Soothing Herbal Teas for Sore Throat

Soothing Herbal Teas for Sore Throat

　　Brewing a cup of tea is a great way to relax and unwind, while also benefiting your overall well-being. For those who frequently experience minor discomforts such as eye pain or mood swings due to prolonged sitting or excessive computer use, adding certain ingredients to your tea can help alleviate these physical discomforts and promote good health.

　　1. Marshmallow Tea for Sore Throat

　　When you have a cold, some people may experience obvious symptoms of fever and feeling cold, while others may have a congested and runny nose. There are also those who are troubled by a sore throat and coughing. For those who fall into the latter category, consider brewing a cup of marshmallow tea. Marshmallow is the dried and mature seed of the deciduous tree Althaea officinalis. In traditional Chinese medicine, it is believed to have a cooling nature and a sweet taste. It primarily functions to clear the lungs and relieve sore throat, as well as promote bowel movement.

　　2. Jujube Tea for Spleen Nourishment and Qi Enhancement

　　Experts suggest that jujube, which has the effects of nourishing the spleen, enhancing qi, nourishing blood, and calming the mind, has always been a popular choice for health-conscious individuals. However, do you know that a small detail in the brewing process may cause the loss of its medicinal properties? The jujube skin is tough and not easily digestible. If you brew the whole fruit, it is difficult for the active ingredients to fully dissolve. Therefore, it is best to split the jujube before brewing. Also, fresh red dates should not be brewed or cooked. This is because they contain a very high amount of vitamin C, six times that of fresh longan, 82 times that of an apple, and 26 times that of fresh lychee. It is hailed as the "king of vitamins" and boiling it with hot water will seriously destroy the vitamin C content.

　　3. Ophiopogon Tea for Dry and Hoarse Throat

　　Ophiopogon has the health benefits of nourishing yin, moistening the throat, quenching thirst, nourishing the lungs, and calming the mind. It is the most commonly used yin-nourishing herb in traditional Chinese medicine. When soaked for a long time, ophiopogon becomes chubby and has a translucent appearance, which is very cute. Throughout the day, you can chew it and swallow it. Although ophiopogon tastes bitter, there will be a sweet aftertaste after chewing. If you don't like this taste, you can add a moderate amount of rock sugar or honey when brewing ophiopogon tea. From a traditional Chinese medicine perspective, honey has a stronger effect on nourishing yin, moistening the lungs, and promoting bowel movement, making it suitable for individuals with dry skin and constipation. Rock sugar has a stronger effect on reducing heat and relieving dryness, making it suitable for individuals with irritability and easy anger. If you drink plenty of water but still have yellow urine, you can add a small amount of lotus seeds to the ophiopogon tea, which has the effect of calming the mind and relieving irritability. In short: for constipation, add honey; for irritability, add lotus seeds.

　　4. Foxtail Millet Tea for Sweat Stopping and Calming the Mind

　　One-third of our life is spent in sleep, yet over one-third of people have trouble sleeping well. Some people sweat during sleep and often feel hot and humid. Menopausal women are often troubled by this. Consider brewing a cup of foxtail millet tea to help alleviate these discomforts. In traditional Chinese medicine, foxtail millet has the effects of enhancing qi, reducing heat, and stopping sweating. It can be used to treat patients with spontaneous sweating caused by yang deficiency or night sweating caused by yin deficiency. When combined with the calming and mind-soothing herb poria cocos, as well as ophiopogon for clearing away heat and relieving irritability, this herbal tea can nourish the heart, calm the mind, and stop excessive sweating, improving sleep quality and enhancing mental clarity.