A sore throat is no picnic – it can make it difficult to swallow, speak or even breathe. Fortunately, there are safe and effective remedies that can help relieve all of the unpleasant sore throat symptoms, including pain and irritation.
In this blog post, we’ll explore natural treatments that can give you fast relief without resorting to drugs like antibiotics or antihistamines. We’ll also cover why it’s important to get an accurate diagnosis and when you should see a doctor for more serious cases of sore throat, so you know exactly what kind of treatment plan might work best for you. With these simple tips in mind, you can soon feel better!
Did you just catch a cold? Here are the first steps to take!
There are a variety of treatments you can use to soothe your sore throat and reduce inflammation, which will help you recover faster.
To start, drink warm liquids.
Herbal tea or warm water with honey can help soothe the pain associated with a sore throat. Honey has antimicrobial properties and can help reduce inflammation in the throat, while warm liquids will help coat your throat and relieve irritation.
Gargle with salt water.
Dissolving a teaspoon of salt in 250ml of warm water and gargling with it for 30 seconds can help clear mucus from the throat and reduce swelling and pain.
Make your own natural pastilles at home.
Use ingredients such as lemon juice, honey, grated ginger root and cayenne pepper. Simply combine these ingredients in equal parts and boil them over low heat until they become thick enough to form pellets. Allow them to cool before consuming them, and take one every few hours if needed. Lemon juice helps reduce throat acidity while ginger helps reduce inflammation; cayenne pepper helps relieve congestion with its powerful antibacterial properties.
Inhale the steam.
Finally, steam inhalation is another great way to quickly calm inflamed airways. Simply fill a bowl with warm water and add a few drops of essential oil like eucalyptus or peppermint to it before inhaling deeply over the bowl for several minutes at a time throughout the day until symptoms disappear. The steam helps thin mucus and clear the airways, while the essential oils provide extra anti-inflammatory benefits that can speed up healing.
In Ayurvedic medicine, other plants can be useful to overcome your sore throat effectively:
All of these herbal remedies not only provide symptom relief, but can also help support the body’s ability to heal itself naturally. For example,
Tulsi (also known as holy basil):
This is an often-recommended herb because it provides anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits that help reduce throat discomfort.
Turmeric:
This spice is also a common Ayurvedic remedy for sore throats, due to its natural antiviral and antibacterial properties which can help boost immunity and fight infections.
Licorice root:
It can also help soothe an irritated throat and provide relief by suppressing mucus production.
Finally, the fennel seeds:
They are often brewed into a tea and taken internally to relieve sore throats. If you think that with all these natural treatments, no progression has been observed, it is time to take the advice of a health professional.
When does it get worrisome?
In general, mild sore throats are common and go away on their own in 7-10 days. However, if the sore throat is accompanied by other symptoms such as fever, swollen glands in the neck, or white patches on the tonsils, it is best to see a doctor right away.
In some cases, a sore throat can be a sign of a more serious infection, such as strep throat or even epiglottitis. If left untreated, these infections can lead to serious complications such as dehydration and rheumatic fever. So, if your sore throat persists for more than 10 days, or if it gets worse instead of better after several days, see a doctor right away.
