Are you wondering why you’ve got a sore throat?
Too lazy to go all the way to a doctor just for this?
At some point in life, we all suffer from irritation, itchiness, and pain in the throat. Some of us may have trouble eating and drinking, swallowing to be precise; it gets worse with the latter.
What now?
Check out this complete guide to your sore throat problems, where your search stops.
Here comes the part where you could naturally cure the sore throat. Pay attention closely.
Here Are The Remedies To Get Rid Of A Sore Throat Fast:
If you are home and would like to try a few ways to find relief from this condition, here are a couple of pointers, remedies and tips!
How To Gargle To Ease Sore Throat
Foods that Relive Sore Throat Pain
What To Gargle:
Saltwater Gargle
Gargle With Cayenne Pepper
Gargle Sage
Hydrogen Peroxide
1. Saltwater Gargle:
The saltwater gargle saga still stands strong today. Many are skeptical about the same, but even scientific studies have given their nod to the same, so yes, it does work.
What You Will Need:
- Table salt
- Lukewarm water
How To Make :
2. Gargle With Cayenne Pepper:
Cayenne pepper water can help with the healing process of Sore throat, and also brings instant relief for a while.
What You Will Need:
- A tsp of cayenne pepper
- Half a cup of water
How To Make :
-
- Boil a teaspoon of cayenne pepper with half a cup of water
- Strain it to bring it to a gargle concoction.
How It works :
Cayenne pepper oils have a block substance- P which is known to be a potent peptide that helps transmit your discomfort to the brain. This is a relief for most of us to know off, and you can be rest assured that for the next couple of hours the Sore throat wouldn’t bother you.
How frequent to use:
Gargle twice a day with a mouthful.
Tip:
However, cayenne pepper gargling can be discomforting, especially if it touches the tongue and the lips.
[Also Read: Cayenne Pepper Health Benefits]
3. Gargle Sage:
Sage is known to cure almost most general infections and local infections, sore throat too. Today we shall see how it can help cure sore throat, and how to make sage brew at home.
What You Need :
- Sage
- Warm water
- Salt
How To Make :
- Add a tablespoon of sage to a bowl of warm water.
- Allow it to sit for ten minutes.
- Strain the liquid and add salt. Gargle thrice a day with this liquid.
How It Works :
Bacteria is one of the main causes of a sore throat, which sage attacks and kills. Sage helps the tissues to contract; decreasing swelling of the throat tissues. This happens because of phenolic acids in sage, which are antibacterial.
How Frequent to use:
Gargle thrice a day with this liquid.
4. Hydrogen Peroxide:
Our moms would administer hydrogen peroxide to us when we were kids, didn’t they?
What You Need :
- Hydrogen Peroxide
- Water
How To Make :
1.You would need three percent of Hydrogen Peroxide; mixed with a cup of warm water.
2.Dilute the hydrogen peroxide and gargle the concoction.
3.You may add a dash of honey to help the taste buds relax.
How It Works:
Hydrogen Peroxide would be used as an enemy to kill the viruses and bacteria in sore throats too.
How Frequent to use:
Gargle thrice a day with this liquid.
What to Chew
5. Garlic:
Don’t be repulsed by the thought of garlic; a wonder herb that has all the powers to kill bacteria in the throat.
What you need:
- 2 to 3 cloves of fresh garlic
How to use:
You can cut the pod into half and chew on them through the day.
How It Works:
Garlic has an agent in it called allicin, which is a compound on the same lines of that of an antibacterial agent. Garlic thus can bring down the pain and irritation in the throat, if you chew it.
How Frequent to use:
Throughout the day.
6. Cloves:
Cloves can ease the inflammation and swelling in the throat and is an antiseptic and an anesthetic agent too.
What you need:
- 1 – 2 cloves
How to use
- Put 1 – 2 cloves into mouth and let it stay till soft
- Now chew on the cloves for few minutes and swallow them.
- Repeat as required.
- Add a pinch of salt while chewing cloves for extra relief.
How It Works : This is because of the presence of eugenol in it, which is known to be nature’s own pain killer. The irritation and pain in the throat would be numbed when you chew one or two of them.
How frequent to use
Chew the clove as you would chew gum, throughout the day.
Tip : Don’t use clove oil if you don’t have whole cloves; the former can create loose motion and stomach upsets.
7. Marshmallows:
Not the campfire marshmallows, but the natural ones found at organic grocery stores. One would need to have four or five of them, and chew on them once a day to get relief from a sore throat, say experts.
How It Works
This is because marshmallows have gelatin on them, which can help bring relief from the pain and irritation that the throat is infested with. Even the sap of marshmallows found in the root can be effective and can be brewed into a tea (the same way as you make your normal tea).
How frequent we can use:
Use when there is irritation in the throat.
Best Tea for a Sore Throat
8. Herbal Teas:
How It Works : Herbal Teas are excellent to have and to heal a sore throat too when it’s had lukewarm and more on the cold side. What happens when you consume mild herbal tea is that the mucus in the throat gets cut off and flows out. So any form of mild tea can be consumed, which helps fight the infection in the throat.
Ex : green tea, ginger tea etc
Tip : To make it a tasty affair, add a dash of lime and honey to the teas and enjoy your sips.
9. Baking Soda “Tea”:
Did we just say Baking soda? You read that right.
What You Need :
- Baking Soda
- Salt
- Water
How To Make :
- Conjure salt water as described above and add a pinch of Baking soda to it.
- Gargle as you usually do thrice a day.
How It Works :
Baking soda is a powerhouse of antibacterial agents that kills the nasty mucus and bacteria in the throat. Since Baking soda is high in alkalinity, it also helps balance the pH levels and soothes the irritation of the throat too- the tissues of the throat.
How frequent to use:
Thrice a day
10. Pomegranate Tea:
Pomegranates can be eaten as a whole fruit or juiced or made into teas.
What You Need :
- Pomegranate
How To Make :
- Add the rinds to a litre of water and boil for three minutes.
- To make the tea, you would need a full pomegranate (seeded) and the rinds saved.
- Then remove, strain and let it cool. Either gargle with this concoction or drink it up thrice a day in small sips when warm.
How It Works : Pomegranates are potential gladiators that strengthen the immune system and can kill the bacteria and viruses found in the throat. This helps with the contraction of the tissues in the throat causing the swelling and pains to go down.
How frequent to use
Gargle or sip on the concoction thrice a day
11. Chamomile Tea:
Another natural way at home to cure sore throats would be to drink chamomile tea.
How To Make
- A bag of the wonder herb (size of a tea bag) should be added to warm water and brewed.
- Add a little honey to taste and sip the brew thrice a day.
How It Works : Chamomile has the power to kill bacteria and works as a painkiller too. Moreover, the anti-spasmodic properties helps the muscles of the larynx relax as well, which gives you relief too.
How frequent to use
Thrice a day.
12. Licorice Root Tea:
What You Need :
- Licorice Roots
- Cinnamon Sticks (powdered)
- Chamomile Flowers
- Water
How To Make:
- Strain and remove the tea.
- Combine chopped licorice roots, half a spoon of cinnamon sticks, half a cup of chamomile flowers.
- Brew them in hot water for two minutes.
- Let it cool down a bit and then sip the tea through the day. Add honey for taste.
How It Works : Licorice root has anti-inflammatory properties in it, which brings down the swelling and the irritation. When it is drunk twice a day, it can also remove the irritating mucus in the throat.
How frequent to use
Sip the tea through the day.
13. Cinnamon Sticks:
Cinnamon can help bring relief from a sore throat, how?
How To Make:
- Mix a teaspoon of cinnamon in warm water and inhale the steam.
- But if you don’t want to do that, you could add honey to the warm concoction and drink it. Or add your favourite tea leaves to the concoction and sip it all day long as well.
How It Works:
The high amount of antioxidants found in cinnamon and the aroma are known to help open up the sinuses. The cinnamon aroma can also lessen the mucus production too and this allows breathing to be easy as well.
How frequent to use:
All day long.
14. Ginger:
The use of ginger with all its properties helps defeat the pains associated with sore throat. Ginger also has been used to defeat common colds and coughs too.
How To Consume?
Have it raw with salt, or have a cup of ginger tea.
How To Make Ginger Tea :
- Add a few pieces of ginger in a boiling pan of tea and water.
- It should be brewed for two minutes.
- Strain the same and serve warm, sip the tea all through the day. Add a dash of lime and honey to enhance the taste.
How It Works : Ginger is an expectorant, which means, ginger helps expel and loosen up mucus in the respiratory system and the throat. Moreover, since ginger helps defeat inflammation, it also kills away the bacteria that cause the sore throat condition too.
How frequent to use:
All day long.
15. Honey For Sore Throat
Since ancient days, honey has been used to clear Sore throat conditions for many. Honey is a natural remedy which can be used to treat the Sore throat condition, and here’s why.
The best way would be to add some honey into your herbal teas as tannins help as astringents to clear the infection away.
There are a number of honey recipes, so pick the one you prefer.
How To Make :
Honey & Milk : You can have honey just as it is; a tablespoon of it, or you can add it to a cup of tea or warm milk and consume it twice a day. Warm up your tea or milk and relax sipping it several times a day, which helps moisturize the throat and removes the infection too.
Honey & Pepper : Some prefer to have it with a pinch of pepper, or in their teas which helps speed the recovery of Sore throat.
Honey & Lemon : You can add a tablespoon of honey to a glass of warm lemon water.
This will be an astringent concoction that washes and flushes the nasty waters and fluids in the tissues, and shrink them too to defeat inflammation and swelling in the throat as well.
Honey & Apple Cider Vinegar : Mix a spoon of honey with an equal amount of apple cider vinegar, and pour the mix in a cup of warm water. Have it when it is warm, with a pinch of salt for taste. You can have it or gargle on it, and this concoction will surely help with clearing of the sore throat too.
How It Works : It has anti-inflammation properties that brings down the swelling and pain of the glands and washes away the mucus membranes. While the enzyme Glucose-oxidase in it fights away the throat infection.
Other Natural Remedies
16. Lemon Juice:
How It Works : Try a glass of lemon juice with a dash of salt and pepper, to feel refreshed and get rid of that annoying itch in the throat. Since it has plenty of vitamin C in it, it would help strengthen the immunity system and cut off the mucus in the throat too.
Tip : However, have your lemon juice with lukewarm water to help fight the infection better.
17. Medicinal Drinks:
How It Works : The market is also flooded with plenty of medicinal drinks, for which your doctors consent is needed, even though most of them are OTC products. In most of the OTC medicinal drinks that cure Sore throat, you would find decongestants and antihistamine as active ingredients that are formulated keeping in mind the infection in the throat.
Tip : They have to be consumed as per your doctors instructions with regard to frequency of consumption.
18. Apple Cider Vinegar:
Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) is another potent agent that helps beat infections in the throat.
What You Need :
- Honey
- Apple Cider Vinegar
- Warm water
How to Make
- You can mix a cap of Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) with a tablespoon of honey and a cup of warm water.
- Stir up a brew; drink this brew thrice a day.
How It Works : Medical experts too swear by the same, which is why we would suggest having Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV), since it can kill the pathogenic bacteria in the throat. This is because Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) is highly acidic, and when you mix a cap of it with a tablespoon of honey and consume the same, the soothing sensation is heavenly for the throat.
Tip: If you don’t want to drink this warm concoction, you can gargle with it the way you would usually gargle –
How frequent to use:
twice a day.
Foods that cure Sore Throat
19. Chicken Soup:
Science time and again has proven how beneficial chicken soup is.
What You Need :
- Chicken breast pieces
- Vegetables of your choice
- Cardamom
- Cloves
- Salt
- Pepper
How To Make :
- Boil the chicken breast pieces and cut vegetables.
- After they boil, add the cardamom, salt, pepper and cloves. Spices that you prefer could be added too.
- Brew on slow fire, until the chicken is tender and soft. Remove and strain the stew and have it warm.
How It Works : It has the strength to bring down inflammation and also decongests the throat since it doesn’t allow the white blood cells in the upper respiratory tract to move around too much.
Tip : The chicken necessarily doesn’t need to be included. As the hot brewing soup does most of the magic on the sour throat.
20. Popsicles (Ice-Creams):
Can we have popsicles or ice-creams when we have a sore throat? Yes, you can!
How It Works : Ice creams and popsicles can help numb and soothe the throat to a great extent. But not all ice-creams- stick to vanilla and plain forms of ice creams.
For temporary relief, frozen desserts are good sans the nuts and fruits in it.
Tip :
- Any addition to the dessert may cause more irritation to the throat; plus the extra calories is what you should avoid. Like, chocolate sauce, syrups etc should be avoided.
- Ultra sweet ice creams, popsicles, and desserts are not advised to have.
Lifestyle to Follow
21. Rest Your Voice Because SILENCE IS GOLDEN:
If you are suffering from Sore throat, it would be wise to give your throat the much needed rest. Your throat wouldn’t be able to deal with the infection if you strain too much, chances are you would lose your voice temporarily, say experts.
How It Works : Your voice at this point needs a break, which is why we are insisting on no talking, yelling, screaming and singing for a few hours in a day. This helps the epithelial tissues with the much needed repair.
22. Drink Plenty of Water:
How It Works : Water is a good way to heal sore throat, as it soothes the throat and prevent a dry throat. Ice pops and milk as well can be had when cool.
23. Vitamin C:
Why is vitamin C such a potent home remedy to help cure Sore throat?
How It Works
You could be suffering from low immunity, colds and coughs, Sore throats or strep throats, vitamin C will help you through and through. Foods rich in vitamin C such as kale, bell peppers and oranges or tangerines should be consumed too.
Vitamin C has antioxidants in it, which helps with the cure of all the above symptoms.
Tip:
- Vitamin C in tablets or syrups or through foods should be consumed thrice a day, when Sore throat happens.
- Over-consumption of Vitamin C would lead to diarrhea, so chalk out your dosage plan accordingly.
24. Steam It Out:
There is a reason why we are asked us to inhale steam when we had coughs, colds and a sore throat!
What You Need :
- Large dish
- Water
- Towel
- Essential Oil/Vicks
How To Make :
- Add a few drops of any essential oil or vicks.
- You can fill a dish with clear water and boil the liquid.
- Remove from the flames and at a safe angle place.
- Place your head over the steaming water; covering your head with a large towel and take deep breaths.
How It Works : Steam is a natural agent that can ease the swelling and pains associated with sore throat, and also moistens up the throat to prevent dryness from setting in- does away with congestion too.
Steaming done once a day helps decongest!
Tip :
Be careful when leaning over the bowl; too high and it wouldn’t be effective, and too low it would be dangerous.
Keep your eyes closed at all times for the soothing effect to take over. Take a hot shower after that and allow the steam to settle in.
While you are trying hard to let your throat heal, a set of precautions could aid you better in this struggle.
Every precaution needs your attention. You’ll know why!
Precautions:
All of us are pretty much prone to the condition of sore throats, so should follow some precautions, such as :
- Toothbrushes should be changed once a month because of the bacteria that settle on the bristles of the brush. And when you have recovered from the sore throat infection, discarding of the brush for the same reason is advised. If this is not done, chances are in the near future, reinfection would happen.
- Try not sharing the same cutlery and utensils with others. This goes with towels and napkins and clothing items too.
- If you have to use public phones, allowing the mouth or the nose too close to the speaker isn’t advised. You have to be wary.
- If someone is suffering from a sore throat, give them a mouth mask and wear one too when working, moving around or living with them. Disposable mouth masks are available in all chemist shops.
- Wear a mouth mask when walking out of home every day; helps keep the pollution away from your lungs.
- Cut down on alcohol consumption, and stop smoking or avoid being amidst smokers.
- If you live in colder climes, buy and use a dehumidifier at home.
- Rest and sleep adequately for the body to refresh and rejuvenate or else the immunity goes for a toss.
- Be well-protected from chemicals and fossil fuels if that’s what you deal with on a daily basis. Even household disinfectants and chemicals can cause infection of the throat.
- Maintain high hygiene levels. Hands should be washed before every meal and a sanitizing gel should be carried always.
The most important part of our lives is food.
However disheartening it may be, to not see your favourite foods not on the list, following the right food diets could benefit you in not some, but in all ways.
Stay healthy by just reading this :
Foods To Have:
While the sore throat problem exists, don’t forget to include a healthy diet. Here is what you can eat!
- Anything warm, such as cooked pasta, cooked rice, cooked macaroni and even a little cheese, with cooked oatmeal and cereals.
- You can also have a range of gelatin infused cold desserts sans the nuts and fruits, plain yogurts and pureed fruits as well.
- Vegetables need to be steamed and pureed, mashed and cooked well.
- Soups and broths
- Lukewarm Milk
- Juices, the non-acidic ones only
- Eggs in any form
Foods To Avoid:
There are some foods that you should avoid when you are suffering from sore throat. Some of them are :
- Chips and nuts
- Crackers
- Any snack that is crusty
- Spicy sauces and seasonings
- Coffees and sodas
- Alcohol and wine
- Dry fruits and foods
- Raw veggies
- Acidic foods
- Dairy products (Except Milk)
When To Consult A Doctor?
In most cases, sore throat happens to stay for a week at the max; if it stays longer and if the pain is severe, not taking the name to leave, medical attention is a must. Here are a few scenarios when you need to call the doctor right away.
- If the pain is prolonged in the throat
- If you have problems breathing
- If you have problems swallowing
- If you have problems opening your mouth
- If there are pains of the joint and the ears
- If you see rashes developing on the skin
- If there is a fever above 101F
- If your phlegm is bloody and the saliva too
- If a sore throat recurs frequently
- If the voice is hoarse for more than a fortnight
Head to the doctor and get a couple of tests done. If the results are negative, he would advise the best treatment when the examination is done.
Sore throat is so common, so why are you prescribed antibiotics?
Should I Take Antibiotics?
This is a step to be taken after consulting the doctor. Antibiotics would only be prescribed for severe cases which help with symptom alleviation. They help impair and kill the pathogenic bacteria but do not cure the viral infection since the resistance is lowered by the viruses.
FAQ’s:
Q. What Is a Strep Test for a Sore Throat?
A strep test checks for infections in the throat. Specifically checks for streptococcus bacteria to check if that is what is causing the infection. The strep test is painless and lasts only a few minutes.
Q. Can you have a sore throat with acid reflux?
Acid reflux, more than actually being the cause of a sore throat, gives sore throat-like atypical symptoms i.e. a lump at the back of the throat feeling, the need to clear the throat etc.
Q. Why do people have sore throats after smoking?
The smoke that goes in irritates the tissues and glands in the throat causing it to produce more mucus. The toxins and chemicals in second hand smoke have cancer producing compounds that start from a sore throat and lead to cancers in some cases.
Q. Can you smoke while having a sore throat?
It is advised not to smoke while having a sore throat as the heat generated by the cigarettes can further inflame the throat. This causes the throat to become more sore and difficulties are faced in swallowing.
Q. Do menthol cigarettes help a sore throat?
Menthol triggers the cold sensitive nerves in the body, so this in turn helps to soothe the throat. A dry throat is common among smokers, and menthol can only help a dry throat. It doesn’t necessarily cure the sore throat as any type of cigarette is still harmful.
Q. Can you get strep throat twice in a row?
Yes it is possible. Strep throat could occur several times in a year, and it is advised to perform a tonsillectomy if it occurs more than a few times. This process could avoid further occurrence of strep throat, although in some cases, it does reoccur.
Q. Do menthol cigarettes help a sore throat?
Menthol triggers the cold sensitive nerves in the body, so this in turn helps to soothe the throat. A dry throat is common among smokers, and menthol can only help a dry throat. It doesn’t necessarily cure the sore throat as any type of cigarette is still harmful.
Q. How Long Does A Sore Throat Last With Early HIV?
The symptoms that accompany AIDS could last for a week or more, not less than a week. So when a sore throat is ongoing for more than a week, it is better to get a medical check up.
Q. Can Air Conditioning Cause a Sore Throat?
Air conditioners are sure going to give you a cold vibe, but that isn’t the direct cause of a sore throat. The human error involved in using the air conditioner such as running it with vent closed etc, are the reasons why you may feel a cold catching on.
Q. Is it bad to eat chocolate when you have a sore throat?
Chocolate has no direct influence over the sore throat condition. Eating chocolate could be irritating to the throat while having a sore throat, just like it would be while eating any other thing. So eating chocolate does no harm particularly.
Q. Why is my throat really sore when I wake up in the morning?
That is because we are sleeping indoors, where there is dry air due to closed and heated buildings. We often breathe through the mouth at night, which could also be a possible reason for the sore throat feeling early in the morning.
Disclaimer: For more help and information on sore throat, its symptoms, remedies, causes and how to deal with it, we would advise speaking to your doctor. His words would take precedence over what is written here or elsewhere. Do remember, this post has been penned down for INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY!
Stay healthy and be happy!
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4 comments
is sore throat a symptom of hiv infection
Why do I have a sore throat with no other symptoms?
Is a sore throat a recurring problem?
Usually not. A recurring sore throat normally persists in people affected with HIV, so it is better to get tested to be on the safe side.