Viruses or bacterial infections are passed around more quickly than social media memes or hot celebrity gossip. The most common viral strains typically induce sore throats or common colds, and the symptoms that occur, while they can be harmless, are quite simply annoying.
Even though common colds and sore throats can be harmless, these conditions result from some sort of infection or virus. If the symptoms go untreated, they can persist longer than necessary and may possibly worsen to more serious illnesses that might keep you in bed for a few weeks. You don’t want to be the person who develops bronchitis because he/she didn’t gargle with salt water, drink tea, or perform a Neti pot nasal rinse. These remedies are easy to do and can provide sore throat relief in an instant without the need for medications. Let’s explore how to get rid of a sore throat below.
Raw Honey
Raw honey has been one of the most popular sore throat remedy choices for centuries. Not only does it soothe the pain, but it also has strong antibacterial and antimicrobial properties, which help keep the germs at bay. In doing so, this allows your immune system to function more efficiently.
Salt Water
Salt water is one of the best home remedies for a sore throat, and almost everyone has tried it. There is no denying the fact that gargling salt water provides immediate relief by killing the bacteria that is causing the inflammation in the first place. When you gargle with salt water, make sure that the water is hot, but not boiling, because the heat helps to kill bacteria.
Cinnamon
Cinnamon is another sore throat treatment that has been used for hundreds of years, especially in Chinese culture. Cinnamon is not only delicious in culinary creations, but is also full of antioxidants and has numerous antibacterial properties, which help to battle the viruses or bacteria that cause sore throats.
Echinacea
Echinacea is a plant that has been shown to have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiviral properties, making it an excellent candidate to use when you have a sore throat. You can buy it in most pharmacies as a supplement, tincture, or in the form of a soothing tea that has long-lasting benefits.
Stay Hydrated With Water and Tea
We already discussed a few different tea options on this list, but one of the simplest sore throat remedies you should keep in mind is hydrating with water. The one-two punch combination of water and hot tea helps your body fight off bacteria by keeping the throat moist. At the same time, you also provide enough fluids to the immune system, which is essential for it to function properly. You can find a selection of herbal teas by clicking here, or find herbal caffeine-free teas in most grocery stores.
Herbs
Besides the Echinacea that we previously discussed, there are a host of herbs with beneficial qualities, which might be just what you need when trying to figure out how to soothe a sore throat. The most popular herbs for a sore throat include chamomile, mint, marshmallow root, sage, and thyme. Get your hands on these and brew some teas!
Baking Soda Gargle
If you don’t want to gargle saltwater, try using baking soda, as it has additional antibacterial and soothing properties, which can help make your treatment more effective. You can even consider mixing small amounts of both salt and baking soda to maximize your healing efforts. Try not to do this too much if you have sensitive teeth or gums because the baking soda can cause some mild irritation.
Lemon and Ginger
Mixing lemon and ginger with hot water can often be a more pleasant alternative to gargling saltwater, especially when you consider that it may have just as positive of an effect. Lemon can help break up the mucus in your throat, reducing the discomfort, while the antibacterial qualities of ginger will assist your body in fighting off the bacteria.
Apple Cider Vinegar
You’ve probably already heard about the countless benefits of apple cider vinegar, but you may not have known that it’s also one of the most effective remedies for a sore throat. Just like with lemons, the acidic content of apple cider vinegar helps break down mucus and clear up congestion, which offers natural relief. Don’t drink it straight because that can burn the esophagus. Mix one tablespoon in a glass of lukewarm water and drink it when your throat is irritated.
Humidifiers
Sometimes, the best sore throat remedy is the helping prevent a sore throat in the first place. That’s why a humidifier is a great option! One of the most common reasons for a sore throat is dry air, because it dries out the throat and makes it more susceptible to bacteria.
Essential Oils
Essential oils have been used for centuries to treat various ailments, so it comes as no surprise that they are excellent for sore throats as well. Before we continue, it is not recommended to consume essential oils; rather, the aroma is going to benefit the sore throat and promote healing. Add a few drops of essential oil (eucalyptus and tea tree are great) to a large bowl of boiling water, hover your face over the bowl, and drape a towel over your head and the bowl to create a tent. Inhale the vapors to not only soothe your throat, but to also clear up congestion and kill bacteria.
Rest
Finally, no matter what treatments you end up using, the most important thing is to allow yourself time to rest in order to let the body do its job. If you’re suffering from a sore throat and continue to overexert yourself, it will be tough to beat the infection quickly, and you may end up developing a more serious condition or symptoms that could take much longer to go away. It’s better to give yourself at least a couple of days of rest, whenever possible. Sleep is the best way to rejuvenate the body.
