Sore throats are like an itch (literally) that you can’t scratch. Hey, it could be worse. You could have strep throat – so, there’s some consolation!
We’ve discovered a few homemade sore throat remedies. All of the elixirs presented here are simple to make, quick to use, and cheap!
Here are a few natural remedies for a sore throat:
1. Salt and Water
Doesn’t get much more basic, does it?
– Mix ¼ teaspoon of salt with 1 cup of warm water. (Use the hottest possible water temperature that you can comfortably tolerate.)
– Gargle for 60 seconds.
If you have it, add one tablespoon of Listerine. Listerine will moisturize your throat’s mucus membranes, eliminate acids, and relieve the burning sensation. In addition, the product will enhance the solution’s germ-killing properties.
Ensure to make a new mix for every ‘gargle session.’ Don’t store the solution as it can become contaminated. Also, cold-rinsing doesn’t work.
2. Water, ginger, honey, and lemon
You’ll need:
– ½ cup hot water
– Half a lemon
– 1 teaspoon of powdered sugar
– 1 teaspoon of honey
Squeeze the lemon and gather the juice.
Pour the water over the ginger. Add the honey and lemon juice to the solution. Gargle for 60 seconds.
Honey not only serves as an excellent natural sweetener; but also coats the throat and contains mild anti-bacterial properties.
3. Hot sauce and water
You’ll need:
– Five shakes of ground cayenne pepper or hot sauce (the former is a better option.)
– A cup of hot water
Hot pepper contains capsicum, a flowered plant that has both pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory properties.
Now, this remedy isn’t for the sensitive mouth or throat. It’ll burn for a bit, but it may just do the trick!
Gargle for 30 seconds every 15 minutes and see if you’re feeling better. If not, discontinue and try something else.
4. Sage and water
You’ll need:
– 1 teaspoon of sage
– ½ teaspoon of alum (crystallized potassium sulfate)
– ¼ of brown sugar
– ½ cup of vinegar
– 1/8 cup of water
Mix all of the ingredients and gargle for 60 seconds.
Sage contains properties that can ease a sore throat, and painful or swollen nasal passages.
5. Turmeric and water
You’ll need:
– ½ teaspoon of turmeric
– ½ teaspoon of salt
– 1 cup of hot water
Curcumin, an active ingredient in turmeric, is a potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory. (As a sidenote, curcumin is such a powerful ingredient that scientists are currently studying its effectiveness in eliminating brain tumors and certain cancers!)
6. Wheatgrass juice
Wheatgrass juice contains a high concentration of chlorophyll. According to Dr. Josh Axe, the benefits of chlorophyll include “(fighting) cancer, improving liver detoxification, speeding up wound healing, improving digestion and weight control, and protecting skin health.”
Chlorophyll is considered a superfood because of it’s active antioxidant and anticancer elements!
Wheatgrass may also carry the added benefits of strengthening gums and relieving toothaches.
Try holding a ¼ cup of wheatgrass juice in your mouth for about five minutes; then gargle for about 60 seconds.
7. Tomato juice
You’ll need:
-1/2 cup of tomato juice
-1/2 cup of hot water
– 10 drops of hot pepper sauce
Mix all of the ingredients and gargle for 60 seconds.
Tomatoes contain lycopene, a phytochemical and carotenoid pigment. Lycopene is an active antioxidant and can help with relieving your sore throat quicker.
(Lycopene also found in other red fruits & vegetables, including red carrots, watermelons, gac, and papayas)
8. Green tea
Aside from drinking the soothing beverage, consider using it as a gargle! While the liquid is still relatively hot (but tolerable), gargle with it for 60 seconds to kill throat bacteria.
Green tea is renowned for its myriad health benefits; including positive cognitive and brain effects, as an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory, and for weight loss!
9. Apple cider vinegar and salt
You’ll need:
– 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar
– 1 teaspoon of salt
– 1 glass of warm water
Mix all of the contents and use a few times throughout the day until your sore throat clears.
Apple cider vinegar neutralizes (kills) bacteria that line your throat.
You can also add equal parts apple cider vinegar and honey – each 1/4 cup. This is a bit more gentle on the mouth and stomach. Store and take a tablespoon ever four hours.
10. Licorice water
You’ll need:
– 1 teaspoon of licorice powder or syrup
– 8 ounces of water
Mix all of the ingredients and gargle for 60 seconds.
Licorice root provides two potential benefits for a sore throat. First, the root can lower inflammation and ease the pain. Second, licorice root can eliminate the phlegm that triggers coughing episodes.
In a study of patients recovering from surgery, those who gargled with a licorice solution were less prone to a sore throat. This finding is particularly noteworthy, as post-op patients must often contend with a weakened immune system.
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