5 Natural Remedies To Treat Dry Throat

A dry throat can be really irritating!It can disturb your sleep at night and even make it difficult to work during the daytime.A dry, scratchy throat is a common problem that is usually caused by an inflammation of the pharynx, a tube that extends from the back of the nose and mouth to the esophagus that leads to the stomach.

Several factors can lead to this discomfort and pain in the throat.In most cases, it occurs during the cold winter months when the air is dry and upper respiratory infections are spreading like wildfire. It can also be a symptom of other conditions like mononucleosis, tonsillitis, strep throat, acid reflux or GERD, flu, cold, and hay fever or allergies.

* Salt Water Gargle

The simplest way to effectively deal with a dry throat is to gargle with salt water.Salt has antiseptic and antimicrobial properties that help clear any microbial infection by restricting its growth. It also helps draw out the mucus and phlegm from the throat and keep the mouth hydrated.

- Add ½ teaspoon of salt to 1 cup of lukewarm water.
- Stir it well to dissolve the salt.
- Gargle with this solution for a few seconds, then spit it out.
- Repeat at regular intervals until you get relief from your dry throat.

* Honey

Honey can relieve the symptoms of a dry throat, due its moisturizing and humectant properties. It also contains antibacterial, antimicrobial and antiseptic properties that fight against the microbes that can cause an infection and lead to a dry throat.It also works like a hypertonic osmotic, which means that it helps draw water out of inflamed tissue and thus reduces swelling.

- Mix 1 tablespoon of raw, organic honey into a cup of warm water. Stir well and drink it 2 or 3 times a day.
- Alternatively, mix 1 tablespoon each of honey and lemon juice into a cup of lukewarm water. Sip the mixture slowly. Drink this a few times a day.
- Before going to bed, add 1 teaspoon of honey to a glass of warm milk. Drink it to soothe your dry throat and help you sleep better.

* Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar can be diluted for use as a gargle or added to hot tea or a glass of water to fight an infection and alkalize the body. This simple go-to remedy helps with dry and sore throats caused by an allergy or an infection.

- Mix 1 tablespoon of raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar into 1 cup of warm water. Stir well and drink it twice daily to get rid of throat dryness.
- Also, you can make a gargle solution with apple cider vinegar. Mix 1 teaspoon of salt and 1 tablespoon of raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar into 1 cup of warm water. Gargle with it several times a day.

* Chewing Gum

Chewing a piece of sugar-free gum is a simple yet effective way to deal with a dry throat. The act of chewing stimulates the flow of saliva in your mouth and throat. Once saliva production increases, the throat becomes moist, which in turn provides relief from the dryness. If possible, choose an unsweetened variety of chewing gum to soothe your throat. But be sure to avoid sugary as well as mint-flavored gum.Similarly, you can suck on ice chips, sugar-free popsicles or throat lozenges to help keep your throat adequately moist.

* Slippery Elm

Slippery elm contains mucilage, a gel-like substance that coats the throat, eases soreness and reduces irritation. This in turn will reduce the dryness in your throat.It also stimulates saliva production, which is important for fighting the symptoms of a dry throat.

- Add 1 teaspoon of the inner bark of slippery elm to 2 cups of boiling water.
- Let it steep for a few minutes, then strain the solution.
- Add a little honey and drink it slowly while it is still warm.
- Have it 2 or 3 times a day.