Get Rid of a Sore Throat Fast with Home Remedies
So, how to soothe a sore throat? By such simple home remedies as gargling, warm drinks and increasing intake of liquids. Here is what to do precisely to stop a sore throat.
Salt Water Gargle for Sore Throat
Sal water gargle is perhaps one of the best things for a sore throat! Whatever be the cause of sore throat, it involves swollen up cells in the mucous membranes. When you gargle with salt water, you take the first and the most effective step towards reducing this inflammation. Salt draws out water, thus reducing inflammation in the cells. Warm water also soothes your pain in the throat. It also helps thin the mucus so that it drains out easily to relieve you of stuffy nose if that happens to be one of the symptoms.
Get this:
- Warm water- 1 cup or a 1 glass
- Salt- ½ to 1 tsp
Do this:
- Add the salt to the tolerably warm water.
- Mix it well.
- Now gargle with this water.
- Repeat as many times a day as you feel like but not less than thrice a day.
Apple Cider Vinegar to Get Rid of Sore Throat
When it comes to home remedies, apple cider vinegar (ACV) is no less than a magic potion! For sore throat too, ACV works wonders! Its acidity which balances the pH levels of your throat environment making it hostile for microbes to survive. Apple cider vinegar is also a good natural expectorant that helps loosen phlegm to relieve sore throat. Not only this, ACV is also a natural immune boosting agent that helps prevent sore throat along with many other viral and bacterial infections. So, how to use apple cider vinegar for sore throat cure? Here are some ways to do so.
Apple Cider Vinegar-Honey Solution to Get Rid of Sore Throat
Get this:
- Apple cider vinegar- 1 tbsp
- Honey- 1tbsp
- Warm water- 1 cup
Do this:
- Add ACV and honey to the cup of warm water.
- Mix well and have it.
- Have this 2-3 times a day.
- Add 1-2 tsp of apple cider vinegar to a glass of warm water and gargle with this 3-4 times a day.
- You can also add 1 tsp of ACV to the salt water you use to gargle (as described in the previous remedy)
- Add 1-2 tbsp of apple cider vinegar to a glass of water and have it twice a day.
Other Ways to Use Apple Cider Vinegar for Sore Throat
Increase Fluid Intake to Get Rid of Sore Throat Fast
When you keep yourself hydrated, you can get rid of a sore throat faster. When your body doesn’t is deficient in water, it is not able to make enough saliva as well as mucus. Both these are essential to keep the throat lubricated. In lack of proper lubrication, inflammation of the tissues only get worsened. Enough fluid in your body also mean you lesser pain. While water is the best thing to have, you can even substitute it with other fluids like teas and soups. So, what to drink when you have a sore throat? Let’s explore.
What to Drink When you have a Sore Throat?
- Herbal teas- Soothe a sore throat by having a variety of herbal teas. You can chose from various herbs such as licorice root, sage, eucalyptus, slippery elm, peppermint, marshmallow root etc. They all are good for relieving a sore throat.
- Spiced teas- Spices such as cinnamon, ginger, cloves and garlic etc. have antibacterial, antifungal and expectorant properties that help you fight off microbes as well as loosen your phlegm to provide you relief from pain and congestion.
- Lemon juice- a warm lemon juice, to be precise. Along with its acidic nature that makes your throat hostile for growth of bacteria, lemon also cuts mucus to soothe a sore throat. So, take a glass of warm water and add ½ – 1 tsp of freshly squeezed lemon juice. Drink this 2-3 times a day to relieve a sore throat.
- Warm soups- The warm watery soups are good not only to provide you with enough hydration but also to relieve pain, decongest your throat, and lubricate your vocal cords. Chicken soup is an all-time favourite to soothe a sore throat but you can depend equally on a vegetable soup too. Do not forget to add some spices like ginger, garlic, cinnamon or cloves to these soups for added benefits to relieve a sore throat.
Honey to Get Rid of Sore Throat
Honey is naturally antibacterial! It also leads to a hypertonic osmotic process. It simply means that honey draws out water from the swollen tissue of your throat. Not only this, honey also cures cough as shown by many studies. So, if your sore throat is accompanied by cough, you should definitely try honey to soothe it.
Ways to Use Honey for Sore Throat
- Add 1-2 tsp of honey to your herbal tea.
- Add 2 tsp of honey and juice from half of a freshly squeezed lemon to a cup of warm water. Mix well and have it.
- Take 1 tsp of honey and add a pinch of cinnamon powder to this. Have this feeling the honey going down your throat while soothing it immensely.
Marshmallow to Get Rid of Sore Throat
Marshmallow root contains mucilage that effectively coats the mucus membranes in your throat. This soothes a sore throat beyond imagination. You don’t even need to do much. Just eat 3-4 marshmallows and see how you feel relieved. You may even make marshmallow tea if you are craving for something hot to pour down your aching throat.
Get this:
- Dried marshmallow root- 1 tbsp
- Hot water- 1 cup
Do this:
- Place the marshmallow root in a cup.
- Pour boiling hot water over it.
- Cover it and let it steep for a good 20-30 minutes.
- Now strain it and drink it.
Precaution: If you are a diabetic, consult your doctor before taking marshmallow as it can considerably lower your blood sugar levels.
Steam to Relieve a Sore Throat
Steam provides you with moist hot air that reduces inflammation in the tissue of your throat as well as nose. This remedy is especially beneficial if you have dryness along with the irritation in your throat. You can either take steam using the traditional hot water bowl or may have a steam shower. Both will help soothe a sore throat.
Get this:
- Hot water- 1 bowl
- Towel
- Eucalyptus or Sage oil (optional)- 1-2 drops
Do this:
- Take the bowl and fill it with hot water.
- Place it on an even surface.
- If using some oil, add it to the water.
- Lean over the bowl so that you face is at such an angle where your throat and nose gets steam coming out of the hot water. Do not take your face too close to the bowl otherwise you’ll burn your face.
- Now take the towel and cover your head in such a way that steam can’t escape.
- Remain in this position for a couple of minutes and then remove the towel. Repeat once again after taking a break for few seconds.
- Do this for about 5-10 minutes.
- Repeat 3-4 times a day.
Honeysuckle to Get Rid of Sore Throat
This is one of the best remedies for sore throat that originates from Traditional Chinese Medicine. Honeysuckle flowers and leaves effectively cure coughs, sore throats, and other flu signs and symptoms. This is all due to the natural anti-bacterial properties of the herb. It also has anti-inflammatory properties that reduce the inflammation of tissue in the throat. Make honeysuckle tea to get rid of sore throat fast.
Get this:
- Fresh honeysuckle herb (flowers, leaves)- 2 cups OR Dried honeysuckle- 1 tbsp
- Water- 4-5 cups (1 cup if using dried herb)
- Honey (optional)- 1-2 tsp
- Lemon juice (optional)- 1 tsp
Do this:
- If using fresh honeysuckle, simmer the herb in water for about 10-15 minutes.
- If using dried herb, place it in a cup and pour hot water over it and steep for about 10 minutes.
- Strain and add honey lemon if using.
- Drink this tea to soothe your sore throat.
Ginger to Get Rid of Sore Throat
Ginger has many properties. It is a natural analgesic agent, the one that relieves. The antibacterial and antifungal properties of ginger are well known and these qualities not only cure but also prevent infection that might be behind your sore throat. It is also an expectorant that makes it loosen the mucus and phlegm. The anti-inflammatory properties of ginger reduces swelling of the throat tissue.
Get this:
- Ginger- 1-2 inch piece
- Water- 2 cups
- Honey- 1-2 tsp
Do this:
- Take the water in a pan and bring it to a boil.
- Now add ginger to it and simmer this for about 10-15 minutes.
- Strain and add honey.
- Mix well and drink this ginger tea.
Sage to Get Rid of Sore Throat
Sage herb too has many properties. It has astringent, antiseptic, and antibacterial properties. It is one of the best remedies for sore throat. Its astringent quality allows the tissues to contract and thus reduces inflammation. Its anti-bacterial and anti-septic properties are due to the presence of phenolic acids. Make some sage tea and either drink it or gargle with it to soothe a sore throat.
Get this:
- Fresh sage leaves– 2 tbsp Or dried sage leaves- 1 tbsp
- Boiling water- 1 cup
- Honey- 1-2 tsp
- Lemon juice- 1 tsp
Do this:
- Place the herb in a cup
- Pour the boiling water.
- Steep for 10-15 minutes.
- Strain the tea and add honey-lemon.
- Mix well and have this tea.
You may also gargle using sage tea. If doing so, do not add honey and lemon and wait till the temperature is tolerable.
Pomegranate for Sore Throat
Pomegranates, the delicious red fruit, is a rich source of punicalagins, an anti-oxidant which makes this fruit a superb health treasure! It also has excellent astringent properties that makes the tissue contract and thus helps reduce swelling. Not only this, the anti-inflammatory properties of this help reduce soreness and redness in your throat giving you the much needed relief! You can simply have 2-3 glasses of pomegranate juice during a day. Gargling with this juice also helps soothe a sore throat. And if you are ready to put some more effort, make pomegranate tea.
Get this:
- Pomegranate- 1
- Water- about 4 cups
Do this:
- Take the rinds after peeling the pomegranate.
- Take the water in a pan and bring this to a boil.
- Add the pomegranate rinds to the boiling water and keep on boiling it for a couple of minutes.
- Now simmer it for about 10-15 minutes.
- Strain and drink this tea or use it for gargling.
These were some of the remedies to get rid of sore throat fast. However, if you suffer from sore throat frequently, you also need to know some tips about how to prevent a sore throat!
All these measures can actually help you prevent sore throat. However, if anyhow, you get a sore throat, you can always use home remedies to get rid of it. If your sore throat doesn’t go away in 5-7 days in spite of using remedies, see your doctor to diagnose and treat the underlying cause of your sore throat!
source: rapidhomeremedies.com
