It’s that time of year again when the dreaded sore throat creeps up on you at any given moment. It may be time to get flu shots, but it’s also time to keep our bodies healthy for the season. While many folks would rather take medicine to speed up the healing process, there are others who don’t believe in manmade medication and prefer to take the natural route. There may also be some who want to start using home remedies, but don’t know the best way to go about it. Here are some simple home remedies for a sore throat to get you started!
HERBAL TEAS
Herbal teas are naturally quite healing for various ailments, and there are a plethora of teas that can be used to soothe and eventually heal a sore throat. Decaffeinated green tea and clove tea both have antibacterial properties to combat infection and fight inflammation while providing pain relief. Other great herbal teas to try are chamomile, raspberry, and peppermint tea because they all reduce inflammation and pain. Chamomile tea helps with hoarseness, while peppermint tea can numb your throat for a while. Herbal teas are suggested over caffeinated teas because resting is paramount in the healing process, so drinking decaffeinated tea will not only soothe a sore throat, but help you relax.
HUMIDIFIERS
Many times, sore throats are caused by dry air, especially in the cold seasons. It’s very common to wake up with a sore throat if you’ve been sleeping in a cool, dry room all night. So if this happens to you often, it’s best to keep your throat moist overnight and invest in a humidifier. A humidifier keeps the air moist while opening your sinuses, thereby reducing your chances of waking up with a sore throat.
SALTWATER
Gargling salt water is effective in killing bacteria that cause sore throats while loosening the mucus and easing pain. This remedy is not immediately effective, nor will it heal sore throat right away, but doing it a few times daily will do the job. All you need is eight ounces of warm water and half a teaspoon of salt to gargle.
APPLE CIDER VINEGAR
This remedy is centuries old and has been prescribed by the father of medicine himself, Hippocrates! The main ingredient of apple cider vinegar, acetic acid, fights bacteria. Mixing apple cider with honey creates a powerful combination that helps treat common flu symptoms such as coughs and sore throats. Treat yourself to this natural home remedy by mixing one tablespoon of apple cider vinegar with some honey.
HONEY
Honey, honey, honey! It is one of the most powerful remedies for cold symptoms, especially sore throat. Its natural antibacterial properties allow it to be a wound healer while fighting pain and inflammation simultaneously. Honey is also a natural cough suppressant. There are a couple of ways to use honey as a home remedy. You can either take two tablespoons of honey in a cup of warm water or herbal tea several times a day, or you can just swallow two tablespoons of raw honey by itself (preferably in the morning). Using either method will offer quick pain relief.
LEMON WATER
Like saltwater and honey, lemon water (or just plain lemons) helps to break up mucus and relieve pain. Lemons are loaded with vitamin C, which empowers your immune system to fight off your infection. Just one tablespoon of freshly squeezed lemon juice in warm water will provide quick relief!
Home remedies are an important alternative to those who are sensitive to over-the-counter medicine and its side effects. Not only will these remedies heal your throat naturally, they also keep your body healthy as a whole by building up your immune system to fight off future cold symptoms all winter!
