Pain? Itching in the throat? Difficulty in swallowing food?
If you notice such symptoms, then it’s most probably a sore throat.
A sore throat is one of the common health issues. Irritation, pain and difficulty in swallowing are common symptoms of a sore throat. This pain of sore throat intensifies when you are eating food or drinking any liquid.
A sore throat is basically your immune system’s response to bacterial and viral infections. Your natural immune response causes the swelling and inflammation of the mucous membrane of the throat.
Even if your sore throat is not a serious situation, it is still extremely painful, and leads to fever and may also hinder getting good sleep.
But, no need to worry!
There are various remedies that provide relief from the sore throat and are backed by scientific evidence.
Table of Contents
11 Natural Sore Throat Home Remedies
Here are 11 natural sore throat remedies to help you in relieving sore throat irritation and pain. So, if you want to cure sore throat naturally, read on.
1. Cure Sore Throat by Gargles with Salt Water
Gargling with salt water is one of the cheapest and easiest home remedies for sore throat. It helps in breaking down the secretions. It is also effective in killing the sore throat causing bacteria in the throat.
But, How to Prepare and Use Salt Water for Gargling?
Here’s the method:
You need to make a saltwater solution.
- Take half a teaspoon of salt in a glass full of warm water
- Gargle it before sleeping and after waking up
- It helps in cleaning your throat and reducing the swelling
- Repeat this every three hours
2. Gargling with Cassia fistula Pods
Cassia fistula, also known as “amaltas phali” in the local language. It is quite effective for sore throat home remedies.
Amaltas has enormous advantages. It is good for migraine, joint pain, chest pain and even blood dysentery. The roots of amaltas are also effective in heart diseases, fever, biliousness etc.
From hemorrhages to rheumatic conditions, cardiac biliousness, ulcers, wounds, boils and skin diseases, the Cassia fistula is a miracle plant.
Gargling with “amaltas ki phali” relieves the pain and irritation from the sore throat especially if someone suffers from tonsillitis pain as well. It is one of the effective sore throat home remedies.
Let me tell you how to prepare and use it:
- You need water and an amaltas ki phali (Cassia fistula pod).
- Break the Cassia fistula pod. Do Not use the seeds in it. Instead, with the help of a spoon, take out the marrow of the pod.
- In about 500ml of water, add 1/4th tablespoon of the marrow of Cassia fistula and let it boil.
- When the color of the water changes (somewhat between brown to dark brown), remove it from the stove.
- Wait for a few minutes as too hot of this solution can burn your throat.
- Sieve this solution and drink it when it’s slightly cooled down.
- Repeat this procedure twice a day (before sleeping and after breakfast) for best results. It is one of the best remedies for sore throat.
3. Gargle with Apple Cider Vinegar for Your Sore Throat
Everyone knows the benefits of apple cider vinegar for weight loss. It’s a must-have kitchen item.
But do you know apple cider vinegar is one of the effective home remedies for sore throat?
Apple cider vinegar or ACV has naturally antibacterial properties, thus helping in fighting against infections.
ACV is acidic in nature, hence it breaks down the mucus, stops bacteria from spreading and cures sore throat naturally.
Here’s how you can use apple cider vinegar for sore throat:
- Take 1-2 tablespoons of the apple cider vinegar, add it to lukewarm water and mix it.
- Take a small sip of this mixture and gargle.
- Repeat this process 1-2 times per hour.
- Make sure you are thoroughly hydrated and drink enough water in between the gargling sessions.
ACV can be used in a variety of different ways as a natural home remedy to cure sore throat. But it depends upon the sensitivity and severity of the sore throat. Therefore before using ACV, it is recommended to consult your doctor.
4. Gargle with Baking Soda
It is another effective sore throat remedy.
Even though gargling with salt water is more common for curing sore throat, gargling with baking soda combined with salt water also helps in relieving sore throat. Gargling with this particular solution helps in preventing and killing bacteria, fungi and yeast that can cause infection.
According to the recommendation of the National Cancer Institute, you can do baking soda gargles in the following way:
- 1/8 teaspoon of salt, 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda and 1 cup of warm water.
- Mix all of the ingredients thoroughly.
- Use it as recommended i.e. gargle after every 3 hours to get relief from sore throat.
5. Chamomile Tea: Natural Delicious Home Remedy for Sore Throat
Chamomile tea has a natural soothing property.
If you are looking for how to cure a sore throat fast, chamomile tea is your answer. It is used due to its astringent, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
Studies show that the symptoms of cold and sore throat are relieved by inhaling the steam of chamomile tea. It helps in stimulating your immune system to fight against the sore throat causing bacteria.
6. Honey: Your Go-to Sore Throat Home Remedy
Honey has natural antibacterial properties. In fact, it is one of the ancient and most common sore throat remedies.
So next time, if you are looking for sore throat home remedies, honey is always a safe and best option. Honey is also an effective remedy for treating flu at home.
Do you know honey is even better than common cough syrups?
Honey is extremely effective to cure nighttime cough. Since it is also a potential wound healer, honey speeds up the process of sore throat healing.
Either mix it with tea, milk or simply take a teaspoon of honey before sleep.
It is without a doubt one of the best sore throat home remedies.
7. Marshmallow Root for Your Sore Throat
Althaea officinalis or marshmallow plant has been used since ancient times to cure sore throat.
The marshmallow plant’s root contains mucilage which is a gelatin-like substance. When a person swallows it, this substance lubricates and coats the throat. It is effective in soothing sore throat and dry cough.
Want to know how to use marshmallow root for sore throat? Here’s the method:
- Take 1 liter of cold water and fill it in a jar.
- Take 28 grams or 1 ounce of the marshmallow root, place it in a cheesecloth and properly tie it up in a bundle.
- Lower this bundle in the jar until it is completely in the water, thoroughly submerged.
- The tied end of the bundle should be over the lip of the jar, now put the lid of the jar and screw it tightly.
- Leave it overnight or at least for about 8 hours. After this remove the bundle.
- Now, add the desired amount in a glass and drink. If you don’t like the taste, you can add any sweetener to it.
- Take the sips of this mixture when it’s ready throughout the day to get relief from the sore throat symptoms.
Note: Make sure to get the best quality marshmallow root from a reliable resource for the best results.
8. Licorice Root Tea for Relieving Sore Throat
Glycyrrhiza glabra or licorice plant is a naturally occurring plant in South Asia and Europe.
Famous for its sweet flavor, licorice is one of the best traditional medicines. The medicinal properties of licorice are similar to that of aspirin that help to reduce the pain of the sore throat.
Licorice has amazing anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antiviral effects.
Studies show that gargling with the water of licorice before the surgery reduced the risk of sore throat by 50% as compared to gargling with sugar water.
Here’s how to prepare licorice root tea:
- Ground the licorice root and add it to hot water.
- Let it steep for at least 5 minutes.
- After this, strain it and drink it to get relief from sore throat
9. Ginger Root Tea to Get Relief from Sore Throat
Ginger- who doesn’t know about ginger? It is one of the ancient spices, having anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties.
As it turns out, ginger is an effective natural remedy for sore throat and throat pain in general. It can kill pathogens that can cause respiratory diseases. It reduces inflammation among people suffering from tuberculosis (TB).
Here’s how to use ginger root tea for your sore throat:
- All you need is fresh ginger root, 1 liter of water, 1 tablespoon of honey or any other sweetener and lemon.
- Thoroughly peel the ginger and grate it.
- Boil the water.
- After this add 1 tbsp of the grated ginger to the boiling water and cover it with a lid.
- Add honey or sweetener (optional) along with a squeeze of lemon juice and stir properly.
- Once ready, drink it when it’s lukewarm. This tea can be taken when it’s cold and it also works well when reheated.
10. Peppermint as Sore Throat Remedy
One of the interesting sore throat remedies is using peppermint.
You may already know about the ability of peppermint to freshen up your breath.
The diluted peppermint oil spray may also have the ability to cure sore throat. Methanol in peppermint helps in calming the sore throat and relieving the cough by thinning the mucus.
The healing properties of peppermint surprises you further as it has antiviral, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.
Remember that you should never use essential oils alone. Mix the essential oils with a carrier oil such as sweet almond oil, olive oil or softened coconut oil.
For peppermint oil to use for sore throat, you need an ounce of carrier oil of your choice and mix 5 drops of the essential oils.
Remember to never ingest the essential oils.
11. Fenugreek for Your Sore Throat
Fenugreek tea is a natural remedy for sore throats. You can eat fenugreek seeds, use the topical oil, or drink fenugreek tea.
It can relieve pain and kill bacteria that cause irritation or inflammation. Fenugreek is also an effective antifungal.
You can prepare a fenugreek tea for your sore throat by boiling a spoonful of fenugreek seeds in water. Cool it, add honey or lemon for extra flavor, and sip this tea.
TakeAway Note
No matter how healthy you are as a person, suffering occasionally from a sore throat is normal. Therefore, no need to worry.
There are many ways to cure a sore throat. Apart from the aforementioned sore throat remedies, you can also opt for steam nasal therapy intake of plenty of fluids, chicken soup, cinnamon almond milk, steam, humidifier, proper sleep and rest to cure your sore throat.
However, if the sore throat issue gets worse and lasts for over a few days, which becomes extremely painful, you should consult an ENT surgeon nearby you. The persistent and severe pain may indicate that you are suffering from tonsillitis, strep throat infection, any other serious infection or any other hidden health issue that needs immediate medical attention.
Book an appointment via Healthwire.pk or by calling at (042) 32500989.