Sore throat is pain and irritation in throat due to infection such as cold and flu. It can also occur due to overuse of voice, hot food or sleeping with open mouth. Symptoms of sore throat includes scratchy voice, burning and irritation in swallowing. Sore throat is a common condition and there is no need to worry about it. It can be cured easily with natural ingredients at home. Let’s have a look on some of the effective Indian home remedies to treat sore throat.
Best Natural Remedies For Sore Throat
Sore throat can be treated naturally, But how? What to eat with a sore throat? Here are few remedies and food items that can be consumed to treat sore throat in no time.
1. Honey
Honey is a common home remedy for sore throat. Honey can be consumed directly or can be mixed with tea. Known for its healing properties, honey helps in curing sore throat. It also suppresses cough and treats respiratory tract infections. Antimicrobial properties of honey helps in fighting against influenza virus that causes flu.
2. Peppermint
Peppermint is known for freshening breath. Spraying dilutes peppermint oil also relieves sore throat. Menthol present in peppermint reduces mucus and soothes throat and cough. Also, its anti-bacterial, antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties help to encourage healing.
3. Fenugreek
Fenugreek is an essential home remedy with many benefits. You can drink fenugreek tea to get rid of sore throat. Crush some fenugreek seeds and steep them in hot water for 10 to 15 minutes. You can add honey or sugar according to taste and your tea is ready. Healing properties of fenugreek relieve pain and also kills bacteria that causes inflammation and irritation.
4. Chamomile Tea
Chamomile tea is used as a herbal medicine for a long period of time. It helps in soothing sore throat. It also stimulates the immune system and treats the infection that causes a sore throat. Inhaling Camomile stem can also relieve few symptoms of cold including sore throat. Add a handful of chamomile flower to 8 ounces of boiling water and allow it to steep for 5 minutes and your tea is ready. Consume it and get relief from sore throat.
5.Salt Water
Add a teaspoon of salt to 1 glass of water and gargle with it. It calms the sore throat and also helps in killing bacteria present in throat. Gargling with it regularly reduces swelling and cleans the throat. Do it three to four times a day for better results.
6.Apple Cider Vinegar
Mix 1 tablespoon apple cider Vinegar in 1 cup of warm water and drink it. You can also add honey for taste. Antibacterial properties of apple cider vinegar provides relief from sore throat.
7.Marshmallow Root
Mucilage, a gelatin-like substance present in marshmallow root coats and calms the sore throat. Add some dry roots to a cup of boiling water and let it steep for a few minutes. Strain the solution and add honey to enhance the taste. If you have diabetes, consult to your doctor before consuming marshmallow root.
8.Licorice Root
Licorice has properties similar to aspirin and is helpful in reducing sore throat. Combine some licorice roots to a cup of boiling water and steep it for 5 minutes. Strain and drink the solution. You can also gargle with licorice water to reduce the chances of having sore throat.
9.Ginger
Ginger is a highly effective home remedy for sore throat. Drinking ginger tea boost the immune system and anti-inflammatory properties kill the bacteria that cause infection. Steep ginger roots for few minutes in boiling water and add honey. Consuming this tea will heal the sore throat and provide relief from pain.
10.Sage And Echinacea
Studies have shown that sage works to relieve throat pain. Echinacea is also a herbal medicine. It fights against bacteria and reduces inflammation. Sage-Echinacea spray has been found really effective for treating Sore throat naturally. Add sage and Echinacea in boiling water and allow them to steep for 30 minutes. Strain the solution and put it into a spray bottle. Spray this solution in every two hours or whenever you feel necessary.
11.Lemon Water
Lemon water contains Vitamin C and antioxidants that helps in soothing sore throat and promotes healing. Squeeze a juice of 1 lemon into a cup of warm water and add some honey to maximize the benefits. Lemon water also reduces throat pain during cough and flu.
12.Coconut Oil
Add a spoonful of Coconut oil in hot tea or soup. You can also put a teaspoon coconut oil in the mouth and let it melt down your throat. Coconut oil calms the throat and its anti-inflammatory properties help in fighting against the infection. Don’t exceed the limit of 2 tablespoons (30ml) coconut oil per day.
13.Cinnamon
Cinnamon is a traditional remedy for treating cold and flu. You can add cinnamon to your black or herbal tea. Cinnamon fights against infection and reduces pain during cold. You can also prepare a syrup by mixing 1 tablespoon cinnamon powder to 1 tablespoon of honey directly or with water. It will help you to treat cold, flue and sore throat.
[Read More: Cinnamon Essential Oil – Benefits, Precautions & more]
14.Turmeric
Turmeric contains anti-inflammatory, antiseptic and antioxidant properties that helps in soothing and treating sore throat. It can also provide relief from pain and irritation during cold. You can consume turmeric as tea. Add ground turmeric to boiling water and steep it for few seconds. Add honey to the solution and sip the tea.
15.Tomato Juice
Tomato temporarily relieves the symptoms of sore throat, add half cup tomato juice and 10 drops of hot pepper sauce to half cup hot water and gargle with the solution. It will provide quick relief from sore throat.
16.Slippery Elm
Try slippery elm when suffering from sore throat, it acts as a great remedy. Add powdered bark to hot water and stir well. Consume the solution and it will help you to form a gel around throat which calms and reduces sore throat.
17.Herbal Lozenges
Sucking of a throat lozenge is really soothing for throat. It mixes with saliva and coats the throat lining. It also reduces pain, itching and dryness of throat. You can get herbal lozenges online or from any grocery shop.
18.Soup Broth
Drinking soup broth boost up the immunity and also relieves from symptoms of cold. Few people believe that inhaling vapors of hot soup contains throat soothing properties. One study also say that sipping soup broth through a straw from a full covered container provides decrement in the production of mucus.
19.Cayenne Pepper
Capsicum present in hot pepper helps to reduce pain and inflammation of throat. Add five shakes of ground cayenne pepper to a cup of hot water and gargle with water. It may burn, but do it every 15 minutes to get relief from sore throat.
20.Humidifier
Humidifier moistens dry air and keeps the throat moist. It soothes symptoms of cough and cold and also relieves from sore throat. Keep your humidifier clean and always change its water to stay away from the risk of developing bacteria in it.
21.Chicken Soup
Warm chicken soup is a great remedy for treating sore throat and cold, it also keeps you hydrated. You can also add garlic to make it more efficient. According to some studies, it may contain some anti-inflammatory properties that can reduce symptoms of cold.
22. Wheatgrass Juice
Wheatgrass juice is another home remedy for treating sore throat easily. This juice with enough chlorophyll helps in relieving pain and killing the bacteria that cause infection. Quickly rinse your mouth or gargle with it. It is also known for stopping tooth ache and helps to revitalise gums.
23. Goldenseal And Water
Mix one and a half goldenseal tincture in 8 ounces of water and gargle with the solution. It kills bacteria and viruses and calms the throat.
24. Clove Tea
Anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties present in cloves helps in soothing and treating sore throat. Add 1 to 3 teaspoon clove powder or ground cloves to hot water and gargle with the water. It will heal the sore throat really fast.
25. Raspberry Tea
Raspberry tea is known from a long period of time for the treatment of cold and flu. You just have to mix 1 cup of boiled water with 2 teaspoon dried raspberry leaves. Let the leaves steep for few minutes and gargle with the solution when it comes to normal temperature.
26. Acupuncture
Acupuncture may also help you to treat sore throat. Practitioners say that there are few points on hand that can provide fast relief from pain during sore throat.
27. Take A Vitamin C Supplement
Vitamin C boosts the immune system and is helpful in soothing a sore throat but eating only oranges is not enough. Consumption of 1000mg (equal to approximately 20 oranges) of vitamin C can reduce the duration and influence of cold.
28. Suck On Garlic
Strong antimicrobial and antiviral properties of garlic stimulates the immune system and fights against cold and sore throat. It reduces the time period of cold and also relieves from its symptoms fast.
29. Steam It Out
Breathing in steam from a hot shower can help you to reduce swelling and pain. You can also lean over to sink with hot water, cover your head with a towel and inhale. It can also calm the throat by reducing swelling and healing sore throat.
30. Green Tea
Green tea is a natural and effective home remedy for treating sore throat. Prepare a cup of green tea and gargle with it. You can repeat it three to four times a day. Antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties of green tea relieves sore throat.
[Read More: Interesting Benefits of Green Tea Oil for Skin, Hair & Health]
30.Plenty Of Fluids
When you are suffering from sore throat, stay hydrated. It reduces mucus secretion and keeps the throat moist. Avoid drinking alcohol and caffeinated drinks such as coffee to avoid dehydration.
Sore Throat Home Remedies For Infants And Children
1. Humidifier
It is a good method to treat sore throat for kids as it is important to moisten and soothe a throat. Humidifier moistens the air and keeps throat and mouth moist.
2. Hot Sauce
It is similar to the remedy we use for adults with cayenne pepper. You just have to use hot sauce that contains cayenne that comes in liquid form for milder effects, instead of using powdered cayenne method.
3. Children’s Tylenol
Tylenol or acetaminophen is a common and active remedy for treating sore throat in infants and children. When given in safe amount to kids, it is really helpful and effective.
4. Throat Sprays
Throat sprays also works good for sore throat but make sure that your kid is old enough to take throat spray. Consult to doctor before you provide throat spray to a baby less than two years of age.
5. Peppermint
Peppermint spray can be used easily to get rid of swollen throat and pain in kids.
6. Cold Liquids
Try cold liquids like ice and milk for the kids. Keep them away from acidic drinks such as orange juice and soft drinks.
7. Pineapple Juice
Pineapple juice is a tasty and beneficial sore throat remedy for kids. A digestive enzyme named Bromelain is really helpful in healing dry cough.
8. Honey
Healing properties of honey fastens the cure of throat and reduces the pain. It is a common and effective medicine to treat symptoms of cough and flu.
9. Popsicles
Cold popsicle can soothe and numb throat for a period of time.
What To Avoid
Sore throat is a common symptom and can be cured easily when treated with right and beneficial ingredients. However, certain food items can make your situation worse by increasing pain and dryness during sore throat. Therefore, it is really important to know what to avoid along with what to eat to heal and treat the condition quickly. Here are some food items to avoid, until your sore throat heals properly.
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Fatty Food
Fatty foods are hard to digest and can suppress the immune system leading to worsening of symptoms of cold such as sore throat. Some of the dried-fry foods have breading that can increase the irritation of throat. Eat food with low dietary and choose lean foods like turkey, fish and chicken instead of full fat foods. Consume soft food moist food such as soups and tea.
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Citric And Acidic Food
Do not consume acidic food like tomato, orange, grapefruit and lemon as acidic content in these fruits can enhance the irritation and pain. Instead of citric fruits you can include banana, melon and kiwi in your diet for soothing. And if you want to add vitamin C in diet, go for kale or red pepper instead of citrus fruits.
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Spicy Foods
Food having hot sauce, powdered chilli, curry, nutmeg, pepper and clove leads to irritation and can also exasperate sore throat. Instead of these, you can use ginger in your food for taste because ginger contains anti-inflammatory properties that can even provide relief from sore throat. Garlic reduces the symptoms of cold and helps in its recovery.
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Coarse Foods
Uncooked vegetables, granola and dry toast, these are food having uneven or rough texture. They scratch and adverse the condition of sore throat. One should not have coarse food during the time of sore throat, instead you can have smooth and easy to engulf things like cheese, soups having cream, eggs, yoghurt, ice cream, mashed potatoes, cooked cereals, smoothies and casseroles. Even you can moisten the coarse food by either adding gravy to it or by steaming the food.
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