Sore throat - the most common contagious
viral or bacterial infection... a tickling sensation that becomes sore,
frustrating and eventually severely painful. Antibiotics can cure only bacterial
sore throats but for viral based infections, antibiotics are of no use. However,
natural remedies for sore throat can really do wonders with viral based
infections. You will get pain relief usually within an hour or two by using
these natural health remedies for sore throats, but sometimes it may take a
little more time.
Most natural health remedies boost our body's
natural resistance power to combat infections and to support our immune system.
To lessen the symptoms of an irritated sore throat and speed the healing, these
natural health remedies for sore throat can be easily and effectively used at
home.
1. First of all, increase your liquid intake as
it helps to hydrate dry mucous membranes and keeps your throat coated with
moisture. Mild, warm and soothing drinks like ginger n honey tea, holly basil n
clove tea, decaffeinated coffee, and warm water with lemon and honey are some of
the best natural health remedies for sore throats.
2. Use a humidifier in your room as dry air
irritates sore throat. Humidifier reduces the irritation by adding moisture to
the air.
3. One of the best known natural health
remedies for sore throat is gargling. Gargling with a mild mixture of salt or
4-6 drops of grapefruit seed extract and warm water, sage or raspberry leaf tea
or other herbal teas, several times a day, will ease sore throat pain, reduce
the inflammation and hydrate dry tissues.
4. Some aroma oils like tea tree, geranium,
lemon, cypress or bergamot essential oils can be taken as gargles with warm
water and to moisten the irritated throat with a spoonful of honey.
5. Vitamin C is also a natural health remedy
for sore throat. and is very helpful in speeding up the healing process for sore
throat and it is recommended by doctors. Vitamin C enriched fruits like
pineapple, oranges, lemons and limes contain natural anti-inflammatory agents
and are also natural health remedies for sore throat.
6. Take two or more cloves crushed and two
teaspoons of fresh holly basil leaves, then pour boiling water over them and
steep for ten minutes. Strain the tea, add some honey and drink it. You can
repeat it for a maximum of two to three days.
7. Natural health remedies for sore throat also
include using the throat reflex points on your feet and both hands to heal sore
throat by applying acupressure acupuncture or reiki techniques.
8. Steam inhalation for some minutes will help
you breathe easier if you are feeling difficulty in taking a breath. Put 3 drops
of tea tree oil, eucalyptus, rosemary or lavender oils in a bowl of boiling
water and inhale deeply for 3-5 minutes.
9. Some of the herbs such as slippery elm,
licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra), cider vinegar, cedar, scallion, cayenne pepper,
sage, honeysuckle flower and marshmallow root are also used as natural health
remedies for sore throat.
10. Another natural health remedy for sore
throat is a soothing hot cup of barrage tea, anise mint tea, fenugreek seed's
tea or a concoction of tea leaves, cinnamon or turmeric powder two or three
times a day will also sooth, coat and protect the throat.