4 Of My Best Home Remedies For Sore Throat
It’s no secret that people have been using home remedies for ages and that’s because they work! If you’ve been trying to find effective home remedies for sore throat, look no further because I actually use these remedies and they are awesome.
Now just to be clear, if your sore throat is caused by the common flu or viruses and not bacteria, these remedies are awesome. That said, always make sure you seek medical help before trying to self-treat at home.
Common Causes Of Sore Throat
Sore throat is very common and happens to everyone even babies. It’s more common during the colder months of the year and can be caused by various factors. Here are some of the common causes of sore throat.
Colds and Flu: When you catch a cold or the flu, viruses irritate your throat lining, causing it to feel sore and itchy.
Strep Throat: This is a bacterial infection that can make your throat really sore. It’s contagious, so be careful around someone who has it! According to CDC, symptoms associated with strep throat include fever, pain when swallowing, red sore throat that started suddenly and swollen lymph nodes in the front of your neck.
Allergies: Sometimes, your throat reacts to things like pollen, pet dander, or mold. This irritation can lead to a sore throat, especially during allergy season. If your sore throat is caused by an allergy, your symptoms may include, dry itchy throat and swallow more often to alleviate symptoms.
Dry Air: If the air around you is too dry, like in winter when we use heaters, your throat can get dry and itchy.
Acid Reflux: When stomach acid backs up into your throat, it can irritate the sensitive tissues and make your throat sore.
Talking or Yelling: Believe it or not, straining your voice by talking loudly or shouting can lead to a sore throat. Your vocal cords need a break too!
Irritants: Strong smells, smoke, or chemicals in the air can also cause irritation, making your throat feel sore.
4 Of My Best Home Remedies For Sore Throat
There are many home remedies for sore throat such as cinnamon, licorice root, ginger root, sage, and echinacea but for this post, we will stick to 3 simple remedies that I use often.
1. ACV Sore Throat Gargle
Raw and unfiltered apple cider vinegar has some amazing immune-boosting and probiotic properties. If you didn’t already know, probiotic-rich foods help reduce bad bacteria that may be present with a sore throat, like strep, for example.
It also has antimicrobial, anti-bacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties, making it great for treating sore throat. viruses. This sore throat remedy also contains cayenne pepper which is anti-inflammatory, improves circulation, and reduces pain.
Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon of organic raw honey
- 1 tablespoon of warm water
- 2/3 cup of organic apple cider vinegar
- 1/4 teaspoon of cayenne pepper
Preparation & Usage:
Dissolve the honey in the warm water and add in the cayenne pepper. stir well until both ingredients are well combined and mix in the apple cider vinegar. Gargle with this mixture 2 to 3 times per day to reduce sore throat. Make sure not to swallow it and rinse your mouth so that the ACV does not affect your teeth.
2. Honey & Corn Syrup For Sore Throat
This sore throat remedy is also great for coughs as well so definitely try it. Just make sure not to give it to your kids if they are under 2 years old. Honey is a natural anti-viral, anti-microbial, and anti-inflammatory plus, it has soothing properties as well.
Mixing it with some lemon juice gives you a dose of natural vitamin C and corn syrup provides an extra soothing effect. If you do not have corn syrup, just use honey and lemon, they work well too.
Ingredients:
- 1 teaspoon of corn syrup
- 1 teaspoon of honey
- 1 teaspoon of lemon juice
Preparation & Usage:
Mix all of the ingredients above until you have an even consistency. Eat it right away to soothe your sore throat. You can also add these ingredients to a hot cup of tea if you like for extra benefits.
3. Coconut Oil For Sore Throat
This is the easiest remedy on the list and I’m sure you already have some on hand. Organic virgin coconut oil has anti-inflammatory and soothing properties.
Adding a spoonful to your soups, or tea, or just letting it melt in your mouth helps lubricate your throat lining and reduce soreness.
4. Cinnamon Tea Or Milk
Another great remedy for sore throat is cinnamon due to its antibacterial and antioxidant properties. This aromatic spice has been used for ages in Chinese medicine to treat colds, coughs, and sore throats.
Simply add half a teaspoon of ground cinnamon to any herbal tea of your choice and drink it 2 times per day to help relieve your sore throat. If you don’t like tea though, you can try this cinnamon milk recipe.
Ingredients:
- 1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon of organic raw honey
- 1 cup of almond milk
- 1/8 teaspoon of baking soda
Preparation:
Mix the cinnamon and baking soda into the milk and set it on low heat until it starts to simmer. Cut off the heat and stir in the honey. Let it cool and drink it to reduce your symptoms.
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5. Marshmallow Root
Marshmallow has a long history of use for treating sore throats. Its root contains a gelatinous substance called mucilage, which coats and soothes the throat. Make sure to choose high quality marsh mellow root for the best benefit. Here’s the recipe:
Ingredients:
- one liter (l) of cold water
- one ounce, or 28 grams (g), of dried marshmallow root
Directions:
Fill a jar with the cold water. Place the marshmallow root in cheesecloth and tie it up in a bundle. Lower the bundle into the water until it is completely submerged. Place the tied end of the bundle over the lip of the jar, place the lid on the jar, and screw it on.
Infuse overnight or for at least 8 hours, then remove the bundle. Pour the desired amount into a glass. Add an optional sweetener of choice. When it is ready, take sips throughout the day to help reduce symptoms.
6. Sage & Echinacea
Sage is a popular herb in cooking, but it also has several medicinal uses. This amazing herb helps with many inflammatory conditions including sore throat. Similar to sage, echinacea reduces bacteria infections in the throat along with inflammation. Try this sage and echinacea throat spray recipe:
Ingredients:
- one teaspoon of ground sage
- one tsp of ground echinacea
- 1/2 cup of water
Directions:
Boil the water, and place the sage and echinacea in a small jar, then fill it with boiling water. Let it steep for 30 minutes and pour the mixture through a strainer. Add 1/2 cup of hard liquor if desired. Transfer the mixture in a small spray bottle and spray into the throat every 2 hours or as needed.
7. Licorice Root
Licorice root has many medicinal benefits and it acts similar to aspirin when it comes to reducing pain in your throat. It is also known for it’s antiviral, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory effects.
To make licorice tea, combine 1 teaspoon of ground licorice root with hot water, let it steep for 5 minutes, then strain it before drinking. Make sure you’re not allergic to licorice.
8. Peppermint Tea
Peppermint tea contains anti-inflammatory properties that help reduce inflammation in the throat lining. Simply make a hot cup of peppermint tea and drink it twice a day to reduce your symptoms. You can get al-natural peppermint tea from your local grocery store.
Conclusion
I hope you try some of these remedies and find relief. If you liked this post, don’t forget to share it and let me know your sore throat remedy in the comments below and I’ll add it here. Until next time, stay awesome.