A sore throat is a condition where the throat becomes dry, painful, and itchy. It is caused mostly due to infections or environmental conditions like seasonal changes. The throat tends to become tender and irritated, which makes it difficult to swallow and even talk. Other reasons for a sore throat are cold, allergies, smoke, or injuries. This condition can be treated at home with very simple remedies.
Salt Water Gargling
Add ½ teaspoon of salt to warm water and gargle it for every three hours a day. This will help in reducing irritation and inflammation of the throat, as salt water tends to kill bacteria in the throat.
Honey
Mix honey and lemon juice in warm water and drink it. Honey contains antibacterial properties that will help in eliminating infections.
Garlic
Due to the antibacterial and antiseptic properties of garlic, it is useful in preventing sore throats. Crush 2 or 3 garlic cloves and chew them, or you could just add them to tea or any other food item.
Ginger
Ginger kills bacteria and also has anti-inflammatory effects on a sore throat. It can be added to tea or just warm water with honey and lemon. Drinking either of them twice a day will help.
Apple cider vinegar
Add ¼ cup of apple cider vinegar to the same amount of honey and eat 1 tablespoon every four hours. Another way is to mix vinegar and salted warm water for gargling. The acid will kill bacteria, which will help in curing the infection.
Turmeric
Mix ½ teaspoon of turmeric with salted warm water and gargle it. It can also be added to warm milk. Turmeric is an antioxidant and also has anti-inflammatory properties.
Lemon water
Mix one teaspoon of lemon juice with one cup of water and drink it frequently to cure a sore throat. Due to the acidic nature of lemon, bacteria will be killed in the throat.
Licorice Root
Licorice root has antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties that help in reducing swelling and irritation in the throat. Licorice roots can be infused in tea by adding 5 to 7 teaspoons of licorice root pieces into 3 cups of water. Two or three cups a day is efficient.
Slippery Elm
Slippery elm contains mucilage, which is a gel-like substance that reduces irritation by coating the throat. Add one teaspoon of elm to two cups of boiling water and then strain the solution. Drink it warm.
Sage and Echinacea
These two herbs are known for treating inflammatory conditions and sore throats. Sage and Echinacea can be strained and made into a tea, which can be used to gargle.
Herbal tea
Chamomile, lavender, and many kinds of herbal tea are known to treat a sore throat because of the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects they have on the throat. Peppermint is also very useful for sore throat relief. There are a lot of flavors in herbal tea that can be chosen according to taste.
These are a few home remedies that are effective in curing a sore throat, which is also recommended by doctors.