certain herbal teas like licorice root or green tea may have even greater benefits — like reducing throat swelling and helping to clear mucus.
Licorice root tea "There is some research to support that licorice may eliminate phlegm and mucus and act as an overall coating agent to help soothe a sore throat," says Keri Gans, MS, a registered dietician in private practice.
In fact, there are three key substances found in licorice root that may help a sore throat:
Liquilitin and liquiritigenin act as expectorants, meaning they loosen mucus and make it easier to cough up.
Glycyrrhizin acts as a demulcent, meaning it provides a protective coating over your throat that may prevent irritation when you swallow.
A 2021 study looked at surgery patients who had a breathing tube inserted in their throat during the procedure. When they woke up, the patients gargled a licorice or green tea solution — both liquids helped reduce throat soreness, compared with patients who didn't do the gargle. Source https://www.businessinsider.com/guides/health/treatments/tea-for-sore-throat
