A sore throat is a common condition of the swollen, irritated and painful throat, especially in teenagers and children. This is because young people haven’t built strong immunity against many viruses and bacteria that cause sore throats.
Most sore throats are not serious and often pass just with some effective home remedies, without the need for medical treatments.
Liquids
Staying hydrated is truly important, mostly when you are ill and your throat is inflamed or irritated. Many experts recommend drinking plenty of water in case of a sore throat. You should consume enough liquid so that your urine is clear or light yellow. Drinking plenty of water will keep your mucous membranes well moist and better able to fight bacteria and irritations, as allergens. Apart from water, you can consume homemade juices, lemon water, and surprisingly cayenne pepper and warm water, which are also very effective for treating sore throats.
In order to prepare lemon waster, squeeze some juice from ½-1 lemon and put it into a glass of lukewarm water. Drink this 2-3 times a day.
Make a mixture by using 1 teaspoon of honey, ½ teaspoon of cayenne pepper and a cup of water. It may sound a little bit funky but this is a traditional remedy that many people still use. Drink this 1-2 times a day.
Tea
A warm cup of tea can offer instant, soothing relief for an irritated throat. Some of the most effective and recommended teas for treating sore throats are:
- Licorice root tea
- Ginger and lemon tea
- Marshmallow root tea
- Raspberry tea
- Peppermint tea
Prepare yourself a cup of tea by following the instructions on the tea pack. Moreover, it would be also nice if you find some dried leaves/roots of these amazing plants and use them to make tea. For an extra boost, you can add 1 teaspoon of raw honey. Drink 3-4 times of warm tea per day.
Each of these tea has powerful antibacterial properties and are mostly used for different infections in the throat.
Note: If you have diabetes, you need to consult your GP before using Marshmallow tea, as it can lower your blood sugar.
Soup
This is maybe the oldest, traditional way of treating sore throats, but still some of the best ways. Plus, if you consult your doctor he would definitely recommend you to eat chicken soup in the case of mild throat infection. You can also use tomato or other vegetable soup that will also help you soothe a sore throat.
The sodium in the soup has great anti-inflammatory properties. Moreover, eating could be difficult and painful with a swollen or really sore throat – therefore, sipping some nice lukewarm soup will ensure that you are getting the nutrients you need to destroy the infection.
Gargling
Doing gargling with warm salt water can break down secretions and aid calm a sore throat. It is also known to help destroy bacteria in your throat.
Just add ½ teaspoon of salt into a glass of lukewarm water and mix it well. Use this mixture to make a gargle 3-4 times a day. It will help reduce swelling, soothe the pain and keep your throat clean.
Marshmallows
Though there is no strong evidence that this works, fluid from the marshmallow plant has been used for centuries (generally in tea form) to treat colds, sore throats, and coughs. So, while real marshmallow has little connection to the puffy campfire treats, which took its name, both can have some sore throat-healing properties.
This can be especially convenient is your child suffers from a sore throat or other throat infection. It would be nice if you offer a big package of marshmallows when the child is sick. Moreover, when a throat is really swollen and hurts to swallow, something sweet and slippery like marshmallows may provide some relief.
Anti-inflammatories
Anti-inflammatory medicines are combination anti-inflammatories and pain relievers. They are considered as one of the most effective treatments for a sore throat. These medicines can make you feel better and they will also decrease some of the swelling related to a sore throat.
Plus, if you have a high temperature that is also contributing to the symptoms, so anti-inflammatories will decrease the fever as well. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for the right anti-inflammatory medication. The most recommended for a sore throat are:
Over-the-counter (OTC), and
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), as Aleve or Advil.
Conclusion:
Even if a sore throat is usually not serious enough to visit your doctor, it is still painful and can interfere with eating meals, and good night’s sleep. Luckily, there are some effective natural remedies you can use to soothe the irritation and pain. Gargling with salt and water and consuming soap will help you fight the bacteria in the throat, due to sodium and its powerful anti-inflammatory properties.
Tea is always a good idea for a sore throat. You should also drink plenty of liquids. Rest, self-care methods, and anti-inflammatories can help you feel better.
Remember, antibiotics ARE NOT recommended for a sore throat treatment unless the condition is really serious or you are at risk of a more severe infection.