22 Natural Sore Throat Remedies To Say Goodbye To Pain.
A sore throat can quickly ruin your days and nights because it hurts so much.
Yes, we do not realize the number of times we swallow during the day.
It's only when you have a sore throat that you become aware of it.
No need to run to the pharmacy to buy medicine! Especially since they are ineffective and dangerous.
Fortunately, there are natural remedies to soothe your throat and prevent pain for nothing.
I'm sure you'll be amazed at how effective these easy-to-do treatments are.
Here are 22 simple and effective do-it-yourself sore throat remedies. They will help you ease the pain naturally.
1. Gargle with hot salt water
When your grandma told you to gargle with salt water, she knew what she was talking about!
It is a very well known old remedy. And it is also one of the simplest and most economical.
A sore throat is caused by inflammation of the cells in the mucous membranes.
By gargling with salt water, you reduce inflammation, as the salt that absorbs the water in turn reduces infected cells.
It also removes excess mucus and allows your nose, if it is blocked, to empty properly.
Ingredients
- 250 ml of lukewarm water
- ½ teaspoon of table salt
How to do
Heat the water until it is lukewarm, but not hot. Add the salt and mix well. Gargle with the mixture. Repeat 3 times throughout the day if needed. No more, as you risk drying out healthy tissue and making matters worse. Find out the remedy here.
2. Honey and lemon grog
This grog relieves a sore throat, especially if a cold is the cause. Honey and lemon soothe the throat, while alcohol helps sleep.
Personally, I don't drink alcohol, like my mother did to me when I was little.
Whether you put it on or not is up to you, but remember that drinking alcohol with a fever is not necessarily recommended.
Ingredients
- 30 ml of bourbon or whiskey (optional)
- 1 tablespoon of honey
- 120 ml of hot water
- 1 teaspoon of lemon juice
- 1 slice of fresh lemon (optional)
How to do
If desired, pour the whiskey into a large mug. Add the honey and leave the spoon in the cup. Pour the hot water into the cup, making sure to melt the honey. Add the lemon juice and mix. Heat everything but without boiling it. Add the lemon slice, and drink. Find out the remedy here.
3. Apple cider vinegar remedy
Apple cider vinegar is probably one of the best remedies.
Unfortunately, the taste is not great (this is often the case with what heals us).
The high level of acidity kills bacteria quite effectively, and when mixed with honey, it also soothes sore throat.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon of cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon of honey
- 1 cup of very hot water
How to do
Mix apple cider vinegar with honey in very hot water. Drink it quickly while it's still hot!
Or, if you don't want to swallow it, put in 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar and add 1/2 cup of hot water. Gargle with it once a day. Discover the benefits of apple cider vinegar here.
4. Suck on a garlic clove
Yes it may seem a little disgusting at first ...
... but know that garlic is a super effective natural remedy that eliminates the sore throat by making it deflate.
Allicin is a component in garlic that can kill angina bacteria and fight germs causing pain and irritation.
Ingredients
- 1 fresh garlic clove, cut in half
How to do
Place 1 piece of garlic in each cheek, and suck it like a cough lozenge. Occasionally, crush them with your teeth to release the allicin. Repeat the operation once a day until the symptoms disappear for it to be effective. Discover the benefits of garlic here.
5. Eat marshmallow
Don't get carried away too fast, I'm talking about the herb called marshmallow, or rather marshmallow root.
It was regularly used in previous centuries in Europe and North America. It contains mucilage which coats and soothes the mucous membranes in the throat.
Note that if you have diabetes, consult your doctor before using marshmallow root, as it may lower your blood sugar.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon of dried marshmallow root
- 1 cup of boiling water
How to do
Put a tablespoon of dried root in a cup and pour boiling water over it. Cover and steep for 30 to 60 minutes before straining and drinking.
6. Use fumigation
Steam can relieve a sore throat, especially one caused by dryness that prevents breathing.
No need to go to the sauna or hammam for this treatment.
You can use steam as a remedy without leaving the comfort of your home.
Ingredients
- 1 medium or large bowl
- enough hot water to half fill your bowl
- 1 bath towel
- eucalyptus essential oil (optional)
How to do
Boil some water and pour it into your bowl. Lean over the bowl so you can fully breathe in the steam (don't stick your face on it). Put a towel over your head to create a sort of tent to keep the steam in. Add a few drops of eucalyptus oil if you want to soothe the throat and unclog the nose. You can also take a very hot shower (or bath) and enjoy the steam in the room.
7. Cayenne pepper remedy
Drinking hot water with cayenne pepper can provide you with quick relief from a sore throat.
This is another one of those very old and super effective home remedies. It may seem strange or even counterproductive to spice up a painful area ... and yet.
Cayenne pepper (and other hot peppers) have a chemical called capsaicin that temporarily numbs pain, just like ibuprofen or aspirin.
This compound prevents the famous substance P from transmitting pain signals to your brain. Thus, the discomfort of your sore throat decreases on contact with the pepper.
Ingredients
- 1/2 teaspoon of cayenne pepper
- 1 cup of boiling water
- 1 teaspoon of honey
How to do
Put 1/2 teaspoon of cayenne pepper in a cup of boiling water. Stir in the honey and wait for the mixture to cool a bit before drinking. Drink it throughout the day as needed. Stir frequently, as the chili tends to stay compact. If you are sensitive to spices, reduce the dose to 1/8 teaspoon.
8. Licorice root tea
Licorice root tea naturally relieves sore throat.
Its antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties reduce swelling and irritation in the throat.
They also soothe the mucous membranes. You can buy herbal tea with licorice or make your own.
The recipe below contains a few more ingredients to make it taste more pleasant and soothing.
Ingredients
- 1 cup of chopped dry licorice root
- about 40 g of cinnamon peel
- 2 tablespoons of cloves
- a handful of chamomile flowers
How to do
Combine all the ingredients in a bowl. The mixture can be stored in an airtight glass jar, protected from light and heat. To prepare the herbal tea, combine 3 tablespoons of the mixture and 650 ml of cold water in a saucepan. Bring to a boil then reduce over low heat, simmering for 10 minutes. Pour into a large mug through a colander, sip and enjoy.
9. Rest and plenty of water
It is obvious, but it should not be neglected.
When taking any of Grandma's remedies, also remember to rest to increase the effectiveness.
Remember to drink water regularly and as much as possible.
What you need
- a comfortable place to snuggle up
- water, orange juice, herbal tea or whatever you like except alcohol and caffeine
How to do
Pick up a good book or watch a good movie. The goal: to feel good, rest and drink, drink, drink!
10. Baking soda
Baking soda is renowned as one of the simplest home remedies for sore throats.
Why ? Because baking soda has antibacterial properties that kill germs. It also has a slightly alkaline pH which soothes irritation and works on swollen tissue in the throat.
Also mix it with a little salt (see remedy # 1 for more details on salt) for greater effectiveness.
Ingredients
- 1 cup of very hot water
- 1/2 teaspoon of salt
- 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda
How to do
Heat the water until it is hot. Add ½ teaspoon of salt and ½ teaspoon or a little less of baking soda and mix. Test the temperature. Pour some liquid down your throat, let it sit for a while, then gargle. Do it 2 times in a row, 3 times a day.
11. Honeysuckle tea
Herbs used in traditional Chinese medicine are also super effective.
One of these plants is honeysuckle. It is extremely effective in relieving coughs, sore throats, and flu symptoms.
Thanks to its antibacterial properties, it fights the germs in your immune system and prevents them from coming back.
In addition, it flushes toxins from the blood and acts as an anti-inflammatory to reduce the swelling of the mucous membranes in the throat. To enjoy its benefits, just drink it as an herbal tea.
Ingredients
- 2 cups of flowers and honeysuckle leaves (preferably fresh)
- 1 liter of water
- kettle
How to do
If you are lucky enough to have a honeysuckle in your garden, collect a cup of flowers and a cup of leaves. Otherwise, turn to an herbalist, a Chinese medicine specialist or the Internet. Once you have your leaves and flowers, simmer them in a quart of boiling water for 10 minutes. Filter and add honey and / or lemon if desired.
12. Suck on a clove
Cloves have always been used especially in traditional Chinese medicine.
However, today, they are not used much except in cases of toothache.
At one time, dentists even often used it as an anesthetic, and some still do today.
They contain eugenol which fights bacteria. Eugenol is a natural pain reliever and can also act as an antibacterial.
Chewing whole cloves slowly releases eugenol and calms the pain in the throat.
Ingredients
- several whole cloves
- a glass of water (optional, but you must drink liquid anyway)
How to do
Put a clove or two in your mouth and suck on them until they become soft. Then, chew as if it were chewing gum. You can then swallow them. You can do this as many times as you want or can. On the other hand, do not replace cloves with clove oil as it could cause an upset stomach. Discover the benefits of cloves here.
13. Gargle with hydrogen peroxide
Maybe your parents used it to disinfect your little children's ailments.
I don't know about you, but I hated hydrogen peroxide because it stung.
And yet my mom was right because it kills bacteria and cleans cuts to prevent infection.
It is therefore totally recommended as a gargle to disinfect the throat in case of pain.
Ingredients
- hydrogen peroxide 10 volumes
- some water
- a cup
How to do
Pour a capful of hydrogen peroxide into your cup. Heat the water a little and dilute with a capful of this hot water. Gargle with it before you spit out the liquid. If you can't stand the taste, add a little honey.
14. Avoid pollution
We're all the same. Despite a bad cold, we try to have the same life as when we are in great shape.
We go to work, to school, to sport, when we should be quiet.
If you really must go out, try to avoid fumes, exhaust fumes, pollution, even more than usual.
Why ? Because breathing these substances irritates the throat tissues which already have enough to do to defend themselves from the bacteria that attack them.
The lozenges help stimulate saliva, but avoid those that are high in sugar.
Also avoid caffeine and alcohol which can prevent our body from fighting infection and even prolong the pain.
Do your best to rest, and remember to take care of yourself (or have someone else do it).
What you need
- 1 bell
- a good friend to take care of you
How to do
Ring the bell and get served! :-)
15. Pomegranate tea
Pomegranate has many health benefits. It is a real magic fruit.
It can help in many areas and in particular to fight an infection thanks to the antioxidants and astringents it contains.
It is a substance that causes tissue to contract, so it helps reduce swelling in the throat and lessens pain.
You can use its properties in different ways, either by making herbal tea and gargling or drinking it, or by drinking the juice.
The herbal tea takes a bit longer to make, so I suggest preparing the ingredients ahead of time so you don't have to do much on a sick day.
Ingredients
- 1 pomegranate
- 1 liter of water
- Or a bottle of pomegranate juice (organic if possible) without sugar
How to do
To make the herbal tea, peel the pomegranate and collect its peel. Boil them for 15 minutes in about 1 liter of water. Drink it, or gargle for at least 30 seconds with it. You can keep the bark and then dry it in an airtight jar away from light. That way you have it on hand the day you get sick. If you don't want to make this herbal tea, drink pomegranate juice at least 3 times a day and / or gargle with it.
16. Chamomile tea
Chamomile is a natural remedy that has been proven for decades for sore throats.
Its components kill bacteria and act as a natural pain reliever.
It also has anti-spasmodic properties (meaning it helps muscles relax) which can help you rest.
You will understand, it is a miracle herb that will soothe the pain in no time.
Ingredients
- 1 bag of chamomile tea
- 1 cup of boiling water
How to do
When the water boils, pour it into your cup and add the tea bag. Cover and let infuse 10 min. Add a little honey and lemon if you like. Drink as much as you want during the day.
17. Ginger tea
Ginger has a fairly intense, even spicy flavor.
Ginger has always been known to relieve pain.
It is very effective as a remedy for colds, flu and sore throats.
It's also an expectorant, which means it helps loosen and expel mucus from your respiratory system, including the mucus in your throat.
It also stimulates circulation, by increasing oxygen in cells, eliminates toxins and speeds up the healing process.
To top it off, it acts as an anti-inflammatory and also fights bacteria.
To reap the full benefits of ginger, drink it as a warm, soothing herbal tea. You can even grow it at home so you always have it on hand.
Ingredients
- 1 fresh ginger root, about 5 cm long
- a sharp knife or peeler
- a cutting board
- 500 to 750 ml of water
- baking paper
How to do
Wash the ginger root thoroughly, then peel it. Slice it into small pieces, then place them on the cutting board, covering them with baking paper. Crush them using the flat side of the knife. To go faster, you can also cut them into very small pieces after peeling the root. Boil the water over medium heat, then add the ginger. Simmer for 3 to 5 minutes, then put in a cup to enjoy while it's hot. Add a little honey or other flavorings if you wish. Drink while it's cold and piping hot!
18. Sage gargle
Sage has long been used medicinally before being used in cooking.
They say it can cure pretty much anything but let's just focus on the sore throat.
Sage is astringent, which means that the swollen tissue in your throat will deflate with its action.
The phenolic acids in sage are also known to fight and kill the bacteria that cause symptoms.
The best way to treat a sore throat is to use it as a gargle.
Ingredients
- 1 cup of boiling water
- 2 teaspoons of sage leaves (dried or fresh)
- 1 good pinch of salt
How to do
Boil the water, then pour it over the sage in a mug. Cover and let infuse for 20 min. Filter, add salt and gargle as much as needed throughout the day.
19. Avoid drinking milk
Hot milk seems to be the perfect remedy for relieving your throat. It's soothing, non-irritating and relaxing, plus it fluidizes in your body.
However, depending on the type of illness, your throat may or may not be swollen. If so, avoid milk.
Why ? Because milk deposits a kind of fatty film in the throat which already contains excess mucus.
He may even increase production, which would be the worst thing to do.
On the other hand, if your throat is very dry or itchy, milk and honey are the best remedies to soothe it.
20. Eat and drink at room temperature
A large glass of ice water seems to be a good idea to relieve a sore throat.
But in reality, this temperature can sometimes do more harm than good.
The same goes for herbal teas and soups, which should not be too hot.
Too hot liquid will cause even more pain.
So remember to eat and drink at room temperature or just cool or just hot, this will avoid aggravating the pain.
Obviously, ice creams and eskimos should be avoided during this period.
21. Avoid overly spicy dishes
Truly spicy foods should be avoided when your throat hurts.
But cinnamon is one of the pain relieving spices that are easy to use at home.
It is extremely rich in antioxidants, and its aroma helps open the sinuses, which reduces mucus production and helps you breathe more easily.
There are different remedies with cinnamon, including those that involve mixing cinnamon powder directly into water.
To get the most out of the taste and health benefits, using "cinnamon water" is a great way to get a delicious drink that will also help you feel your best.
Ingredients
- 1 to 2 cinnamon sticks
- about 250 ml of boiling water (or more)
- the tea of your choice (green tea or herbal tea)
How to do
Bring the water to a boil and add the cinnamon. Simmer for about 2 to 3 minutes, then remove the cinnamon. Brew the herbal tea or green tea you have chosen in the cinnamon water. Drink and let it act.
Chamomile tea mixed with cinnamon water with honey is also a perfect blend for relieving and curing colds.
22. Combine several remedies
Depending on the type of sore throat, you can try different combinations to see what works best for you.
Unlike chemical drugs, there is no problem in combining one or more of the above remedies.
Here are the 5 most effective ingredients for relieving a sore throat. Use them alone or in combination:
1. Salt: it absorbs water from swollen mucous membranes, reducing inflammation and pain.
2. Honey: it soothes and helps relieve the throat when it is dry, itchy and sore. It also kills bacteria. Be careful, do not give it to children under 2 years old.
3. Lemon: it removes excess mucus, kills bacteria and eases pain. Best used with honey.
4. Apple cider vinegar: it's a formidably effective antibacterial that relieves sore throat in no time.
5. Bicarbonate: Thanks to its pH level, it soothes skin irritations and also helps rid your body of bacteria which could make matters worse.
What sore throat do you suffer from?
Knowing what causes a sore throat helps you know how to treat it.
• Swelling: The swelling of the tissues in the throat causes pain. In this case, instead, use a remedy that will deflate the throat.
• Dryness: If your throat is dry, choose a remedy that protects your throat without creating more mucus.
• Bacteria: Sore throat can be caused by bacteria. To do this, use a remedy that naturally kills these germs.
The next time your throat starts to hurt, use one of these natural remedies as soon as possible.
These home remedies can make a sore throat go away altogether if treated at the first symptoms.
When you take natural treatment your body feels much better than when you take commercial medicines, even if you don't feel it right away.
Your turn...
Have you tried any of these grandmother's sore throat remedies? Tell us in the comments if it worked for you. We can't wait to hear from you!
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Also to discover:
Sore throat ? My 3 little remedies from Grandmother.
Treat Your Sore Throat With 16 Effective Gargles.
