Home Remedies for Sore throat

Home Remedies for Sore throat | @healthbiztips
photo credit: Tea Creative @teacreative @unsplash

Home Remedies for Sore throat

@healthbiztips by Arlene Gentallan | health blog

Sore throat is the inflammation of the throat, marked by pain, itchiness, swelling, and burning sensation which can make speaking and swallowing difficult. Here are nature remedies that can help soothe the pain and unpleasant symptoms of sore throat.

1. Salt water gargle

Gargling with table salt dissolved in warm water is a timeless alternative medicine for throat inflammation and pain because it is a common kitchen staple that is both cheap and easy to prepare. You basically just mix a quarter of salt in a half cup of warm water, then gargle for at least 30 minutes. Salt kills a significant amount of bacteria in the mouth and dislodges others so they can be rinsed off.

2. Baking soda gargle

Another pantry staple is baking soda which when combined with water and used as a mouthwash effectively kills germs in the mouth and throat. To make a baking soda gargle, simply combine 1 teaspoon baking soda with a half cup of water, then gargle for at least 30 minutes.

3. Vinegar gargle

Vinegar is acidic in nature which enables it to kill disease causing bacteria residing in the oral cavity. Although apple cider vinegar has the most popularity, any vinegar can be used to make a vinegar gargle solution. Simply mix a teaspoon of your choice of undiluted vinegar to a cup of warm water, stir the solution, then gargle for no less than 30 seconds. Though, make sure to gargle with water afterwards, since vinegar's acidity can, in turn, damage the enamel of the teeth.

4. Ginger

Ginger has germicidal and anti-inflammatory effect which helps soothes sore throat. Ginger root can be directly chewed raw to relieve the symptoms of sore throat. It can also be made into a tea by simmering 1 inch ginger root or 1 teaspoon ginger powder in 1 cup water for about 15 minutes.

5. Peppermint

Peppermint contains menthol which soothes dry and irritated throat. It's cool, spicy aroma eases the inflammation. There are several ways you can benefit from peppermint's soothing effect:

• Put several drops of peppermint essential oil into a cotton to inhale it.
• Add a few drops of peppermint essential oil to boiling water and breath it's vapour.
• Make a tea by steeping approximately 8 peppermint tea leaves in a cup of  hot water.

6. Oregano

Oregano is a traditional folk remedy for respiratory ailments and sore throat. It has potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and germicidal property. As a home remedy for sore throat, ingest 1 to 2 drops oregano oil 3 times a day. Oregano can also be steeped to make a tea that soothes and relieve throat inflammation.

7. Honey

You may be wondering why honey is considered a home remedy for sore throat when it's sweet. You see, honey is demulcent which is substance that forms a protective coating on the mucous membrane that lines the throat. Furthermore, despite that fact that honey is made up of sugar, it's concentration is considerably high such that it is able to suck up the moisture from bacteria causing them to die. Thus, explaining honey's antibacterial property.

To relieve sore throat using honey, simply consume about one and half teaspoon honey. You can also add it as a sweetener to herbal tea.

8. Licorice root

Similar to honey, licorice has been used since ancient times as a sweetener, and acts a demulcent. Furthermore, it also contains "glycyrrhizic acid" which has antiviral property. To make a potent licorice root tea to relieve sore throat, simply simmer half teaspoon licorice root in a cup of water for about 5 to 15 minutes.

9. Marshmallow root

Not to be confused with fluffy and sugary marshmallow, marshmallow root is a herbal medicine. Like honey, it too acts as a demulcent, forming a protective layer on the surface of the mouth and throat to prevent abrasion.

Marshmallow root is available in several forms like dried roots, tea, powder, and lozenges. Dried marshmallow roots can be steeped in hot water to make a tea that can be sipped to relieve the symptoms of sore throat. Furthermore, honey can also be incorporated in the marshmallow root tea for added flavor and efficacy.