Sore throats are easily one of the most annoying things that can befall a human being. They don’t lay you out, but they make doing just about anything difficult.
Typically, a sore throat is an early indicator that a bacterium or virus is attacking your body. If you still have your tonsils, your sore throat may be caused by this part of your lymphatic system grabbing some of the pathogens and instigating a response from your immune system.
This action causes the tonsils to swell and give you a sore throat. There are many natural ways to help ease this symptom.
Gargle Common Household Items For Quick Relief
• Salt Water – Take a cup of warm water and stir in a teaspoon of sea salt. Once it has dissolved, gargle away. Spit it out and continue until the cup is empty. What salt has to offer is the ability to break down the mucus buildup that is happening in your throat.
This will offer immediate relief. The salt will also kill some of the bacteria that have started to accumulate. Helping to prevent the spread of the contagion might help you stave off a full-blown cold.
• Vodka – Gargling with straight vodka will kill some of the bacteria that have started growing in your throat. It will also dislodge some of the mucus that is forming. The key is to get as much coverage as possible.
This means gargling as deep as you can, for as long as you can, being careful not to inhale any of the liquid. When you finally spit it out, a lot of the contaminated, gross mucus will come with it.
• Turmeric – Gargling with turmeric is a great way to ease the harshness of a sore throat. It will relieve the burning and scratchy feeling. It will also work as an anti-inflammatory.
This root plant is packed with healthful components, including curcuminoids, which are powerful antioxidants. Simply add a teaspoon of turmeric powder to water and gargle. It also works well as a tea.
• Baking Soda – Add baking soda to warm water and a small touch of vinegar, then gargle for an effervescent, healing experience. Baking soda is used for many things, but when it comes to a sore throat, it has a unique way of clearing out the mucus that is building up.
It also works as an antibacterial, killing and clearing away irritants and blockages. Don’t worry if you swallow some; baking soda is good for eliminated excess gas in the digestive tract.
Related: These 14 Home Remedies Will Help Ease a Stuffy Nose
Soothing Teas to Ease Your Pains
• Sage – There have been scientific studies conducted to determine the effectiveness of sage on matters of a sore throat. There are several ways to administer the healing effects of this plant: your can steep it in tea, create a spray and you can gargle with a cup of warm water with powdered sage mixed in.
The antiseptic properties help to clean the area and kill bacteria before they have the chance to reproduce.
• Ginger – Ginger is a very pungent root with a strong taste. Its power triggers secretions in the throat that help clear away excess mucus buildup. It works as an antimicrobial, which stops the growth of the organisms making your throat hurt: bacteria, fungus and other microorganisms.
Ginger also works as an anti-inflammatory, which reduces swelling and eases the congestion in your throat.
• Honeysuckle – There are many recipes out there that use honeysuckle for medicinal purposes. From teas to syrups, honeysuckle is soothing, tastes lovely and has antibacterial properties due, in part to the chlorogenic acid found in the plant.
This acid boosts the immune system and helps the body destroy invading organisms. It will also help reduce the swelling in your throat and ease the pain of swallowing.
• Licorice Root – This root eases the inflamed mucus membranes in a sore throat. A licorice root tea has a thick feel to it that will soothe away the scratchiness. While it’s immediately making you feel better, its deeper medicinal properties kick in.
Its main, active ingredient, glycyrrhizic acid, acts as an antibacterial and an antiviral, helping to protect the upper respiratory system. As an expectorant, licorice root will help dislodge irritating mucus buildup. There are also licorice root lozenges for relief on the go.
Related: 10 Super Simple Remedies for Healing Canker Sores (Naturally)
One Shot Warriors
• Cayenne Pepper – Capsaicin is the active ingredient in cayenne pepper that is an effective anti-inflammatory and antibacterial. It will help reduce painful swelling while helping your body eliminate the infection.
Using it at the onset of throat discomfort will provide immediate relief, but don’t stop using it; the infection is still there even if the pain has subsided. Gargle with it, add it to tea, or do a shot of it with warm water. It will increase circulation and keep your immune system moving.
• Apple Cider Vinegar – The acid in apple cider vinegar cuts through mucus buildup, bringing needed relief to scratchy, congested throats. It also kills bacteria, helping the body fight infection.
This is not a pleasant tasting drink, so most people who use it regularly choose to drink a shot of it once or twice a day. You can also add it to a smoothie, or combine it with other healing ingredients depending on your preferences.
Apple Cider Vinegar is used for many ailments, so keeping some around the house will serve you in many ways.
• Horseradish – This plant is part of the same family as wasabi and is quite spicy. It is a powerful antibacterial and is full of nutrients. Scientific studies have shown that it improves blood flow, which kicks your bodies’ systems into gear.
Horseradish has been used for centuries as an antibiotic and for clearing sinuses. You can buy the root or you can buy it in various stages of maceration. Knock back a tablespoon of horseradish in paste form and you’ll feel your respiratory system open immediately. Irritants in your throat will be scared away.
• Raw Honey – It has been well established that raw honey is a great aid in healing wounds. Honey fights infection, kills bacteria, and helps reduce inflammation.
When buying honey, be sure to purchase ‘raw’ honey. Processed honey has been filtered, which removes some of the enzymes and natural healing properties.
You can add honey to warm water or tea, or you can take a spoonful and let it coat your sad throat. You can also mix honey with other natural remedies to create healing infusions and syrups.
Time To Tuck In and Do Battle
• Garlic – Peel a clove of fresh garlic and suck on it as if it were a cough drop. Crush the clove against the back of your teeth or lacerate it with your molars periodically.
This will release a component called allicin, which kills bacteria and soothes the pain and irritation of swollen membranes in the throat. Allicin is a strong antimicrobial and even has antiviral properties.
• Chew on Cloves – Cloves contain a substance called eugenol, which is a natural pain killer. Chewing on cloves just like you would a piece of gum, releases the eugenol at a controlled, steady rate, easing the discomfort in your throat.
Cloves also have antibacterial properties, which will help fight the infection. They are fine to swallow once they are spent.
• Take a Steam Bath – Sometimes there’s no reason to overthink a situation. When you feel sick, hopping into a nice hot shower is sometimes the best medicine. The hot steam will sooth your respiratory system and help relax you to a place where your immune system can work in peace.
If you don’t want to get in the shower, you can use facial steamers, or even just put your face over a steaming pot of water. Adding lemon slices to the water, or essential oils like rosemary or camphor will help clear out your throat.
• Homemade Mucus Buster – If you have more energy and time to invest, you can combine ingredients to create a powerful, natural drink that will knock the sore right out of your throat.
This quick instructional video will take you to step by step through a recipe that includes lemon, cayenne pepper, fresh ginger, and agave syrup. Each ingredient brings a different benefit to the table.
Combined, they’ll have you swallowing pain-free in no time. The recipe is spicy, so be mindful of your own tolerance before adding the pepper.
Ease Your Sore Throat Pain Today
Sometimes a sore throat sneaks up on you. When that happens, there are plenty of items you might have around the house that can help ease that irritating pain. Some are a bit more time-consuming, but some can be knocked back quickly, so you can get on with your day.
It’s important to remember, however, that when you get a sore throat, you should pay attention to your body. If you catch it fast enough, you can help your body stop a cold or the flu in its tracks.
So, the second you feel that scratch at the back of your throat, try one of these quick and natural home remedies.