic effects of peppermint oil and its components on the human respiratory system, human studies on peppermint leaves are limited, and there are no clinical trials studying the effect of peppermint tea. Therefore, more studies are needed to understand its effects.

Ginger: A study published in the East African Medical Journal in 2002 indicated that ginger root extracts might contain compounds with beneficial properties, such as antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects, which may help relieve sore throat pain.

Fenugreek: A review published in the Journal of the Saudi Society of Agricultural Sciences in 2018 suggested that fenugreek might help alleviate colds, bronchitis, influenza, pleurisy (the lining around the lungs), catarrh (inflammation of the mucous membranes), sinusitis, pneumonia, and sore throat and laryngitis. However, there are no scientific studies confirming its effectiveness in these cases.

Foods Beneficial for Sore Throat

It is important to note that while many herbal plants are used to relieve sore throat, there is still a lack of scientific research proving their effectiveness and safety. Some beneficial foods for relieving sore throat include:

Honey: Honey is beneficial for relieving sore throat as it coats and soothes the throat by reducing irritation. It also has antibacterial properties, and its sweet taste can help soothe the nerve endings in the throat, thereby reducing coughing. According to a study published in the Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine in 2007, parents preferred using honey for their children to alleviate symptoms of nighttime cough and difficulty sleeping associated with upper respiratory tract infections. The FDA has indicated that honey can be used to relieve cough in children. However, it is important to note that honey may not be safe for infants under 12 months due to the risk of botulism.

Hot Chicken Soup: Hot chicken soup helps to loosen sinus mucus, allowing it to flow better and reducing sinus congestion.

Garlic: Garlic contains allicin, which has antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral properties. A study published in Advances in Therapy in 2001 indicated that consuming raw garlic daily may enhance immunity against colds and flu.

Cayenne Pepper: Often used as a pain reliever, cayenne pepper contains a natural compound called capsaicin, which inhibits pain receptors. Although there is no scientific evidence to support this, consuming cayenne pepper mixed with warm water and honey may help relieve sore throat pain. However, it is important to avoid cayenne pepper if there are open sores in the mouth

Tips to Relieve Sore Throat

Regardless of the cause of a sore throat, some home care strategies can help alleviate some of the symptoms. These include:

• Getting Plenty of Rest: It is best to get enough sleep and rest.
• Avoiding Irritants: It is advisable to stay away from smoking areas and avoid household cleaning products that can irritate the throat.
• Eating Cold or Soft Foods: It is better to eat cold and soft foods to reduce throat irritation.
• Sucking on Ice Chips or Lozenges: Sucking on ice chips or lozenges can help relieve pain and cough caused by a sore throat.
• Humidifying the Air in the Sleeping Area: Humidifying the air can help keep the throat moist.