Throat infections easily catch up on both adults and children. One of the most common throat infections is strep throat. It is a painful respiratory condition, preventing one from eating, sleeping, and making it hard to swallow food.
What is Strep Throat?
Strep throat is also known as streptococcal pharyngitis, and is a throat infection that can affect the pharynx, larynx and tonsils. Common symptoms of this contagious disease include white patches on throat, reddening of tonsils, sore throat, and fever and vomiting.
Strep throat normally affects children between the age of five and fifteen, but it can also affect adults. It is contagious and mostly occurs during colder months. It is best to get immediate treatment to avoid spreading to other people. If left without any treatment, strep throat can lead to serious health complications such as kidney inflammation and rheumatic fever.
Antibiotics and other medications are often used for treating strep throat. But there are also several home remedies that can relive the discomfort and treat strep throat.
Causes:
There are various causes that lead to strep throat:
- Strep throat is a throat and tonsils infection. It is caused by group A streptococcus bacteria, which is also known as Group A strep. This bacterium is very contagious.
- Strep throat can be transmitted through an infected person’s cough, sneeze, and close contact. It also is easily spread just by sharing a glass, plate, and doorknob.
- Having foods that are too hot or too cold can further irritate the throat and aggravate the condition.
- Excessive smoking can further irritate the throat and worsen the problem.
- Treatment negligence is also one of the main causes.
Symptoms:
Strep throat is a bacterial infection, and its symptoms can vary from person-to-person. A few of its common symptoms are listed below:
- Strep throat is often accompanied with a high temperature or a high fever, mainly when it is 101 degree F or higher
- One experiences a sore, red throat, white patches in the throat, and tiny red spots on the mouth when infected with sore throat.
- Sudden chills, body aches, and headaches are also common symptoms of strep throat.
- When infected with sore throat, one experiences a loss of appetite, and also has trouble swallowing.
- Swollen or tender lymph nodes in the neck are a common symptom of strep throat.
- Non-itchy red rash and signs are indicative of scarlet fever, which is a severe bacterial infection.
Strep Throat vs. Sore Throat
- Sore throat usually starts with throat pain, and is normally caused by a virus. While, strep throat is a throat infection caused by bacteria
- While sore throat has clear symptoms, strep throat is usually accompanied with the symptoms of viral infection
- Strep throat does not include cold symptoms, like coughing, runny nose, and sneezing. While sore throat is usually accompanied by cold symptoms
- Sore throat is quite painful, but strep throat is more painful comparatively
- Sore throat can respond to antibiotics, while strep throat is not responsive to antibiotics
- Sore throat will not last more than a week, while a strep throat can keep happening
- Strep throat can cause the voice to turn hoarse for more than two weeks, while sore throat does not accompany such signs
- High fever that is 101 F higher can be a sign of strep throat infection. Sore throat is usually accompanied with a low fever
Natural Remedies for Strep Throat
Along with medications, there are also natural remedies that can be used for treating strep throats. These remedies can include:
1. Bone broth
What all you need?
- 2 cups bone broth
- 3 inch piece fresh ginger root
- 5 cloves garlic
- 1 tsp sea salt
- Lemon juice
Directions:
- In a saucepan, put all the ingredients except for lemon. Leave it to simmer.
- Set it off to cool
- Strain out the ginger garlic mixture
- Squeeze in the lime juice
How it works:
Ginger is soothing to the gut lining. It reduces throat pain and inflammation. The bone broth supports healthy tissue regeneration, promotes digestion, and reduces inflammation. It can soothe swollen tonsils caused by strep throat.
Tip:
Instead of making bone broth, you can also make use of protein powder made out of bone broth. This can help to relieve from strep throat instantly. You can drink this warm bone broth throughout the day for relief.
2. Raw Honey
What all you need?
- 1 tsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tsp raw honey
- 1 cup water
Directions:
- Heat water in a cup of water
- Mix 1 tsp raw honey and 1 tsp apple cider vinegar
- Drink the mixture when it is warm
- Gargle twice a day when the mixture is still warm
How it works:
Raw honey acts as an anti-inflammatory agent that soothes irritated skin, and glands inside the throat. It helps to fight bacteria and can soothe strep throat.
3. Oil Pulling
What all you need?
1 to 2 tsp of coconut oil
Directions:
- Use 1 to 2 tsp of coconut oil in your mouth
- Leave for at least 10 minutes
- Spit out the oil from your mouth
- Rinse your mouth thoroughly and brush your teeth
How it works:
Oil pulling has the ability to decrease the strep bacteria presence in the mouth.
Tip:
Try this oil pulling technique to suck up the toxins from your mouth, and maintain oral health.
4. Salt Water Gargle
What all you need?
- 1 tsp sea salt
- 8 oz glass of warm water
Directions:
- Add one tsp of sea salt to 8 oz glass of warm water
- Mix well
- Gargle well for 30 seconds or 1 minute
- Expel
How it works:
The salt breaks mucus and lessens swelling of delicate tissues. The salt water helps to reduce swelling, and soothe the strep throat.
Tip:
Try this solution to relieve strep throat.
5. Herbal Tea
What all you need?
- 2 to 3 tsp dried dandelion flowers
- Lemon juice
- Honey
Directions:
- Add two or three tsp of dried chamomile or dandelion flowers to a cup of boiling water
- Allow it to steep for 10 minutes
- Strain the mixture and add few drops of lemon juice and honey
How it works:
Dandelion tea can help treat infection and is an excellent remedy for strep throat
Tip:
Drink this herbal tea three times a day for three days.
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6. Cayenne pepper
What all you need?
- ¼ tsp cayenne powder
- 1 tsp honey
- 3 grated garlic cloves
Directions:
- Mix ¼ tsp of cayenne powder, 1 tsp honey and three grated garlic cloves
- Stir well
How it works:
Cayenne is an effective natural remedy for strep throat. This powder contains antibacterial properties that can reduce inflammation.
Tip:
Take 1 tsp of this mixture, every one hour, for one week for noticeable results. Do not drink water right after having the mixture.
7. Garlic
What all you need?
- 1 tsp grated garlic
- ¼ tsp cinnamon
- 1 pinch cayenne pepper
- 1 cup water
Directions:
- Boil water in a vessel
- Add all the ingredients into boiling water. Let it boil for two minutes
- Strain the mixture
- Drink it when it is warm
How it works:
Garlic contains anti-inflammatory properties, and is an excellent home remedy for reducing strep throat. It can help the body fight off infection.
Tip:
Drink the mixture twice a day until you find relief.
8. Apple Cider Vinegar
What all you need?
- 1 to 3 tsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 cup warm water
Directions:
- Mix one or two tsp of apple cider vinegar to one cup of warm water
- Gargle the mouth thoroughly and expel
How it works:
Apple cider vinegar is an excellent solution for strep throat as it has natural healing properties for killing bacteria
Tip:
Use this mouth rise to gargle your mouth twice daily. Continue with it until you feel better.
9. Colloidal silver
What all you need?
- 1 to 2 tsp of colloidal silver
Directions:
- Gargle your mouth with 1 to 2 tsp colloidal silver for two minutes, and then swallow
How it works:
Colloidal silver is a powerful remedy for strep throat as it contains antibiotic properties and fight against bacteria.
Tip:
Repeat this routine five times a day.
10. Essential Oils
What all you need?
- 1 cup water
- 2 drops essential oil (thyme oil, lemon essential oil)
Directions:
- Mix two drops of essential oil to a cup of water
- Gargle the mouth thoroughly and expel
How it works:
Essential oils support the respiratory systems, and make it an excellent remedy for strep throat.
Tip:
You can also use two drops of essential oil like thyme oil to relief from body aches.
11. Peppermint
What all you need?
- 1 to 2 drops peppermint oil
- 1 glass water
Directions:
- Add 1-2 drops of peppermint to one glass of water
- Rinse your mouth thoroughly and expel
How it works:
Peppermint oil is a great remedy for strep throat. It can help to lessen swelling in the throat. It contains menthol, and can help relieve the throat.
Tip:
You can also use 1-2 drops of peppermint oil to your throat, chest, and temples for instant relief.
12. Chamomile tea
What all you need?
- 2-3 tsp dried chamomile flowers
- 1 cup hot water
- Lemon juice or honey (optional)
Directions:
- Add two to three tsp of dried chamomile flowers to a cup of hot water
- Steep for 10 minutes
- Strain the mixture
How it works:
Chamomile contains analgesic properties that can provide relief to headache and throat pain. These two symptoms are common for strep throat. Add few drops of lemon juice or honey.
Tip:
Have the chamomile tea three times a day for five days.
13. Baking soda
What all you need?
- ¼ tsp baking soda
- 1/8 tsp salt
- 1 cup warm water
Directions:
- Swish ¼ tsp of baking soda, and 1/8 tsp of salt, in a glass of warm water
- Rinse the mouth thoroughly and expel
How it works:
Gargling with baking soda that is mixed with salt water can relief one of strep throat. This remedy can help reduce bacteria growth.
Tip:
Try this baking soda mouth rinse every three hours.
14. Fenugreek
What all you need?
- 2 tsp Fenugreek seeds
- 1 litre water
Directions:
- Add 2 tsp of fenugreek seeds to room temperature water in a vessel
- Boil this mixture and simmer for 10 minutes
- Then lower the flame, and allow it simmer for one hour
- Remove from the water, after the mixture changes color
- Set it off to cool
How it works:
Strep throat is a natural remedy for strep throat. It can kill the growth of bacteria and relieve from pain.
Tip:
This water can be used for gargling twice a day. You can gargle thrice a day, if your strep throat is severe.
15. Marshmallow root
What all you need?
- Dried marshmallow root
- 1 cup water
Directions:
- Add few dried marshmallow root to one cup of boiling water
- Set it off to cool
- Drink when warm
How it works:
Sip warm marshmallow root tea. It can help soothe strep throat and reduce swelling.
Tip:
Sip this tea twice a day to ease strep throat. Alternatively, add raw local honey for fighting off bacteria.
16. Licorice root
What all you need?
- Dried licorice root
- 1 cup water
Directions:
- Add few dried licorice root to one cup of boiling water
- Set it off to cool
- This mixture can be used for gargling
How it works:
Licorice root contains anti-inflammatory properties that can help to loosen mucus and clear respiratory system. It can soothe and calm lungs.
Tip:
Alternatively, you can also drink licorice root infused tea thrice a day for best results.
17. Boost your vitamin C and D
What all you need?
- Vitamin C foods
- Vitamin D foods
Directions:
- Include Vitamin C contained foods like orange, strawberries, kale, kiwi, and grapefruit in your diet. Alternatively, make a smoothie
- Include foods that include Vitamin D like tuna, mackerel, salmon, cheese, and egg yolks
How it works:
Vitamin C contained fresh fruits can improve strep throat. It can strengthen immune system, and repair throat tissue damage. While, Vitamin D has antimicrobial defenses, and improve respiratory conditions.
Tip:
Combine the fruits for making healthy drinks.
Say No to Antibiotics
Becoming sick quite often is upsetting, to say the least. But that does not mean you have to reach for fast relief pills especially antibiotics. Overusing antibiotics is not a good thing. You should learn to say no to antibiotics especially without doctor’s prescription. Here are few reasons:
- Antibiotics can help to fight out against various infections, but it won’t work for viral infections. It can help to ease out symptoms of strep throat, but only when one is on medication. The symptoms can start again in course of time.
- As said above, strep throat is a bacterial infection and unfortunately overuse of antibiotics can make it harder to treat. Bacteria tend to become resistant to drugs over a lapse of time, making it difficult to treat it. Or, if you stop talking antibiotics too early, bacterial that are not killed on the first treatment can tend to grow stronger and become resistant.
- One can experience side effects such as diarrhea, skin rash, nausea, and vomiting if they are allergic to the antibiotic medicine
- It is necessary to do a lab test before deciding to take antibiotics, as it will not treat against viral sore throats.
Precautions
- People with strep throat should avoid sneezing and coughing in front of others, to avoid the bacteria from spreading. Prevent sharing glasses, plates, and food for two weeks
- Make sure to wash your hands as often as possible throughout the day. Castile soap is a good option
- Replacing your toothbrush when you have strep throat is a good idea. This can avoid the spread of group A strep infection
Tips
- Make use of natural soaps, to wash dishes, clean bathroom floor, and kitchen counter
- Use antibacterial soap to wash your hands and remove any trace of Group A strep.
- Avoid eating spicy, and acidic foods to prevent related pain
- Prevent chemical fumes and smoke that can cause inflammation
