6 Must Try Remedies For Sore Throat

We all are familiar with a painful, dry or itchy feeling in the throat which is quite annoying and that is Sore Throat. It is one of the most common diseases and is caused by a viral infection, such as a cold or the flu or bacterial infection.

A sore throat caused due to viral infection resolves on its own however, if caused due to bacterial infection needs treatment with antibiotics. The primary symptom of sore throat is throat pain and it gets worse when we try to swallow food and liquids. The good news is that there are certain home remedies that can help to soothe the pain and irritation.

# Honey

Honey is a common ingredient found in every kitchen and is one of the effective home remedies for sore throat. In a warm glass of water, add 2 tablespoons of honey, stir it well and drink it. With its antibacterial properties, honey acts as a wound healer and offers immediate relief for pain in the throat. It coats the throat and helps in reducing inflammation and irritation. Moreover, its sweetness calms the throat nerve endings and can tame cough.

# Chicken Soup

Chicken soup has anti-inflammatory properties and it inhibits those components inside our body that cause inflammation in the throat. It soothes a sore throat, keeps it moistened and also helps to reduce cold symptoms.

# Gargling With Salt Water

Next, on the list of most commonly used home remedies for sore throat is gargling with salt water. Salt helps to soothe a scratchy throat and relieves the discomfort by pulling the mucus out of the swollen, inflamed tissue. In a glass of warm water, mix ½ teaspoon of salt and gargle away.

# Ginger Root Tea

Ginger has taken a very important place not only in kitchens to be used as a spice but also in medicine because of its strong and spicy aroma. I always take ginger tea to treat my cold and flu. Due to its medicinal properties, it is being used in treating many diseases since ancient times and holds an important place in Ayurveda. Ginger has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that help to fight against infections while providing sore throat relief.

You can also try clove tea, chamomile tea, green tea and peppermint tea for quick sore throat relief.

# Steam Inhalation

It involves the inhalation of water vapours and is one of the most widely used home remedies for sore throat and to soothe and open the nasal passages. The warm, moist air loosens the mucus in the nasal passages and throat and may relieve symptoms of inflamed, swollen blood vessels in your nasal passages. Steam inhalation can help to make you feel a lot better but it is important to learn the best practices so you don’t hurt yourself in the process.

# Stay Hydrated

Keeping yourself hydrated is an important part of treating sore throat. This is because when we are dehydrated, our body doesn’t produce enough saliva and mucus to keep the throat lubricated thereby making the inflammation worse. Try warm drinks such as tea, chicken soup and cold liquids such as ice water and see what works best for you. The liquids help in clearing the mucus membranes and keep the throat moist.