‘Tis the season for comfy wool socks, homestyle stuffing, and caroling off-key at the top of your lungs while putting away the laundry . . . at least, that’s how it goes in my house.
Whether it’s from too much singing, running around outside in the crisp air or some other reason, this is also the season for the occasional sore throat. If you’re like me and you keep marshmallow root on hand for making hair detangler and soothing tummy aches, you can easily make a comforting tea that’s similar to Throat Coat from Traditional Medicinals.
Throat Coat Tea is good stuff, and I highly recommend it if you don’t want to DIY. However, I like the marshmallow root/slippery elm bark (the herbs that coat the throat) component of my tea to be a bit stronger, and I also enjoy playing with the flavor. Sometimes I add fennel for a licorice flavor, or refreshing peppermint, or ginger and mint when I want comforting warmth.
Marshmallow Root and Slippery Elm Bark – When mixed with water, these herbs transform into a mucilaginous (gel-like) consistency that coats and soothes irritated throat mucosa. They work magic in this recipe, and also in my homemade sore throat spray. One important thing to note is that slippery elm bark is considered an at-risk species, so it’s important to buy it from sources that use sustainable harvesting practices to ensure it will be available for generations to come – here’s one option. Only a small amount is needed per batch, so a bag that size lasts a long time.
Licorice Root – This herb has long been used in folk medicine to ease sore throat discomfort, and current research suggests there is wisdom in that approach. For example, this recent study found that using licorice water as a gargle soothed patients throats after surgery.
