Respiratory

Sore Throat

A painful, scratchy or irritated throat, often with a cold. See a doctor if it's severe, lasts more than a week, or comes with trouble swallowing or breathing, or a high fever.

Get emergency help for severe breathlessness, chest pain or blue lips. Don't use herbs in place of asthma inhalers or other prescribed medicines. These herbs are listed because of traditional use or research, not because they're proven treatments.

22 herbs

Each note says whether the link comes from traditional use or research, and what the research found.

AndrographisAndrographis paniculata
A review of 33 trials found andrographis eased sore throat from colds and similar infections.
Bearded ScutellariaScutellaria barbata
Listed in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia for sore throat. Not tested on its own in trials.
Big SagebrushArtemisia tridentata
The Shoshoni gargled a leaf decoction for sore throats. Not studied in people.
ClovesSyzygium aromaticum
Recognized in Europe as a mouthwash for minor mouth and throat inflammation.
Crepe GingerHellenia speciosa
In one small study without a comparison group, most people using rhizome nose drops for a sore throat or tonsillitis got better within 5 days.
Glehnia RootGlehnia littoralis
Used in traditional formulas for sore throat and dry mouth. Not tested on its own in trials.
HoneysuckleLonicera japonica
An ingredient in traditional Chinese formulas for sore throat. Not tested on its own in trials.
Iceland MossCetraria islandica
Recognized in Europe as a traditional medicine to soothe mouth and throat irritation.
Isatis RootIsatis indigotica
Traditionally used for sore throat and cough from "lung heat". Not tested on its own in trials.
Korean BellflowerPlatycodon grandiflorus
Traditionally used for a painful throat. Not tested on its own in trials.
LicoriceGlycyrrhiza glabra
Studies suggest it may ease sore throat after a breathing tube is removed; evidence is limited.
Lodgepole PinePinus contorta
Pitch was chewed or sucked for sore throats. Not studied in people.
Marshmallow RootAlthaea officinalis
Recognized in Europe for throat irritation with dry cough.
MulleinVerbascum thapsus
Recognized in Europe as a traditional medicine for sore throat with a dry cough and cold.
PeppermintMentha piperita
Traditionally used for a sore or inflamed mouth and throat.
Prunella VulgarisPrunella vulgaris
Traditionally used in China for sore throats. Not tested for this in trials.
Qiang Li Yin Qiao Jie Du WanLonicera japonica, Forsythia suspensa and other herbs
Traditionally used for sore throat in early colds and flu. Not tested on its own in trials.
SageSalvia officinalis
Long used in European folk medicine for inflammation of the mouth and throat.
Scrophularia RootScrophularia ningpoensis
A traditional Chinese remedy for sore throat. Not tested on its own in trials.
Slippery ElmUlmus rubra
Traditionally taken for sore throat; not tested in trials.
Witch HazelHamamelis virginiana
Recognized in Europe as a traditional mouthwash and gargle for minor inflammation in the mouth.
Yerba MansaAnemopsis californica
The Pima held the dry root in the mouth for sore throats. Not studied in people.