Remedy Sore Throat

A sore throat is a fairly common condition that afflicts a number of people. Sore throats are normally caused by bacterial or viral infections. However, it can also accompany a cold, or can be the result of overuse of the vocal chords, or exposure to too many irritants. Sore throats usually go away within three to five days without any medical attention. However, it can have certain unpleasant symptoms such as an itchy, painful, or tender feeling in the throat which can be accompanied with headache and tiredness.

For quick relief, there are several natural home remedies available. One of the most important things to do when you have a sore throat is to drink a lot of water, at least 8 to 10 glasses. Even though it might be hard to swallow, you could become dehydrated which could aggravate the headache and fever. Moreover, drinking water will help lubricate the throat and also encourage the production of saliva which can help wash the infection away.

You can try gargling with warm water mixed with salt for instant relief from a sore throat. If the sore throatis a result of an infection, the salt will help draw out the liquid in which the bacteria and virus survive and thus kill the infection quickly. The gargling action itself will provide a soothing feeling. If you add pepper to the mixture, it is excellent in stopping the pain and thus provides relief from any inflammation.

Another useful home remedy is taking in steam. You can add stimulating oils such as eucalyptus or tea tree to this mixture to help open up the constricted air passages and allow for freer breathing. Eucalyptus oil acts on receptors in the nasal mucosa to alleviate any congestion, while tea tree oil is a natural antiseptic.

Mix a cup of warm water with 2 teaspoons of honey and lemon juice. Honey acts as a cough suppressant and can stop you from coughing. It also stops your throat from feeling dry and relieves the itchy feeling. Lemons are known to make the immune system stronger. The active ingredients in lemons act as blood purifiers and improve the body’s ability to get rid of toxins.

Consuming more garlic when you have a sore throat can be helpful. This is because garlic contains allicin, a chemical useful for killing bacteria, which will help ward off the infection. Similarly, eating sage is a useful way of treating a sore throat. Sage has anti-viral properties and is therefore useful to battle sore throat caused from a viral infection.