Health & Care Information
Sore throat is a painful feeling in the throat aggravated by swallowing. Sore throat is named, depending on the part where the soreness is, like Pharyngitis, Epiglottitis, Laryngitis, and Tonsillitis. Bacteria or virus causes sore throat, medically known as Pharyngitis.
It is possible that one might experience the symptoms of a sore throat in a lifetime. Itching, scratching, and burning are not easy to bear, especially if they come with other symptoms of a cold or a more serious virus. Sore throats can be the worst if it starts with the scratchy irritation and swallowing is painful too.
A sore throat may be a symptom of an underlying illness like cold, flu, mumps; tonsillitis etc. A sore throat can be the first sign of a cold, a side effect of strained vocal cords, or a sign of something more serious. Sore throat may be due to infections, allergies or smoking. Despite the cause immediate concern while soreness strikes is how to get relief quickly.
Home Remedies for Sore Throat
Here are some effective natural remedies that work when you feel scratchy, hoarse, or just plain sick. To get relief try these instant available home remedies:
Ginger tea
The anti-inflammatory properties of ginger work in treating the inflammation of throat. Ginger tea is an effective soothing remedy for the sore throat and is simple to prepare. Add crushed pieces of ginger in the water and boil it for five minutes, and then prepare the tea as you usually would.
Basil leaves
Medicinally, Basil leaves are antibacterial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, antidepressant, antioxidant, antiseptic, antispasmodic, and carminative, a circulatory stimulant, diaphoretic, digestive, expectorant, and sedative. Basil leaves is an effective home remedy to treat sore throat. Boil tulsi / basil leave in water and drink that water or gargle with that water as it is warm.
Cloves
Cloves have antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that can help relieve and cure a sore throat. Add 2-3 teaspoons of powdered or ground cloves to water, then mix and gargle.
Honey
Honey is used in treating many ailments and it has traditionally been used as a sore-throat remedy due to its antibacterial properties, which can help speed healing. It also acts as a hypertonic osmotic, that is it draws water out of inflamed tissue and reduce the swelling and uneasiness. Add 2-3 teaspoons to 1 cup of hot water or herbal tea to soothe the burning throat.
Steaming
Steam inhaling is an old method for treating sore throat. Heat a pot of water, bend over the pot. Place a towel over your head so as to tent the steam and keep the steam in. Breathe in the steam with your mouth too. Also take safety measures to protect from the hot water and pot.
Chamomile Tea
The chamomile tea helps in alleviating the sore throat by reducing inflammation and throat pain. Take two tea bags of chamomile and steep them in one cup of boiling water. Honey can also be added as a sweetener.
Licorice (Mulethi) Root
Licorice root is anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, anti-bacterial natural remedy. It contains the saponin glycyrrhizin which gives it a sweet taste. It is a main ingredient of many herbal teas due to its expectorant properties. Licorice helps in easing congestion and cough, thereby reducing sore throat.
Licorice tea is a tested reedy for sore throat. To prepare a tea boil a dried licorice root in a water for 5-10 minutes and get best result of it. Licorice root causes low potassium levels and high blood pressure so people with heart diseases must take precaution while consuming Licorice and should not take in a large amount.
Pomegranate tea
The astringent property of pomegranate helps to reduce inflammation and pain. Boil the dried fruit peel and boil in water for 5 minutes. The pomegranate tea relives sore throat well.
Turmeric
Turmeric is commonly used in Ayurvedic medicine for treatment of a sore throat. It is anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, with bone strengthening properties. It is a natural anti septic and its anti bacterial properties make it a popular remedy for sore throat. Mix ¼ teaspoon of turmeric powder into a cup of warm milk, and drink it before going to bed.
Salt
Gargling with warm salt water can help relieve an irritating throat. The salt draws the mucus out of swollen, inflamed tissue and helps reduce the pain. Gargling with saltwater is simple and inexpensive method to cleanse the throat. Add one tea-spoon of salt 8 ounce of warm water. Rinse the mouth with a warm saltwater and then spit out. Don’t swallow the salt, and don’t use too much salt because it may further dry out the sensitive throat membranes.
