Can Kids Have Throat Coat Tea?

It depends on the kid’s age and health. Children under the age of 3 should not be allowed this type of tea or coffee. Children over the age of 3 can have tea only a small amount of, for example, half-mug throat coat tea, if they don’t have any allergic reaction or health issues. But you can also use other specific-ingredient-based mock tea for them. 

Introductions 

Is your child suffering from a cold? Sniffling, coughing and aching from sore throat all day long? That’s really concerning. 

If this was for you, then I would open-heartedly recommend having spice tea as much as you can. But it’s about children. Can kids have throat coat tea? The simple answer is that it depends on your child’s age and physical conditions (like allergic reactions, digestive issues, etc). 

In this article, I will explain if kids have regular throat coat tea, its ingredients, how to make this tea, what precautions you should take, and what other herbs, tea, or ways you can reduce your child’s cold and throat pain problems. Let’s get started. 

What is Throat Coat Tea? 

Throat coat tea is a tea that helps reduce inflammation and throat pain. 

The tea contains some beneficial ingredients that are generally used to relieve any throat pain. 

Throat Coat Tea Ingredients & Their Benefits 

So, what are the ingredients in throat coat tea? Licorice root, echinacea, marshmallow root, citrus fruits, slippery elm, orange peel, cinnamon bark etc. 

Each of the ingredients has its own benefits that aid in reducing throat pain and swelling and coat the roughness. Let’s know about these ingredients and their benefits in detail. 

Licorice root 

This is one of the world’s oldest herbal remedies. It contains health-conducive properties glycyrrhizin which is full of antimicrobial, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that can aid improve respiratory conditions. Liquorice root also benefits digestion, helping reduce heartburn and acid reflux. 

Echinacea 

Echinacea is a mixture of different flower plants (flower, leaf and roots). It contains antimicrobial properties that are used to treat colds, coughs, bronchitis, respiratory infections, influenza, canker sores and many other illnesses. 

Marshmallow root 

Marshmallow root, a flowering plant, has a long history of being used as a medicinal herb. It contains antibodies that help ease inflammation and help soothe various ailments including cold illness. (Yes, you guessed it right, the confection marshmallow candy got the name from this root, though it’s not used in the candy.) 

Citrus fruits 

Limes, Lemon, Citron, Grapefruit, Oranges, Clementine, Grapefruits, etc contain vitamin C which helps the immune system, helps diminish colds and treats sore throat. The peel of citrus fruits is also helpful to treat throat pain when mixed with other herbs. 

Slippery elm 

Another century-old medicine slippery elm, has long been used to treat throat pain, ease digestive disorder and some other illnesses. It helps reduce inflammation in the throat, adds a coating and thus reduces throat pain. 

Is Throat Coat Tea Safe for Kids?

Considering that the throat coat tea has many benefits, parents can use appropriate amounts as per kid’s age. This is safe as long as you are not making your children over-drinking it. 

To be on the safe side, you can find organic throat coat tea which is made just for kids available on the internet. This herbal item can help children with coughing, sore throat, allergy headaches etc. But even so, check for the ingredients first. 

But I highly recommend you consult with doctors or paediatricians before you offer any medicine to the products. Don’t just rely on online or the neighbours whose child healed by drinking this. As this tea contains different types of ingredients, it may cause allergies in children. 

How to Make Throat Coat Tea? 

There are various types of herbs you can use to make throat coat tea. If you are buying from the store, then here is how you can make throat coat tea.  

Step 1: Take a cup of hot water. 

Step 2: Put a tea bag in the cup. Allow it to sit for roughly 30 seconds to 50 seconds so that the herb gets well soaked in the water and the herb juices come out. 

Step 3: Take out the tea bag, and your tea is ready. You can add honey for flavour. 

If you are going to make your own throat coat tea, there are several herbs and spices you can use. The commonly used throat coat tea is ginger and cinnamon boiled water. To add soothing flavour, many use lemon, citrus, malta, and honey; these ingredients also help reduce throat pain. 

Here is how I made my throat coat tea, and it healed in just 3 days! 

First, I soaked the store-bought throat coat tea in hot water, then I used citrus, lemon, and ginger slices and then stirred it a little. After letting it sit for 1 minute, I drank it. 

Precautions and Possible Side Effects

Though throat coat tea has manifold benefits, it has some possible side effects. Let’s get to know each of the ingredients. 

• Licorice root: Licorice tea can cause side effects like headaches and fatigue in the short term. Long-term side effects can cause high blood pressure, anxiety, shortness of breath etc. 
• Echinacea: Though echinacea is generally used for the short term, the side effects include skin rashes or minor digestive causes. 
• Marshmallow root: The side effect of marshmallow root is suffering from dizziness or having an upset stomach. 
• Citrus fruits: Citrus fruits contain large amounts of vitamin C, which is mostly effective in treating colds, and sore throats. But on the flip side, it may cause acidic reflux, and irritation to initiate coughing. 
• Slippery elm: It may cause allergic reactions and digestive issues. 

Other Ingredients that Help Soothe Sore Throat 

Apart from the throat coat tea, there are some other warm beverages and salubrious ingredients that work as a relief to the cold and throat pain. But do not use coffee or caffeinated drinks to remove the child’s sore throat or cold. 

Here I have mentioned some other teas and ingredients. You can use the ingredients for children if you don’t want them to drink tea. 

Some Other Types of Tea 

Hot water is effective in curing throat pain. And if it is any kind of tea, you are having, then that’s a plus point. Tea contains some healthy compounds that aid the coating process. Here are some other herbal and medicinal teas to drink for throat pain treatment. 

• Chamomile tea 

Chamomile is a member of the daisy flower and one of the old medicines. It helps minimize throat inflammation. Mostly, it is recommended to drink it at night, as the tea has a tranquillizing effect. 

• Turmeric tea 

Turmeric contains several compounds and antioxidant properties that help numb the throat and soothe cold & throat pain. It also reduces inflammation and strengthens the immune system. 

To make turmeric tea, you can use dried and grounded turmeric root. Boil the powder in the hot water for a few minutes then pour it into your cup or glass. It’s ready to drink. You can squeeze lemon or orange juice, and add honey to add extra flavour and healing elements. 

• Green tea

Surprising, right? Green tea is supposed to help lose weight. What is this tea doing here? 

Green tea contains different types of leaves, and as a result, it has a rich amount of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties, which is a comforting relief for sore throat. But take precautions as it contains caffeine, it may not be safe to drink many times. 

There is another solution though, you can let your child gargle with green tea water every 6-8 hours. This will help alleviate the throat pain and speed up healing. 

• Peppermint tea 

Peppermint is a powerful and traditional herb that has been used for years to reduce sore throat. What does it contain? 

It contains polyphenols, a high-powered antioxidant, that help mitigate inflammation in the throat caused by the pain. Also, the main active agent of peppermint, menthol has a property that breaks up caught by loosening phlegm. Thus, the throat gets a calming and soothing solution. 

You can put raw peppermint or dried peppermint leaves in the hot water and let your child drink it after a while. This will be helpful either way. 

• Fenugreek tea 

Fenugreek contains various types of antioxidants that assist in reducing inflammation, clearing mucus, freeing up the throat, soothing the pain and thus prompting healing. This tea also helps activate the immune system. Brew the dried fenugreek leaves in hot water for throat pain. 

• Herbal tea 

You can let your child sip general herbal tea found in the market. This tea contains different plant seeds, roots, and leaves and is free from caffeine. Though they are safe to drink, check the ingredients before allowing it to drink. 

• Catnip  tea 

Among various aids the catnip tea offers, one is to help soothe colds and throat pain. Crush catnip leaves to get its juice. Add one teaspoon of juice with one glass of warm water. This beverage may assist in removing cold. 

• Fennel tea 

A cup of fennel tea can also help reduce if your child is suffering from a bad cold. Or, you can brew the fennel seeds with milk and allow your child to drink it. Hopefully, you will see improvements. 

• Lemon balm tea 

Drinking lemon balm tea also helps reduce flu and pacifies throat pain as it contains some antiviral properties. This herb is lemon-flavoured and adding a little bit of honey or sugar will produce a sweet scent that children like. 

• Mock tea 

You can skip the tea altogether for the children and let them have any mock tea. I let my child drink one cup of lukewarm water with one teaspoon of honey and the juice of a few holy basil leaves. That works like magic. 

Different Types of Ingredients 

As mentioned earlier, many parents don’t want to let their children have tea for various reasons. No worries! I have put that in my mind. Check the ingredients I have listed below. You can use these ingredients to help reduce your child’s sore throat and cold issues. 

• Honey

Full of antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. You can let your child only honey or mix it with hot water. This will effectively work to prevent coughing and proceed with healing. But take precautions, not to use honey for children under 12 months. This may risk causing botulism. 

• Black seed 

Another powerful remedy that can be used as a remedy to cold. There are several ways you can let your child have it.  

Way 1: Mix black seed oil with honey or lemon juice. 

Way 2: I learned these tips from my mother. She used to make a tiny wrap ball filled with black seeds. These ingredients have a small scent, which helps the cold move from the nostril when inhaled. 

Way 3: Take 1 teaspoon of black seed and one garlic clove. Do a spice grind, for just 15-20 seconds, and keep it as grainy. Let your child eat it with any vegetable or rice. This will also activate the cold healing process and reduce throat pain. 

• Coconut oil 

It has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory elements that are helpful in reducing throat pain. There are many ways to use coconut oil. You can use it as a cooking oil or add it to kids’ cocoa or chocolate drinks. 

• Kerosine oil 

I found this remedy in rural areas and it works pretty well. When your children are suffering from a cold, massage a tiny bit of kerosene oil in their neck and chest area. You will see the improvements after 3-4 times massaging. 

• Rapeseed oil 

You can use rapeseed oil as well to reduce cold, coughing and sore throat problems. Heat up two spoons of rapeseed oil with a few cloves of garlic. When the garlic starts frying, put it off the heat. Massage this mixture on your child’s neck. 

• Ginger 

Ginger is one of the most well-known spices that helps colds and reduce throat pain. Raw ginger juice is the most effective way to cure colds, but you can add honey if you are allowing children to drink it. Also, you can boil it in water and drink that water to diminish throat pain. 

• Cinnamon 

Cinnamon is a spice that helps treat cold and sore throat. It contains anti-inflammatory properties to help reduce throat pain. You can either use the cinnamon stick and boil it in hot water or grind it as powder and use it in the tea. 

• Black pepper 

It contains anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, which have potential health benefits in reducing throat pain. To consume it, make a herbal tea. 

• Cloves 

This has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties to soothe cold and sore throat. Let the children have the hot boiled clove water or ask them to do a clove water gargle. You can find clove oil in the market; apply it to the throat, and it will help reduce the pain. Also, there are clove candies available for children. 

• Basil leaf tea 

Another helpful herb leaf is holy basil (as known as tulsi in Southeast Asia). You collect the juice from this leaf and have your child drink 1 teaspoon of juice, or you can boil it in water and this hot water. Either solution is effective in helping reduce cold and sore throat. 

• Saltwater 

Mix half a teaspoon of salt with one glass of hot water. Gargling with this is a popular and effective home remedy for anyone to soothe the sore throat and reduce swelling. 

• Lemon and water 

Lemon is acidic, which is a good fighter for viruses and bacteria. Mix a teaspoon of lemon juice in one glass of hot water. Your children can either drink it or gargle with it. This will help shrink the swelling in the throat and soothe the pain. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) 

Conclusion 

Now that you know, kids can have throat coat tea, too, along with precautionary steps. You can’t let them have as much as you take. Also, you should provide extra care for children under the age of 12 months. Also, there are other remedies you can use for your child’s throat pain than tea. Hopefully, these remedies will help your child reduce cold and throat pain.