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Tuesday 8 October 2013

Top 10 Home Remedies for Sore Throat

04:21
A sore throat burns, feels scratchy and may cause pain that makes it hard to talk or swallow. The usual cause is a virus or bacteria, though throat irritation may also be caused by smoking, dry heat, postnasal drip or an allergic reaction.

While those are the primary reasons for a sore throat, there are others, including:
  • Acid re-flux
  • Allergies
  • Dry air, especially at night when you may sleep with your mouth open
  • Mouth breathing
  • Throat abuse: singing, shouting, coughing
  • Polyps or cancer
  • Infected tonsils
  • Food allergy
Try these sore throat remedies to feel better fast:

Salt Water

One of the best ways to get relief from sore throat is to gargle with salt water. Salt works like an antiseptic and helps to draw water out of mucous membranes in the throat. This cuts phlegm and reduces inflammation and gives you instant relief. Take half teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water and then use this water to gargle. Do not swallow the water as you need to spit the water out after gargling. If you do not like the salty taste, add a small amount of honey to the solution. You must gargle with saltwater at least four times a day to improve the condition of your throat.

Honey

Honey is also one of the easily available ingredients that can be used to treat sore throat. Honey has antibacterial properties, which can fasten up the healing process. At the same time honey works like a hypertonic osmotic, this means that it helps to draw water out of inflamed tissue and thus reducing the swelling and inflammation. Add one to two tablespoon of honey to one cup of hot water and drink it several times a day. You can also add honey to your favorite cup of herbal tea. Before going to bed eat one teaspoon of honey as it will give you soothing relief and help you to enjoy sound sleep.

Lemon

You can also use fresh lemons to get relief from sore throat. Take half a piece of lemon and sprinkle salt and pepper over it and slowly lick the lemon. Another option is to gargle with freshly pressed lemon juice diluted with equal amount of warm water. At the same time you can try hot lemonade with honey to get relief from the pain. To make the lemonade, add the juice of half a lemon and one tablespoon of honey to one cup of warm water and sip it slowly to get instant relief from the pain.

Garlic

Garlic has antibacterial and antiseptic properties along with other medicinal properties which can help to treat or prevent sore throats. Take a fresh garlic clove, cut it into half and then suck the pieces. Occasionally, crush the garlic piece with your teeth to release the chemical known as allicin that help to kill the bacteria that causes sore throat. Alternatively you can use garlic oil. Add a few drops of garlic oil to one-fourth cup of water and use it to gargle once daily. Also try to eat garlic in raw and cooked form. If you do not like garlic taste, you can take garlic pills.

Cinnamon

One more ingredient that can be used to treat sore throat, caused by common cold is cinnamon. Take one small piece of cinnamon stick, one pinch of pepper and boil it in two cups of water for a few minutes. Drain the water and add a teaspoon of honey to it. Now drink this water while it is still warm to get instant relief from sore throat. Follow this remedy once daily, for a week to get complete relief. Another option is to add a few drops of cinnamon oil to one teaspoon of pure honey and mix it properly. Consume this two times a day to get relief from the pain and inflammation associated with sore throat.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar can also be used in the treatment of sore throat due to its antibacterial properties. Add two tablespoon of apple cider vinegar to half a cup of warm water and drink it slowly. Soon you will get relief from the pain and inflammation. You can also make a gargle solution with apple cider vinegar. For this you will need one teaspoon salt and half cup of apple cider vinegar. Mix both the ingredients in one cup of warm water and use it to gargle several times a day.

Marshmallow Root

Marshmallow root contains throat-coating mucilage and hence it can also be used in the treatment of sore throat. Marshmallow root tea is the best way to treat sore throat along with common cough and cold. To make this herbal tea, add one tablespoon of the dried marshmallow root to one cup of boiling water and steep it for about half an hour. Finally strain the solution, add some honey and drink it. You can have three cups of this herbal tea in a day. Those who are diabetic must not follow this remedy. Also this remedy is not recommended for pregnant or nursing women.

Slippery Elm

Slippery elm contains mucilage, a gel like substance that coats the throat and eases the soreness and reduces the throat irritation. For the treatment of sore throat use the inner bark of slippery elm. Take one teaspoon of the inner bark of slippery elm and add it to two cups of boiling water. Allow it to steep for a few minutes, and then strain the solution and drink it slowly while it is still warm. In fact, you can use this solution for the treatment of any kind of respiratory illness or laryngitis. If this herb is not available, you can also buy slippery elm in capsule form from any medical store.

Fenugreek

The next powerful ingredient to treat sore throat is fenugreek. You can prepare a gargle from fenugreek seeds, which is very effective to treat sore throat. Add two tablespoon of fenugreek seeds to six cups of water and boil it for about half an hour. Allow it to come to room temperature and then filter the solution. Now use this solution as a gargle. The mucus-dissolving properties present in fenugreek will help to ease sore throat and give you instant relief from pain and inflammation. You must gargle with this solution three to four times a day.

Turmeric

Another easy and great remedy for sore throat is turmeric which has powerful antiseptic properties. Take a quarter teaspoon of turmeric powder and add it to one glass of warm drinking water. Mix it properly and then drink it slowly in the morning on an empty stomach. Follow this remedy once daily for three to four days. Alternatively, you can add one teaspoon of turmeric powder and one teaspoon of ground black pepper to one glass of warm milk and drink it before going to bed. You can also gargle with turmeric to soothe a bad throat. Add half teaspoon of turmeric powder and half teaspoon salt to one glass of warm water and mix it properly. You must gargle with this mixture twice daily.
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