This is one of the most common conditions for which people go to the doctor. It is a very common condition in children. A sore throat can be a very uncomfortable condition. The irritation and pain are the main symptoms of a sore throat, especially when you swallow.
Sore throat causes
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The sore throat happens in the parts of the immune system which respond to bacterial or viral infections. The sore throat is considered a minor problem until you have one and every swallow induces the pain and this pain seems unbearable. Viruses are the most common causes of sore throat.
Also, there are other common causes of sore throats, such as acid reflux; weak immune system; tonsillitis; strep throat (bacterial); flu; cold; exposure to people with a sore throat; smoking; pollution; dry air, and allergies. The most common causes of sore throat are hoarse voice; swollen glands around the neck and throat; dry and itchy throat; difficulty swallowing and pain when swallowing. Also, the first symptom of the common cold and flu is a sore throat. If your sore throat lasts longer than one week, then you need to talk with your doctor as soon as possible. You need to talk with your doctor if you have a sore throat before you start using some of the below-mentioned home remedies.
11 Home remedies for sore throat
Chamomile tea
This natural cure has been used since the middle ages and it is a daisy-like plant. You should consume it as a tea if you suffer from a sore throat. It can promote restful sleep which is a very important step in the healing process. Also, it can reduce pain and helps in the fight against infection. [1] You can find easily Chamomille tea in all grocery stores. It has a pleasant and mild aroma and flavor. This is herbal tea which means that it does not have caffeine.
Peppermint tea
Peppermint tea has anti-inflammatory compounds and it is very soothing to the throat [2]. The mint can slightly numb your throat which will give you relief from the pain. You can easily find peppermint tea in markets. Also, you can make your own peppermint tea by steeping fresh peppermint leaves in boiling water for 3 – 5 minutes and then straining off the leaves. This natural cure is free of caffeine. It has a naturally sweet taste which often requires no additional sweetener.
Plenty of fluids
You should drink a lot of fluids when your throat hurts. It is very important to keep your throat’s mucous membranes hydrated so they can heal. Swallowing can be uncomfortable but when you drink plenty of water or other fluids, this will ultimately make your sore throat to feel better. You should drink water, herbal infusions, tea, or other beverages at whatever temperature feels most comfortable.
Cinnamon
This is a fragrant and delicious spice which is high in antioxidants and also it has antibacterial benefits. This is a traditional home remedy which is used for flu and cold in Chinese medicine to give you relief from the pain caused by sore throat [3]. You can find cinnamon tea in most grocery stores in both regular and herbal varieties. Also, you can add cinnamon to your black or herbal tea. Also, there is another delicious and healthy way to use the cinnamon and that is to make your own cinnamon almond milk which can be especially soothing for your throat.
You should put 1/8 teaspoon of baking soda and ½ teaspoon of ground cinnamon in a saucepan and you should mix them together.
You should add one cup of almond milk to it and then mix it again until it is well combined.
You should heat the mixture until it just begins to simmer and then remove it from the heat. You should stir it in one tablespoon of honey or sweetener of your choice.
Coconut oil
This is a versatile food which has many health benefits. There are some animal studies in which is said that coconut oil can help to relieve, pain, reduce inflammation and fight against infection. This natural cure oil has soothing properties.
This property of coconut oil lubricates the mucous membranes in the throat. You can add a spoonful to hot tea or hot cocoa. Also, you can add a spoonful of coconut oil to your soup. You can simply put a spoonful of coconut oil in your mouth and then allow it to melt down your throat. You should limit the coconut oil to two tablespoons (30 ml) per day because it can have a laxative effect if you consume it at higher dosages. If you have never used coconut oil, then you should start taking one teaspoon (5 ml) at a time to minimize the potential side effects.
Ginger root tea
This is a spice which has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties that can give you relief from a sore throat [4]. One study said that when the ginger extract is applied to throat swabs from people with bacterial respiratory tract infections, then it can kill some of the bacteria that are responsible for the illness. You can easily find the ginger root tea at markets.
Also, you can make your own tea from fresh ginger.
You should peel fresh ginger root and then grate it into a small bowl. You should boil it in one-liter water in a large saucepan and then remove it from the heat. You should place one tablespoon (15 ml) of the grated ginger into the saucepan and you should cover it with a lid. You should let it steep for ten minutes. You should squeeze a lemon juice. You should add sweetener and lemon juice and then stir it to combine. You can use it cold or you can reheat it if needed.
Propolis
There are some studies in which is said that propolis has many health benefits, especially for people who suffer from an upper respiratory infection [5]. Propolis is made of beeswax and bees’ saliva. This is very helpful against harmful organisms and even the flu. You should take the propolis by adding five drops of propolis to a teaspoon of water.
Lemon water
This is a refreshing beverage which can reduce the throat pain that is happening during a cold or flu. It has antioxidants and Vitamin C. This natural cure can increase the amount of saliva which you produce and this can keep your mucous membranes moist. You should combine lemon with warm water and add a bit of honey or saltwater because this can be the best way to maximize its benefits.
Licorice root
This plant is native to South Asia and Europe. It has been used in traditional medicine to treat many different disorders. This plant has properties that are similar to aspirin and they can help to reduce the pain caused by a sore throat. But there are no studies in which is said that the licorice root has the ability to relieve the illness-related sore throats. There are some studies on people who had just undergone major surgery and it was found that the licorice root can reduce the throat pain that is caused by breathing tube removal. One study said that gargling with licorice water prior to surgery can reduce the risk of getting a sore throat by 50% when it is compared to gargling with sugar water. You can easily find the licorice root tea. Also, you can make your own licorice root tea to drink it or gargle with it. You should combine ground licorice root with hot water and let it steep for 5 minutes and then strain it prior to drinking.
Honey
This is a delicious sweetener which is often used in a combination with other natural cures to soothe the sore throat. Honey will fight against infection and it will give you relief from the pain [6]. It can be very effective when it is combined with warm water and apple cider vinegar or other herbs. You should not give this natural cure to your children if he or she is under the age of one because their guts have not had a chance to acquire healthy bacteria which will fight off against other germs, such as botulism spores that are sometimes found in the honey. Also, people who follow a low–carb diet or who avoid sugar may want to choose another home remedy for sore throat because honey is a form of sugar and it has 17 grams of carbs per tablespoon.
Saltwater gargle
You should gargle with salt water because it can help you to get relief from a sore throat. The salt will help you to reduce the swelling by pulling water out of your throat tissue. Also, it will ease the throat discomfort. This can kill the unwanted microbes in your throat. You should combine one cup of warm water with one teaspoon of salt and stir it to dissolve. You should gargle with a mouthful of this natural cure for thirty seconds, once per hour.
References:
[1] Srivastava JK, Shankar E, Gupta S. Chamomile: A herbal medicine of the past with bright future. Molecular Medicine Reports. 2010;3(6):895-901.
[2] McKay DL, Blumberg JB. A review of the bioactivity and potential health benefits of peppermint tea (Mentha piperita L.). Phytotherapy Research. 2006;20(8):619-633.
[3] Hamidpour R, Hamidpour M, Hamidpour S, Shahlari M. Cinnamon from the selection of traditional applications to its novel effects on the inhibition of angiogenesis in cancer cells and prevention of Alzheimer’s disease, and a series of functions such as antioxidant, anticholesterol, antidiabetes, antibacterial, antifungal, nematicidal, acaracidal, and repellent activities. Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine. 2015;5(2):66-70.
[4] Bode AM, Dong Z. The amazing and mighty ginger. In: Benzie IFF, Wachtel-Galor S, editors. Herbal Medicine: Biomolecular and Clinical Aspects. 2nd edition. Boca Raton (FL): CRC Press/Taylor & Francis; 2011. Chapter 7.
[5] Pasupuleti VR, Sammugam L, Ramesh N, Gan SH. Honey, propolis, and royal jelly: A comprehensive review of their biological actions and health benefits. Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity. 2017;2017.
[6] Nanda MS, Mittal S, Gupta V. Role of honey as adjuvant therapy in patients with sore throat. National Journal of Physiology, Pharmacy and Pharmacology. 2017;7(1).
