5 natural remedies for sore throat: they really help!
Sore throat usually presents with symptoms such as difficulty swallowing, red throat, and swollen mucous membranes, often heralding a cold. All of this could be caused by viruses and accompanied by "bacterial inflammation."
For a mild sore throat, home remedies, such as compresses and the consumption of certain foods, can have a calming effect. We will tell you the 5 most effective!
Before we reveal them to you, however, we give you some advice: no matter which natural remedy for sore throat you choose, the important thing is that you drink enough. This will moisten your irritated mucous membranes, which is essential for the cure of colds and sore throats. Hydration also relieves pain and that sense of dryness that one feels due to inflammation.
1. Honey as a natural remedy for sore throat
Honey is a real all-rounder. This natural product has been used as a remedy since ancient times and has always been a popular cure for sore throats. There are numerous studies on the positive properties of honey. For example, it is even said to have a positive effect on wound healing. Combined with hot drinks such as tea, honey effectively relieves sore throats.
But not only. Research has shown that honey also relieves coughs and is just as effective against nocturnal cough attacks as a commercially available drug or syrup.
Tip: In order not to affect the health properties of honey, the tea should be allowed to cool a little after brewing. Only then can honey be mixed.
By the way, if you have a sore throat, it is best not to drink milk, because it can further stimulate the formation of mucus and swell the mucous membranes.
See also
Extra tip for those who travel or are often away from home: consume 2-3 honey candies a day. They relieve sore throats naturally and help in case of a sore voice.
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2. Hot drinks as an ally against sore throats
Hot drinks are known to be good for sore throats. Here, too, it is worth relying on the healing effects of herbs such as sage and chamomile. Chamomile, for example, is effective against inflammation and cramps. Sage, on the other hand, contains essential oils and properties with an anti-inflammatory effect. Furthermore, sage has an active effect against pathogens and promotes the decongestion of the inflamed area.
Both herbs are beneficial in any case - even combined together. Consumed as a hot herbal tea with some honey or as a rinse for gargling, the affected mucous membrane in the throat and pharynx is moistened and pathogens are removed.
Ginger cannot be missing from this list, a true all-rounder for home care and an excellent natural remedy for sore throats. When the root of ginger is heated, its active constituent called "gingerol" is released, effective against inflammation of the throat and beyond. In fact, it can also dissolve mucus in the bronchi and sinuses in case of a cold.
For a cup of ginger water, cut a few thin slices of ginger, pour boiling water over them and let them sit. The longer the ginger stays in the water, the spicier the taste becomes. If you want, you can also add fresh lemon or honey.
3. Healing herbs for sore throat
Mallow flowers and leaves soothe and protect irritated mucous membranes. There are tablets to dissolve under the tongue with mallow extract or you can opt for dried mallow, for an infusion of tea against sore throats (you can find it on Amazon for € 9.99)
Other aromatic plants, such as sage, have an anti-inflammatory effect, while some flowers, such as chamomile, have an antispasmodic effect. In general, the healing herbs soothe the irritated mucous membranes of a sore throat and are available at the pharmacy or herbalist's shop as tea or lozenges. Another way to take on their beneficial properties is to gargle with a cold herbal tea based on these aromatic herbs, perfect for soothing a sore throat.
Finally, other good home remedies for sore throats are Iceland moss or the often underestimated lemon balm root. These medicinal herbs are also available both as herbal tea and as lozenges.
4. Gargling with salt water relieves inflammation
Gargling with salt water can soothe a sore throat and fight pathogens. To do this, simply dissolve half a teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water and gargle about every three hours, rinsing the mouth well and the throat. This home remedy for sore throat is very inexpensive and works because it moistens the mucous membranes and has an antibacterial effect.
As well as salt water, a bicarbonate-based mixture is also recommended. To prepare it, add a quarter of a teaspoon of baking soda and a quarter of salt to a glass of hot water. Once loose, gargle calmly.
5. Warm compresses on the neck against sore throats
Hot, moist neck wraps can relieve pain from the outside. For example, you can soak a towel or kitchen towel in warm tea brew, squeeze it, and wrap it around your neck.
If you want, you can also boil the potatoes and, without peeling them, wrap them in a cloth to always place around the neck. Potatoes, in fact, can store heat for longer, thus maintaining the placebo effect on the inflamed area for a longer period. By doing so, it will soothe a sore throat and also relieve cough.
Finally, there are special wheat pillows that can always be placed around the neck, once heated in the oven or microwave.
Sore throat: when to go to the doctor?
At the pharmacy you can buy many dried herbs and also get advice on dosage and usage. If your sore throat symptoms do not improve after three or four days, or if a fever appears and your lymph nodes appear swollen, you should definitely consult a doctor.
Warning: infants and people with asthma should not be treated with strong remedies based on certain essences such as sage, mint or eucalyptus.
For more information on sore throats, consult the Humanitas website.
