Throat coat tea is an herbal tea that contains soothing ingredients like licorice root, slippery elm bark, and marshmallow root. It is marketed as helping to ease throat irritation and cough. This leads many parents to wonder if throat coat tea is safe for their children to drink. There are a few key factors to consider when deciding if throat coat tea is appropriate for your child.
What is in throat coat tea?
The main ingredients in throat coat tea are:
- Licorice root – Has soothing properties and is an expectorant to help clear mucus.
- Slippery elm bark – Helps coat the throat and reduce irritation.
- Marshmallow root – Soothes throat irritation.
- Cinnamon – Adds flavor and has anti-inflammatory properties.
- Fennel – Helps ease digestive issues.
Other ingredients like orange peel, lemon peel, and ginger may also be included for additional flavor and benefits. The ingredients in throat coat tea can vary slightly between brands but generally contain some combination of licorice root, marshmallow root, slippery elm bark, and soothing spices like cinnamon or ginger.
Is licorice root safe for children?
One concern with throat coat tea is that it contains licorice root. Licorice root can be unsafe in large amounts for children due to its effect on potassium levels. However, most throat coat teas only contain a small amount of licorice root, not enough to cause potassium issues in most children.
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, occasional consumption of candy or tea containing licorice root is fine for most healthy children over 2 years old. But they recommend limiting regular consumption and avoiding licorice root in children under 2.
So as an occasional drink, throat coat tea is likely fine for children over 2 even with its licorice content. But it should be avoided on a regular basis and kept away from toddlers under 2 due to the potential issues with potassium levels.
Benefits of throat coat tea for children
When used as an occasional drink in children over 2, throat coat tea can provide benefits including:
- Soothes sore throat pain – The herbs like licorice, marshmallow root, and slippery elm coat and soothe an irritated throat.
- Relieves cough – Throat coat tea acts as an expectorant, helping thin and loosen mucus to relieve coughs.
- Eases digestive issues – Fennel and licorice root can gently help relieve indigestion, gas, or nausea.
- Pleasant taste – The cinnamon and citrus flavors make it a nice tasting medicinal drink for kids.
The soothing qualities of throat coat tea can help provide comfort during cold and flu season. It’s a gentler herbal remedy compared to medications.
Potential risks and side effects
While throat coat tea is likely safe in moderation for most healthy children over 2, there are some potential risks and considerations:
- Licorice root risks – Regular consumption could lead to potassium imbalance or hypertension.
- Allergies – Allergic reactions are possible with any herb, though not common.
- Unsafe ingredients – Look for brands without unsuitable herbs like sage, eucalyptus, or yerba mate.
- Natural variation – Active ingredients can vary between batches of herbs.
- Drug interactions – Could potentially interact with some medications.
- Choking hazard – Only give tea to children able to drink safely from cup or straw.
To be safe, throat coat tea is best limited to occasional use in children over 2. It’s also ideal to check with your pediatrician about suitability if your child has any underlying health conditions or takes any chronic medications.
Proper dosing for children
The correct dosage of throat coat tea depends on the child’s age and the specific product used. Always follow label instructions and don’t exceed recommended doses. General dosage guidelines include:
- Under 2 years – Not recommended due to licorice content.
- 2-6 years – Up to 1/2 cup per day, with doctor approval.
- 6-12 years – Up to 1 cup per day, with doctor approval
- Over 12 years – 1-3 cups per day as needed for symptom relief.
Steeping time can also be adjusted based on age, using less time for younger children to prevent over-extraction of herbs. Give children small sips at first to test for tolerance. Discontinue use if any discomfort or reactions occur.
Comparison to over-the-counter cough medicine
Here is how throat coat tea compares to common over-the-counter cough medicines for children:
| Throat Coat Tea | OTC Cough Medicine |
|---|---|
| Made from natural herbs like licorice & marshmallow root | Often contains drugs like dextromethorphan or guaifenesin |
| Soothes irritated throat | Can suppress cough reflex |
| No major side effects in moderation | Potential side effects like drowsiness |
| Can be safely used long-term | Not intended for prolonged use |
While OTC cough medicine can provide temporary relief, it also comes with some risks if misused. Throat coat tea offers a gentler option for soothing sore throats and coughs while avoiding medication side effects. However, throat coat tea cannot treat illnesses on its own. More serious infections may require medical treatment.
Recipes and preparations tips
Here are some tips for making throat coat tea:
- Use freshly boiled water between 160°F – 212°F.
- Steep loose tea for 5-10 minutes, less time for younger kids.
- Can be reheated after steeping but avoid boiling.
- Sweeten with honey, maple syrup, or sugar as desired.
- Flavor with lemon, cinnamon sticks, or ginger slices.
- Refrigerate unused portion for up to 2 days.
The basic recipe is:
Throat Coat Tea
Ingredients:
- 2 cups water
- 2 throat coat tea bags or 2 tsp loose tea
- Honey or lemon to taste (optional)
Instructions:
- Boil water, then lower to simmer.
- Steep throat coat tea bags or loose tea for 5-10 minutes.
- Remove tea bags or strain out loose tea.
- Stir in honey or lemon if desired.
- Let cool to safe drinking temperature before serving.
For variety, try adding fresh ginger, mint leaves, sliced citrus fruits, or cinnamon sticks. Chamomile tea can also be blended with throat coat tea for additional soothing effects. Adjust sweetener and steeping time based on child’s age and preferences.
How to store throat coat tea
Properly stored, throat coat tea can retain its potency and flavor for up to a year past any best-by date. Follow these storage tips:
- Keep bags or loose tea in an airtight container away from light, heat, & moisture.
- Shelf life is up to 18 months for unopened products.
- Use opened tea within 1 year.
- Refrigeration can extend life of prepared tea for up to 2 days.
- Freeze for longer storage of stronger tea concentrate.
As with any herbal product, inspect throat coat tea before use and discard any that smells musty or looks discolored. Keeping it in an airtight opaque container in a cool, dark place gives best results. Proper storage retains the soothing properties.
Signs throat coat tea has gone bad
Throat coat tea will eventually degrade and go bad, usually indicated by:
- Change in color – Significantly darker or cloudy appearance.
- Altered aroma – Smells musty instead of aromatic.
- Impaired flavor – Tea tastes very bland, harsh, or stale.
- Growth of mold – Visible mold anywhere on dry tea leaves or bags.
Tea that displays any of these poor quality traits should be discarded. Consuming spoiled throat coat tea could potentially cause illness. When stored properly in a cool, dry place, throat coat tea can last up to a year past its best-by date before going bad. But use your senses of sight and smell to determine if your tea is still fresh.
Other soothing drinks for sore throats
Beyond throat coat tea, other soothing beverages can also help ease sore throats in children. Some examples include:
- Warm broth – Chicken or vegetable broth can be soothing and provide hydration.
- Hot water with honey – Honey coats and soothes irritated tissues.
- Decaffeinated tea – Non-caffeinated herbal teas like chamomile, peppermint, or ginger.
- Warm apple juice – Provides vitamin C and hydration.
- Popsicles – Cold popsicles can temporarily numb and relieve pain.
Pair these drinks with proper rest and light, nutritious foods while sick. Pay attention to fluid intake to avoid dehydration. Contact your pediatrician if symptoms persist or worsen.
FAQs
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about giving kids throat coat tea:
Is throat coat tea FDA approved?
No, throat coat tea is not approved by the FDA. As an herbal supplement, it does not go through the drug approval process. But its ingredients are generally recognized as safe, especially in small amounts.
What about pregnancy or breastfeeding?
The safety is uncertain during pregnancy or breastfeeding. It’s best to avoid drinking throat coat tea regularly or excessively during pregnancy/nursing until more research is available.
Can you give throat coat tea to a baby under 1 year?
Throat coat tea is not recommended for babies under 1 year due to potential issues with licorice root consumption and immature digestive/immune systems.
Is throat coat tea gluten free?
Most brands of throat coat tea are naturally gluten-free. But check labels for gluten-containing ingredients like barley malt before consuming if following a gluten-free diet.
Can throat coat tea be given to children with reflux?
Throat coat tea is mildly acidic, so it could aggravate reflux symptoms in some children. Check with your pediatrician before use in kids with diagnosed reflux or GERD issues.
The bottom line
Throat coat tea can be a helpful natural remedy for children over age 2 suffering from sore throats, coughs, or minor digestive issues. Its demulcent and soothing properties come from herbs like licorice, marshmallow root, slippery elm, and cinnamon. When used occasionally, throat coat tea is likely safe for most kids over 2 years old. But regular consumption should be avoided, especially in very young children due to the potential effects of licorice root.
Check with your pediatrician before use if your child has any underlying conditions or takes medications. While throat coat tea can help ease certain symptoms, more serious illnesses need proper medical treatment. When used judiciously, throat coat tea can be a nice way to provide gentle comfort during times of throat irritation and coughs. Just be sure to steep it lightly, let it cool to a child-safe temperature, and store any leftovers properly in the refrigerator.