10 natural remedies for sore throats

10 natural remedies for sore throats

A sore throat is one of the most common reasons people go to the doctor, and it affects children the most. (Source 1, Source 2)
A sore throat is usually viewed as a minor complaint until it causes pain when swallowing - pain that can seem unbearable. Unfortunately, the only option is to treat the symptoms and rest until you recover. Fortunately, there are many natural remedies that can relieve a sore throat, and there's a good chance you already have many of them in your home.

Common causes of sore throats

There are many possible causes of a sore throat, viruses being the most common. In fact, viruses account for about 95 percent of sore throats. (Source)
Common causes of a sore throat include: (Source 1, Source 2)

• Allergien
• Trockene Luft
• Verschmutzung
• Rauchen
• Exposition gegenüber Menschen mit Halsschmerzen
• Kalt
• Grippe
• Halsentzündung (bakteriell)
• Mandelentzündung
• Schwaches Immunsystem
• Saurer Rückfluss

Common sore throat symptoms

Isn't a sore throat really a symptom itself? Yes, but as you probably already know, not all sore throats are the same and some are more severe than others. You may have one that makes your voice just a little hoarse, or it can seriously affect your ability to breathe comfortably. Some of the most common symptoms of a sore throat include: (Source)

• Schmerzen beim Schlucken
• Schluckbeschwerden
• Trockener und juckender Hals
• Geschwollene Drüsen um Hals und Rachen
• Heisere Stimme

A sore throat is also a first symptom of cold and flu. However, you may also have other symptoms such as fever, runny nose, congestion, headache, stomach pain, or vomiting. Consult your trusted doctor if your sore throat lasts more than a week.

Best remedies for sore throats

Many home remedies can relieve a sore throat.

1. Drink warm liquids

If you have a cold, make sure you drink plenty of fluids. Nothing feels better than warm tea and thin soup when you're sick. If your throat is raw and inflamed, drinking warm beverages will keep your throat moist and comfortable. Black tea may be the obvious choice, but give green tea a chance.

2. Gargle salt water

For quick relief from a sore throat, gargle 8 ounces of warm water with half a teaspoon of salt. You may have heard of this practice before and dismissed it as an old wives' tale, but it works and many people swear by it. (Source)

3. Use a humidifier

If there's anything that can make a sore throat worse, it's harsh, dry air. Use a humidifier to add moisture to the air around you. In one study, using a humidifier reduced the severity of sore throats. (Source)
If you experience other symptoms such as upper respiratory congestion, try adding an essential oil such as eucalyptus oil to the humidifier to loosen and remove excess mucus.

4. Raw honey and black cumin oil

Honey may not be suitable for vegans. However, honey does offer many benefits. Add a teaspoon of raw honey to your tea or take a spoonful by mouth to soothe your sore throat. As an added bonus, honey significantly improves cough symptoms. (Source)

You can infuse your honey with therapeutic spice by adding two to three drops of black seed oil to your honey. Black cumin oil, like herbal teas, has an anti-inflammatory effect and can relieve pain. (Source 1, Source 2)

5. Cold food

Drinking or eating something cold will relieve an irritated throat almost immediately. Instead of ice creams, opt for whole fruit sorbet or make your own fruit ice cream to soothe the irritation.

6. Herbal tea

Many types of herbal tea are effective in relieving sore throats. Chamomile, lavender, echinacea, sage, ginger, peppermint and licorice root tea have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Peppermint, in particular, relieves upper respiratory tract congestion by improving lung function and the ability to breathe through the nose. If you need to add some sweetener, stir a teaspoon of honey or elderberry into your herbal tea. (Source 1, Source 2, Source 3, Source 4, Source 5, Source 6)

7. Essential oils: lavender, eucalyptus and myrrh

Myrrh and eucalyptus are effective in relieving sore throats, but do not take them as a tea. Instead, breathe in the fumes using a diffuser or humidifier. You can also gargle with myrrh like a mouthwash. (Source)

Apply a drop or two of food-grade lavender oil, specifically and exclusively from the Lavandula angustifolia Type, apply to your tongue or throat to relieve the pain of a dry, scratchy throat. The taste is not overpowering and the only side effect is fresh, floral-smelling breath.

8. Spices: Cayenne, turmeric, ginger and clove

Cayenne seems counterintuitive for a sore throat, but after the burn it helps by numbing the pain. To do this, add a tablespoon of cayenne pepper to a quarter cup of warm water. Mix in the cayenne pepper completely, take a sip, tilt your head back and gargle. If you can't handle a lot of seasoning, this may not be the best solution. (Source)

Turmeric and ginger both have a long history as medicinal plants. Drinking ginger juice relieves a sore throat. You can also make a tea with fresh ginger. Turmeric contains curcumin, which is very calming. You can do a turmeric gargle to soothe a sore throat, just like cayenne pepper, but without the sting.

Making clove tea calms inflammation and relieves the discomfort associated with a sore throat. (Source 1, Source 2)

9. Propolis

Propolis offers several health benefits, especially for those suffering from an upper respiratory tract infection. If you've never heard of it, propolis is made up of plant material, beeswax and bee saliva. It is useful against most types of harmful organisms, even the flu virus. Take it by adding five drops of propolis to a teaspoon of water. (Source 1, Source 2)

10. Honey & Elderberry

Honey with elderberry is my favorite combination. Elderberry reduces the severity of cold and flu symptoms and may shorten the duration of illness. Add some elderberry syrup to your honey and stir it into your tea or simply take it by mouth. If you use fresh elderberries, make sure you cook them thoroughly. Raw elderberries are not safe to eat. (Source)

How to prevent a sore throat

The best strategy is to avoid a sore throat. Reduce your chances by washing your hands and limiting exposure to sick people. Avoid smoking and secondhand smoke as these can irritate your throat. (Source 1, Source 2)