A sore throat (also known as pharyngitis) is a symptom of a disease affecting the pharynx or the area around the tonsils. It can be the result of an infection caused by a virus or bacteria. It can also be caused by a cold, dry air, pollution, smoking, speaking for hours or it can be a side effect of strained vocal cords.
Here you have some home remedies to ease a sore throat:
Table of Contents
1. Steam inhalations
Ingredients
- 1 bowl hot water.
- 1 towel.
Instructions
- Place your face over a bowl of steaming hot water.
- Cover your head with a towel to keep the steam in.
- You can also add 1-2 drops of eucalyptus oil.
2. Saltwater gargle
Ingredients
- ½ teaspoon table salt.
- 1 cup warm water.
Instructions
- Dissolve half a teaspoon of salt in one cup of warm water (if the taste is too unpleasant, try adding some honey to the mixture).
- Gargle several times a day with warm salt water (note that you should spit the water out after gargling, rather than swallowing it).
3. Onion and lemon
Ingredients
- 1 small red onion.
- Juice of 1 lemon.
- Water.
Instructions
- Cut the onion into small pieces.
- Mix it with the juice of one lemon in a small bowl.
- Add water until covering the onion.
- Let it soak overnight.
- Filter it and pour it into a glass.
- Drink this juice very slowly with a drinking straw (introduce the drinking straw in your throat as much as you can).
4. Thyme, honey, and lemon tea
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon thyme.
- Juice of ½ lemon.
- 1 tablespoon rosemary honey.
- ½ glass water.
Instructions
- Scald the thyme in the water.
- Let it soak for 10 minutes.
- Add the lemon and the honey.
- Drink the tea slowly with a drinking straw.
5. Cider vinegar
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon honey.
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar.
- 8 ounces hot water.
Instructions
- Mix the honey, the cider vinegar, and the hot water.
- Sip slowly (don’t let it get cold).
- Use as often as desired.
You can also gargle with a similar mixture:
Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon table salt.
- ½ cup cider vinegar.
- 1 cup warm water.
Instructions
- Dissolve the salt in the vinegar, then mix in the water.
- Gargle every 15 minutes.
6. Horseradish
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon pure horseradish/horseradish root.
- 1 tablespoon honey.
- 1 tablespoon ground cloves.
- 1 glass warm water.
Instructions
- Mix the horseradish, the honey and the cloves in a glass of warm water.
- Drink the mixture slowly.
7. Citrus
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon honey.
- 1 tablespoon lemon/lime juice.
- 1 cup warm water.
Instructions
- Mix 1 tablespoon each of honey and another of lemon juice in 1 cup of warm water
- Sip it slowly.
You can also combine 1 tablespoon of lime juice with 1 tablespoon of honey and take the mixture as often as needed.
8. Garlic
Ingredients
- 1 garlic clove
Instructions
- Peel a fresh clove, slice it in half, and place 1 piece on each cheek.
- Suck on the garlic.
- Occasionally, crush your teeth against the garlic to release its allicin, a compound that can kill the bacteria that causes strep.
9. Marshmallows
There’s no hard evidence that this method works. However, sap from the marshmallow plant has been used for hundreds of years to treat coughs, colds, and sore throats, so modern-day marshmallows can help ease sore throat pain; if it really hurts to swallow anything, something slippery and sweet might provide some relief.
10. Fluids
And remember: when your throat is irritated, it is very important to get some rest and drink fluids to stay hydrated, as this keeps your mucous membranes moist and more capable of combating bacteria. You can drink water, something slightly sugary (like a watered-down fruit juice), something salty (like chicken broth) or a warm cup of tea, as it offers immediate, soothing relief for a sore throat (for better results, add a teaspoon of honey).
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