7 Natural Remedies For Sore Throat

Sore throat is a very common discomfort that, although it can be mainly treated with certain medications, it can also be relieved with the help of some complementary home remedies.

The idea of ​​resorting to home remedies is complementary to the treatment prescribed by the doctor, after an evaluation. You can also use home remedies to avoid over-medication during the day and feel more comfortable.

A sore throat is usually accompanied by other symptoms, such as: feeling fever in the area, feeling unwell, itching, and feeling irritated when swallowing.

Natural Remedies for Sore Throat

1. Gargle with salt water

Gargling is one of the simplest and most effective ways to relieve a sore throat. Salt helps to eliminate bacteria, relieve pain and prevent  upper respiratory tract infections, according to studies such as the one published in the Chilean Journal of Infectology .

Ingredients

• 1 cup of warm water (200 mL)
• 1 spoon of salt (5 g)

What should I do?

• Mix both ingredients well and allow the salt to dissolve before making the gargles.
• Do it two to three times a day.

2. Tablets

There are several pills, without pharmacological analgesics, which serve to relieve sore throat and stimulate saliva production.

Mainly, they combine elements such as honey, great anti-inflammatory and curative, and refreshing herbs, such as:

• mint
• Menthol
• Eucalyptus

3. Chamomile tea

According to studies by the University of Medical Sciences of Camagüey, chamomile has anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties. While it is always best to drink a freshly made chamomile infusion, it can also be taken later.

After the infusion is prepared and still warm, a cloth should be moistened, wrung out and placed around the neck as a compress. The procedure can be repeated as many times as you like to get relief.

4. Hot compress on the throat

Because sore throat includes inflammation of the area, it is believed that applying a heat compress to the area helps to fight it. Our grandparents already recommended wrapping the throat with handkerchiefs. The heat has a vasodilator that relaxes muscles and thus relieves pain.

5. Ginger tea

Ginger is another natural ingredient that can help relieve a sore throat. This is because this root has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties that directly fight the agents that caused the infection.

Various home remedies can be prepared with ginger ; however, the following is one of the easiest to perform. It is recommended to drink up to 3 times a day, when the sore throat is very irritating.

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon of powdered ginger or two tablespoons of fresh grated root (15 g)
• 1 cup of boiling water (250 mL)

What should I do?

• Peel and grate a piece of ginger.
• Boil a glass of water.
• Add ginger and let stand 5 minutes before straining.
• Drink it hot. You can even add lemon.

6. Honey with lemon

Honey is rich in vitamins and trace elements. It has anti-inflammatory, energy and antimicrobial properties. Lemon is rich in vitamin C and, according to some studies, also has antibacterial and antiviral properties.

The combination of these two natural products is excellent for relieving throat discomfort.

Method of preparation

• 1 cup of water (250 mL)
• 2 spoons of honey (50 g)
• The juice of 1/2 lemon

What should I do?

• Boil 1 cup of water. When the water reaches boiling point, add the honey.
• Add the juice of half a lemon when the water is hot, so as not to lose its properties.
• Mix well and drink.

7. Clove

Cloves contain a substance called eugenol which, in turn, has anesthetic, antifungal, bactericidal and antiviral properties, which help fight infections and, consequently, sore throat.

What should I do?

• Simply put a blackhead or two in your mouth and smooth it with your saliva. You can chew them and then swallow or spit them out. It’s effective both ways.

Important

Natural remedies are a complementary aid, not a cure as such. Therefore, they must be used in parallel with the treatment prescribed by the doctor.

On the other hand, it is more advisable to take a single medicine and not several, as it can be counterproductive.

Finally, if the sore throat does not go away or is accompanied by fever, swollen lymph nodes, or a rash, see a doctor immediately.

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