Pain or irritation in the throat is called as a sore throat. The most common cause of sore throat is a viral infection. Allergies, Pollution, Illness like cold & flu, chickenpox, dry air, etc. can cause viral infections resulting in sore throat. It can be mild or extremely painful. Doctors are now focusing mainly on homemade remedies for soothing a sore throat rather than antibiotics due to the side effects.
Below are some homemade tricks to soothe a sore throat:
Honey- Scientific studies have proved that honey is enriched with antibacterial properties. As a result of this, it helps in healing the wounds and for suppressing the cough. For a sore throat, you can snoop honey directly, or mixing it with tea can also be effective. Also, consuming a mixture of honey with ginger, lemon and warm water would do miracles.
Salt Water- Mixture of Salt and warm water is helpful in reducing the pain of an inflamed throat as it draws excessive fluid from the throat tissues. Hence gargling with salt water is one of the best homemade remedies for a sore throat. Gargle vigorously for about 10-20 seconds and repeat.
Steam treatment- Steam is supposed to moisten the throat, particularly when it hurts due to dryness. Boil a pot of water vigorously and pour it in a bowl. Lean over the bowl and inhale the steam slowly.
Marshmallow Root- Marshmallow Root is found to be effective in treating a sore throat. It contains mucus, which covers the throat reducing the pain. Prepare a cup of tea using marshmallow root and boiling water. Sipping it repeatedly erases the throat pain.
Garlic- This is a very intense method against sore throat and also is bound to relieve throat pain.Garlic’s Allicin, which is majorly responsible for fresh aroma when chopped exhibits antiviral properties. Hence a clove of garlic releases Allicin, which kills the bacteria causing pain and irritation.
Onion Mixture gargle- Onion Mixture gargle sounds unpleasant, but it is easy to prepare and helps in relieving the pain.
- Preparation: Add 1 tsp Salt and the juice of 2 lemons in a mixture of finely chopped onion and ½ red chili. Refrigerate the mixture for an hour and strain into a glass. Gargle for 10-20 seconds, spit and repeat.
Apple Cider Vinegar- Apple Cider Vinegar is highly acidic, which helps in killing the bacteria. Hence, it is also found to be effective in treating a sore throat. For soothing a sore throat; it has to be fixed with honey.
- Preparation: Add 1 tsp Apple Cider Vinegar with 1 tsp honey and 1 cup warm water and drink it when it’s still warm.
Baking Soda- Baking soda is slightly alkaline and gargling thrice a day with a mixture of warm water; 1 tsp salt and ½ tsp baking soda can soothe minor skin irritations. Baking soda also exhibits antibacterial properties which help in killing the bacteria’s causing throat pain.
Pomegranate- Gargling or drinking pomegranate juice is beneficial in treating sore throat as it contains anti-oxidants and astringents. Astringents help in reducing the throat swelling by contracting the throat tissues in turn reducing the throat pain.
Peppermint- Peppermint contains menthol, which helps in reducing the mucus and relieving the throat pain. American Cancer society has proved that sprays containing Peppermint oil are effective against sore throat.
All above remedies will help soothe your throat effectively. Try it.