10 Home Remedies for Sore Throat
A sore throat is something everybody experiences, but not many people know why, or what to do to effectively and naturally treat it. In most cases a sore throat is a symptom of another issue, so it’s a good idea to know what to look out for.
A sore throat is the body’s way of telling you something isn’t quite right, and in most cases it is just a symptom of another problem. Here are the most common causes of a sore throat:
- Viral infections: common cold, flu, etc…
- Bacterial infections
- Allergies
- Dryness
- Irritation
- Tumours
- Smoking/tobacco
Although most often a sore throat is nothing to worry about, it can be something potentially serious if it’s accompanied by some of these symptoms. If you experience any of these symptoms along with a sore throat, it’s probably a good idea to see a doctor right away:
- A sore throat that lasts more than a week
- Have difficulty swallowing
- Have a hard time breathing
- Have a hard time opening your mouth
- Have pain in your joints
- Earache
- Fever higher than 38.3’C (101’F)
- Frequently suffer from a sore throat
- Swelling in your neck of face
But generally there is no need to worry, in most cases a sore throat is nothing serious, and it’s something that can easily be taken care of at home without a visit to the doctor or taking medication. Here are 10 home remedies for sore throat:
10 Home Remedies for Sore Throat
#1 – Prevention One of the best prophylactics for just about any illness or ailment is to avoid getting it in the first place. There are many reasons why we get a sore throat, so it’s a good idea to reduce our exposure to these potential causes. Here is what you need to due to help prevent a sore throat:
- Wash your hands frequently. This is a great way to reduce your exposure to bacteria and viruses that can cause a sore throat.
- Take care of your immune system, that means eating lots of healthy and probiotic rich foods, exercising and avoiding harmful things such as tobacco, alcohol and other substances
- Avoid sharing food and drinks. Especially when it’s COVID-19/flu season
- Use hand sanitizers when you don’t have access to soap and water. But it’s important to remember not to use these sanitizers too often. Over-using hand sanitizer may lead to destroying that natural healthy bacteria on your hands opening up the possibility of other infections3
- Keeping social distance may not be your thing, but it’s an effective way in avoiding bacteria and viruses that can cause a sore throat. Stay away from other people who are sick, at the very least
#2 – Gargle baking soda Mixing a spoonful of a baking soda in a glass of warm water is a great way to soothe your sore throat. Baking soda is anti-bacterial, and it is an effective way of preventing the growth of fungi and yeast. You can repeat this 4-5 times per day to help soothe your sore throat. It’s also important to note that the sooner you start gargling baking soda, the more of a chance you have to get over it quickly.
#3 – Apple cider vinegar ACV’s acidic and antibacterial properties are an effective way in helping you fight a sore throat5. When you have a sore throat, it’s a good idea to add ACV to your food as well as gargling with it. Add some ACV to a glass of warm water, mix it well and gargle the solution. You should repeat this 4-5 times per day.
#4 – Honey Honey doesn’t only taste great, but it’s an age-old remedy packed with natural healing compounds. One of the easiest ways of using honey as a remedy for a sore throat is to mix it into your tea, but it’s important to remember that honey’s natural healing compounds can become ineffective if it comes in contact with a liquid hotter than 37’C (98.F).
#5 -Ginger, lemon & honey Ginger, lemon and honey tea is an age-old remedy for sore throat, and it tastes great. Slice an inch of ginger and steep in boiling water, wait until it cools down to below 37’C (98’F) and add a few slices of lemon and a teaspoon of honey, mix and drink. You can do this three times per day until your sore throat goes away.
10 Home Remedies for Sore Throat
#6 – Gargle salt water Mixing a spoonful of a sea salt in a glass of warm water is a great way to soothe your sore throat. Salt is anti-bacterial, and it is an effective way of preventing URTI’s (upper respiratory tract infections)4. You can repeat this 4-5 times per day to help soothe your sore throat. It’s also important to note that the sooner you start gargling salt water the more of a chance you have to get over it quickly.
#7 – Sage and echinacea Sage is a herb that has been used as a natural medicine for ages, it can help with inflammatory conditions and some studies show that it can help relieve a sore throat.
Echinacea is also an old natural remedy, it is antibacterial, helps reduce inflammation, and it can help treat URTI’s.
The best way to combine these two great herbs to help fight your sore throat is to make a sage & echinacea throat spray. Mix a teaspoon of ground sage, a teaspoon of ground echinacea and mix it with a 1/2 cup of water. Steep the mixture for 30 minutes, strain and pour into a small spray spray-bottle. The mixture can be mixed with a 1/2 cup of 40% + hard liquor to increase its effectiveness if desired.
#8 – Licorice root Licorice root is well known for its sweet flavour, and it’s use in traditional medicine. Licorice root has medicinal properties that are similar to aspirin, and it can help reduce the pain associated with a sore throat. Licorice root is also antibacterial, antiviral and anti-inflammatory.
Get yourself some licorice root tea, drink 3-4 times per day.
#9 – Camomile tea Camomile is used in traditional medicine, and it has many health benefits. Camomile is anti-inflammatory11, helps reduce swelling, and is especially effective when it’s mixed with lemon, honey and ginger. You can drink straight camomile tea, or combined with lemon, honey and ginger 3-4 times per day.
#10 – Onions Onions are one of the few naturally occurring antibiotics, and the antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties can help combat the bacteria that are causing your sore throat.
Blend one onion with half a cup of water, and a teaspoon of honey and mix well. Drink/consume this mixture 2-3 times per day.
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If you don’t have any other serious symptoms that would require you to see a doctor, these remedies are a great way to avoid using harsh pharmaceuticals. But it’s also important to mention, that keeping your immune system strong and taking some precautions, can help prevent a sore throat in the first place.
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Sore Throat References and Sore Throat Information
- Mayo Clinic: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/sore-throat/symptoms-causes/syc-20351635
- Mayo Clinic: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/sore-throat/symptoms-causes/syc-20351635
- US National Library of Medicine: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7320712/
- Pub Med: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16242593/
- US National Library of Medicine: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1785201/
- Pub Med: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18056558/
- Bee Health: https://bee-health.extension.org/at-what-temperature-does-honey-have-to-be-heated-too-too-destroy-the-health-benefits-for-humans/#:~:text=Excessive%20heat%20can%20have%20detrimental,for%20more%20than%2048%20hrs.
- US National Library of Medicine: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5634728/
- Pub Med: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29749084/
- Science Direct: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2211383515000799
- Pub Med: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9354029/
- Read Also: https://homeremediesapp.com/10-home-remedies-for-cold-sores/