Home Remedies for Sore Throat
Normally, a sore throat (pharyngitis) is a result of some viral infection, such as a cold or the flu that resolves on its own. But, there are certain rare types such as Strep throat (streptococcal infection) which are caused by bacteria and require medication with antibiotics to check on other complications.
Pain or a scratchy sensation in the throat, swollen glands in your neck or jaw, finding difficulty in swallowing or talking are some of the common signs of a sore throat.
Get immediate care if your child has any other signs such as Fever, Cough, Body aches, nausea or vomiting along with the common sore throat symptoms. One can also practice natural treatment or home remedies for a sore throat, to lessen the pain and recover quickly.
Home remedies are quite a relief for sore throat as running to a doctor is not always convenient. In many cases, doctors conduct a simple test to detect the type of infection and accordingly recommend medicines. Regardless of the cause of your sore throat, one can simply practice at-home remedies or naturopathic medicine to ease the pain and soreness. Some common home remedies for a sore throat are listed below.
It provides symptomatic relief. When gargling with warm salt water, a high salt barrier is created which helps pull out the fluids in the throat tissue thus washing out the viruses and reducing swelling. It soothes the scratchy throat & can be repeated several times a day.
Sucking on lozenges (also known as a cough drop) increases saliva production which reduces dryness & coats the throat easing cough reflex. It contains menthol which gently numbs the tissues in the throat providing relief from burning & pain sensation. Medicated lozenges have extra ingredients to relieve sore throat symptoms.
It helps fight infections & provides relief to throat pain, particularly when combined with apple cider vinegar or herbs in warm water. Honey is a natural sweetener & undeniably make remedies taste better but should not be given to children under 1 year of age or people who avoid sugar/follow a low carb diet.
In sore throat condition, when swallowing may be uncomfortable, drinking plenty of water or other fluids ultimately makes the throat feel better. Consuming enough fluid ensures a properly hydrated body, and allows the throat to remain moist & heal.
A warm cup of tea can work wonders when suffering from a bad sore throat day. Tea contains antioxidants that may boost your immune system and promote healing. There are many types of teas and herbal blends that provide anti-inflammatory effects to the body. Thus, reducing pain and swelling. Chamomile tea has a pleasant, mild aroma/flavor. Furthermore, it helps fight infection, alleviates pain & believed to promote restful sleep, which is most important for healing. Green tea is an antibacterial, pain reliever, and rich source of antioxidants and helps reduce inflammation & soothe your irritating throat. Peppermint tea contains anti-inflammatory compounds and helps reduce inflammation and throat discomfort. Ginger root tea may help fight infection, lessen inflammation and soothe sore throat pain as ginger is a spice with antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects.
They are very effective because of the warm water and their contents and consistency. Chicken or beef broth can also work well for your sore throat. The salt in the soup will help loosen the mucus and any fat in the soup will line the throat.
Lemons contain Vitamin C and antioxidants. Lemon water increases the amount of saliva produced & aids in keeping the mucous membranes moist. Thus, soothing the sore throat.
The mucilage (a gelatinous substance) in the Marshmallow root has been known to coat & soothe the sore throat since ancient times.
Licorice root tea or gargle may soothe a sore throat as the root has aspirin-like qualities that help reduce the pain.
Its vital ingredient, acetic acid, helps fight bacteria and may provide relief to the sore throat when taken in small amounts with warm water. Tooth decay & digestive problems are the possible risks of Apple cider vinegar.
Cinnamon is an antioxidant-rich spice that renders antibacterial benefits. To ease the sore throat discomfort, one can also add it to other warm beverages or can be prepared as a tea. Another delicious option is to prepare cinnamon almond milk.
Coconut oil has anti-inflammatory effects and may help the body fight infection when consumed with warm beverages. It is very soothing as it lubricates the mucous membranes in the throat.
Breathing in the moist air can help soothe swollen tissue in the nose and throat thus a humidifier can be used to increase the moisture in the room or boil water in a pot for about 30minutes to increase the humidity.
If a sore throat is accompanied by congestion, prop up an extra pillow under the head. This would ease breathing & prevent you from sleeping with an open mouth thus running out the chance of a dry throat followed by discomfort & pain.
Cayenne pepper is often recognized as a hot chili pepper that contains capsaicin. Cayenne pepper is often used as a pain reliever, works wonders when mixed with warm water and honey for sore throats. Burning sensation at the initial stage of consumption is common. Add a light sprinkle of cayenne with 1 cup of water and gargle. It will help reduce inflammation and clear the infection.
Irrespective of how healthy you are, you may probably get a sore throat occasionally. Luckily, you can opt from several home remedies to soothe a sore throat and encourage healing. Nevertheless, if your sore throat lasts more than a few days or is extremely painful make certain you see a doctor. Severe or persistent pain may indicate strep throat, tonsillitis or some other serious infection that demands medical treatment.
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