10 Home Remedies For A Sore Throat

Got an important interview?

Got a music show to perform on stage?

Have something important to convey to someone special to you?

These and more such times are when a sore throat is the last thing you want. A sore throat before such an important time or occasion fumes the hell out of you. You feel being left with no choice, but to accept your fate with a sore throat and move on.

But wait! Is that really the only choice you have got? Apparently not. Home remedies have long been known to help in many such health related situations. The best part of trying a home remedy is that it is a natural, simple and cost-effective way to cure health problems.

So, before we jump to 10 home remedies for a sore throat, let us first understand some of the most common and possible causes of a sore throat.

• Viral and bacterial infections
• Consuming liquids or foods at very low temperatures, especially when your body temperature is high after a workout
• Stressing your vocal chords by frequent shouting and screaming
• Smoking and chewing tobacco
• Any food allergies

In these or any other situations, when you develop a sore throat or a throat infection, it is always advisable to consult a doctor. However, in case you are not able to do so for any reason, adopting few home remedies to cure a sore throat can give you a temporary/permanent relief.

So, without any further delay, let’s have a look at 10 home remedies for a sore throat.

Image Source: www.contravol.com

Sore Throat Home Remedies

Salt Water Gargle 

This is one of the most easiest and quickest home remedies for curing a sore throat. Just heat a glass of water to lukewarm temperature and mix 1 tsp of salt in it. Then do gargles with that water 2 to 3 times a day for few days. This will relax you throat muscles and provide effective relief from the sore throat issue.

Ginger Tea

A hot cup of ginger tea can work wonders in case of sore throat problems. Just crush a long ginger piece and add in a pan of water. Boil it for 2-3 minutes and then add tea leaves to prepare ginger tea. Remember to not over consume it or add more than required ginger.

Honey-Ginger Syrup

Both honey and ginger are well known to be miraculous ingredients when it comes to curing throat infections and inflammations. So, when we combine both these ingredients in the form of a syrup, it can be extremely helpful in curing a sore throat. It is very easy to make at home. Just peel and grate a long piece of ginger and put it in a pan. Now pour honey over this grated ginger. The quantity of healthy  honey to be poured depends on how much grated ginger you want to cover. Heat this mixture over a light flame for 12-15 minutes. Now allow it to cool and pour the syrup in an airtight glass jar. You can now use it as per need and refrigerate the remaining syrup. This can easily last for few weeks. The honey-ginger syrup is an excellent home remedy and very helpful in fighting infections.

Image Source: www.creedeoliveoil.com​

Apple Cider Vinegar

Surprised? Don’t be! Apple Cider Vinegar or ACV has a high level of acidity. This acidity can be immensely effective in destroying bacteria. And this can be very useful in curing throat infection. Mix it with honey and warm water and then consume it. This way it will be easier to drink and the honey + warm water combination gives a soothing effect to a sore throat.

Alum (Phitkari) Gargle

1/2 tsp of Alum (Phitkari) mixed in half glass of hot water is an efficient mixture for a sore throat cure. Just do gargles with this mixture and you will soon find relief from a sore throat & pain from the infection that has been troubling you. It is a very good and effective home remedy for a sore throat and pain from a throat infection.

Image Source: www.cafetalks.net

Basil Leaves or Tulsi

Basil Leaves or Tulsi is a gift of nature and a boon in the form of a natural medicine. Boil some tulsi leaves in a pan of water and then allow it to cool down a bit. Now do regular gargles with this warm water and also drink it. It’s one of the best home remedies for a sore throat and throat infections. This wonder herb is very effective in healing sore throat, cough, and even respiratory disorders.

Steam

Boil some water in a utensil and keep it in front of you. Now keep a towel over your head covering the top of the head and both sides of your face. Keeping a safe distance from the utensil with hot water, inhale the hot water steam. Breathing in the steam and inhaling it inside your body through your nose and throat, will bring effective relief from any throat swelling and also ease the pain from a sore throat.

Image Source: www.indiatvnews.com

Licorice Root or Mulethi

This is another wonder herb from mother nature and has been in use for healing throat related problems since ages. The best part is that you don’t necessarily have to prepare anything for this herb. Sucking and chewing small pieces of Mulethi is itself very useful for relief from a sore throat and cough. Licorice root is also used as a key ingredient in many herbal teas due to its anti-inflammatory properties.

But remember to not consume licorice root in large quantity as it might lead to high blood pressure and thus, people with heart ailments should use it cautiously.

Chicken Soup

Easy to prepare and delicious to consume, what else would anyone want a sour throat healing home remedy to be. Consuming a home-made and oil-free chicken soup helps in soothing the pain and inflammation caused by a sore throat. It acts as an effective lubricant for the roughness caused due to the throat infection.

Raw Garlic

Yes, it may sound a bit difficult to consume raw garlic, but the wonder it can do in healing your sore throat, will not make you think twice. Garlic has antiseptic properties. It has a compound called allicin which is released when we crush garlic. This compound has antibacterial properties and is also effective against viral infections. So, simply chew or suck on a garlic clove for 10 minutes for getting relief from a sore throat and throat infections. You may consume some honey with it to sweeten the taste if required.

Apart from the above 10 home remedies for a sore throat, there are many other home remedies that can help relief pain and inflammation from a throat infection. There are various multivitamins tablets as well that can prove useful in cases of sore throat problems. But, as said earlier, please visit a doctor for a proper diagnosis and do not consume any medicine (herbal or allopathic) without expert consultation.

Hope you found this blog useful. For any other queries or questions that you may have regarding health or fitness, please ask a question in our Q&A section or drop a comment below this blog. We would love to hear from you.