A sore throat can be the preamble of a coming episode of a cold and flu. It may be a side effect of strained vocal cords, or an indication of something more serious, But before you go running to a doctor, try these simple but effective natural home remedies to battle a sore throat.
Sore throat is an inflammation of the pharynx, which is the tube that extends from the back of the mouth to the esophagus. Some of the major causes of sore throat are viral infection, bacterial infection, fungal infection, pollution, smoking, acid reflux, dry air, excessive shouting, some kind of allergic reaction and so on. Symptoms of sore throat are much like those of a viral infection and is often accompanied by headache, stomachache, common cold and swollen glands in the neck.
For quick relief from sore throat, you can try the following home remedies:
1. Drink ginger tea.
You can prepare ginger tea by adding a one-inch long crushed piece of ginger in the water and boiling it for two to three minutes, and then preparing the tea as you normally would.
2. Honey
Honey is also one of the easily available ingredients that can be used to treat sore throat. Honey has antibacterial properties, which can fasten up the healing process. At the same time honey works like a hypertonic osmotic, this means that it helps to draw water out of inflamed tissue and thus reducing the swelling and inflammation.
Add one to two tablespoon of honey to one cup of hot water and drink it several times a day. You can also add honey to your favorite cup of herbal tea. Before going to bed eat one teaspoon of honey as it will give you soothing relief and help you to enjoy sound sleep.
3. Lemon
You can also use fresh lemons to get relief from sore throat. Take half a piece of lemon and sprinkle salt and pepper over it and slowly lick the lemon. Another option is to gargle with freshly pressed lemon juice diluted with equal amount of warm water. At the same time you can try hot lemonade with honey to get relief from the pain.
To make the lemonade, add the juice of half a lemon and one tablespoon of honey to one cup of warm water and sip it slowly to get instant relief from the pain.
4. Garlic
Garlic has antibacterial and antiseptic properties along with other medicinal properties which can help to treat or prevent sore throats. Take a fresh garlic clove, cut it into half and then suck the pieces. Occasionally, crush the garlic piece with your teeth to release the chemical known as allicin that help to kill the bacteria that causes sore throat.
Alternatively you can use garlic oil. Add a few drops of garlic oil to one-fourth cup of water and use it to gargle once daily. Also try to eat garlic in raw and cooked form. If you do not like garlic taste, you can take garlic pills.
5. Cinnamon
One more ingredient that can be used to treat sore throat, caused by common cold is cinnamon. Take one small piece of cinnamon stick, one pinch of pepper and boil it in two cups of water for a few minutes. Drain the water and add a teaspoon of honey to it. Now drink this water while it is still warm to get instant relief from sore throat.
6. Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar can also be used in the treatment of sore throat due to its antibacterial properties. Add two tablespoon of apple cider vinegar to half a cup of warm water and drink it slowly. Soon you will get relief from the pain and inflammation.
You can also make a gargle solution with apple cider vinegar. For this you will need one teaspoon salt and half cup of apple cider vinegar. Mix both the ingredients in one cup of warm water and use it to gargle several times a day.
7. Marshmallow Root
Marshmallow root contains throat-coating mucilage and hence it can also be used in the treatment of sore throat. Marshmallow root tea is the best way to treat sore throat along with common cough and cold. To make this herbal tea, add one tablespoon of the dried marshmallow root to one cup of boiling water and steep it for about half an hour.
Finally strain the solution, add some honey and drink it. You can have three cups of this herbal tea in a day. Those who are diabetic must not follow this remedy. Also this remedy is not recommended for pregnant or nursing women.
8. Slippery Elm
Slippery elm contains mucilage, a gel like substance that coats the throat and eases the soreness and reduces the throat irritation. For the treatment of sore throat use the inner bark of slippery elm. Take one teaspoon of the inner bark of slippery elm and add it to two cups of boiling water. Allow it to steep for a few minutes, and then strain the solution and drink it slowly while it is still warm.
In fact, you can use this solution for the treatment of any kind of respiratory illness or laryngitis. If this herb is not available, you can also buy slippery elm in capsule form from any medical store.
9. Fenugreek
The next powerful ingredient to treat sore throat is fenugreek. You can prepare a gargle from fenugreek seeds, which is very effective to treat sore throat. Add two tablespoon of fenugreek seeds to six cups of water and boil it for about half an hour. Allow it to come to room temperature and then filter the solution.
Now use this solution as a gargle. The mucus-dissolving properties present in fenugreek will help to ease sore throat and give you instant relief from pain and inflammation. You must gargle with this solution three to four times a day.
10. Turmeric
Another easy and great remedy for sore throat is turmeric which has powerful antiseptic properties. Take a quarter teaspoon of turmeric powder and add it to one glass of warm drinking water. Mix it properly and then drink it slowly in the morning on an empty stomach. Follow this remedy once daily for three to four days. Alternatively, you can add one teaspoon of turmeric powder and one teaspoon of ground black pepper to one glass of warm milk and drink it before going to bed.
You can also gargle with turmeric to soothe a bad throat. Gargle with a mixture of water, salt, and turmeric. This is a very effective home remedy for relieving pain, plus, the ingredients are available 24x7 in all kitchens. Add one tea-spoon of salt and a pinch of turmeric to 8 ounce of warm water. The mixture should not be hot or you might scold your throat.
11. Salt Water gargles
One of the best ways to get relief from sore throat is to gargle with salt water. Salt works like an antiseptic and helps to draw water out of mucous membranes in the throat. This cuts phlegm and reduces inflammation and gives you instant relief.
Take half teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water and then use this water to gargle. Do not swallow the water as you need to spit the water out after gargling. If you do not like the salty taste, add a small amount of honey to the solution. You must gargle with saltwater at least four times a day to improve the condition of your throat.
12. Chicken soup
Eating can be difficult if you have a sore throat. Hot and sour chicken soup will not only soothe the pain but will also ensure that you're getting the nutrients to fight inflammation.
To conclude, next time whenever you have sore throat, simply try some of the above mentioned remedies to feel better. However, if you have a sore throat lasting more than two or three days, it is essential to see a doctor.
For quick relief from sore throat, you can try the following home remedies:
1. Drink ginger tea.
You can prepare ginger tea by adding a one-inch long crushed piece of ginger in the water and boiling it for two to three minutes, and then preparing the tea as you normally would.
2. Honey
Honey is also one of the easily available ingredients that can be used to treat sore throat. Honey has antibacterial properties, which can fasten up the healing process. At the same time honey works like a hypertonic osmotic, this means that it helps to draw water out of inflamed tissue and thus reducing the swelling and inflammation.
Add one to two tablespoon of honey to one cup of hot water and drink it several times a day. You can also add honey to your favorite cup of herbal tea. Before going to bed eat one teaspoon of honey as it will give you soothing relief and help you to enjoy sound sleep.
3. Lemon
You can also use fresh lemons to get relief from sore throat. Take half a piece of lemon and sprinkle salt and pepper over it and slowly lick the lemon. Another option is to gargle with freshly pressed lemon juice diluted with equal amount of warm water. At the same time you can try hot lemonade with honey to get relief from the pain.
To make the lemonade, add the juice of half a lemon and one tablespoon of honey to one cup of warm water and sip it slowly to get instant relief from the pain.
4. Garlic
Garlic has antibacterial and antiseptic properties along with other medicinal properties which can help to treat or prevent sore throats. Take a fresh garlic clove, cut it into half and then suck the pieces. Occasionally, crush the garlic piece with your teeth to release the chemical known as allicin that help to kill the bacteria that causes sore throat.
Alternatively you can use garlic oil. Add a few drops of garlic oil to one-fourth cup of water and use it to gargle once daily. Also try to eat garlic in raw and cooked form. If you do not like garlic taste, you can take garlic pills.
5. Cinnamon
One more ingredient that can be used to treat sore throat, caused by common cold is cinnamon. Take one small piece of cinnamon stick, one pinch of pepper and boil it in two cups of water for a few minutes. Drain the water and add a teaspoon of honey to it. Now drink this water while it is still warm to get instant relief from sore throat.
6. Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar can also be used in the treatment of sore throat due to its antibacterial properties. Add two tablespoon of apple cider vinegar to half a cup of warm water and drink it slowly. Soon you will get relief from the pain and inflammation.
You can also make a gargle solution with apple cider vinegar. For this you will need one teaspoon salt and half cup of apple cider vinegar. Mix both the ingredients in one cup of warm water and use it to gargle several times a day.
7. Marshmallow Root
Marshmallow root contains throat-coating mucilage and hence it can also be used in the treatment of sore throat. Marshmallow root tea is the best way to treat sore throat along with common cough and cold. To make this herbal tea, add one tablespoon of the dried marshmallow root to one cup of boiling water and steep it for about half an hour.
Finally strain the solution, add some honey and drink it. You can have three cups of this herbal tea in a day. Those who are diabetic must not follow this remedy. Also this remedy is not recommended for pregnant or nursing women.
8. Slippery Elm
Slippery elm contains mucilage, a gel like substance that coats the throat and eases the soreness and reduces the throat irritation. For the treatment of sore throat use the inner bark of slippery elm. Take one teaspoon of the inner bark of slippery elm and add it to two cups of boiling water. Allow it to steep for a few minutes, and then strain the solution and drink it slowly while it is still warm.
In fact, you can use this solution for the treatment of any kind of respiratory illness or laryngitis. If this herb is not available, you can also buy slippery elm in capsule form from any medical store.
9. Fenugreek
The next powerful ingredient to treat sore throat is fenugreek. You can prepare a gargle from fenugreek seeds, which is very effective to treat sore throat. Add two tablespoon of fenugreek seeds to six cups of water and boil it for about half an hour. Allow it to come to room temperature and then filter the solution.
Now use this solution as a gargle. The mucus-dissolving properties present in fenugreek will help to ease sore throat and give you instant relief from pain and inflammation. You must gargle with this solution three to four times a day.
10. Turmeric
Another easy and great remedy for sore throat is turmeric which has powerful antiseptic properties. Take a quarter teaspoon of turmeric powder and add it to one glass of warm drinking water. Mix it properly and then drink it slowly in the morning on an empty stomach. Follow this remedy once daily for three to four days. Alternatively, you can add one teaspoon of turmeric powder and one teaspoon of ground black pepper to one glass of warm milk and drink it before going to bed.
You can also gargle with turmeric to soothe a bad throat. Gargle with a mixture of water, salt, and turmeric. This is a very effective home remedy for relieving pain, plus, the ingredients are available 24x7 in all kitchens. Add one tea-spoon of salt and a pinch of turmeric to 8 ounce of warm water. The mixture should not be hot or you might scold your throat.
11. Salt Water gargles
One of the best ways to get relief from sore throat is to gargle with salt water. Salt works like an antiseptic and helps to draw water out of mucous membranes in the throat. This cuts phlegm and reduces inflammation and gives you instant relief.
12. Chicken soup
Eating can be difficult if you have a sore throat. Hot and sour chicken soup will not only soothe the pain but will also ensure that you're getting the nutrients to fight inflammation.
To conclude, next time whenever you have sore throat, simply try some of the above mentioned remedies to feel better. However, if you have a sore throat lasting more than two or three days, it is essential to see a doctor.
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