Natural Sore Throat Remedies
Sore throats are upper respiratory tract infections that are usually caused by viruses but occasionally by bacteria. A sore throat often accompanies a cold or the flu, lasts for about three days, and may cause a mild fever. Natural remedies treat the infection and soothe the inflammation.
Garlic with cayenne
Cayenne will temporarily relieve the pain of a sore throat. Make a gargle of half a cup (125 ml) of warm water, one tablespoon of salt, and a dash of powdered cayenne. Gargle several times a day.
Fight viruses with garlic
Garlic is a powerful ally for your immune system and is excellent for fighting the viruses that cause most sore throats. Eat two cloves of raw garlic daily at the first inkling of a sore throat. Chop finely and add to hot miso or chicken soup just before serving. The heat of the soup will also temporarily soothe your throat.
Boost immunity
Echinacea stimulates your immune system to overcome the infection. Elderberry prevents the virus from replicating. Take half a teaspoon of Echinacea extract and one teaspoon of Echinacea extract and one teaspoon of elderberry extract three times a day in a quarter of a cup (60 ml) of warm water.
Soothe pain with marshmallow tea
Marshmallow contains a water-soluble fiber that soothes irritated tissues. Ginger and peppermint both help relieve inflammation.
1 cup (250 ml) water
1 teaspoon marshmallow root
1 teaspoon chopped fresh ginger root
1 teaspoon dried peppermint
Simmer the marshmallow root and ginger root for five minutes in water in a covered pot. Remove from the heat, add peppermint, cover and steep for an additional 10 minutes. Strain, sweeten if desired, and drink as often as needed.
Garlic to encourage healing
A warm gargle made from sage tea and sea salt eases sore throat pain and promotes healing. Sage contains astringent compounds that relieve pain temporarily, and sea salt has mildly antiseptic properties
1 cup (250 ml) boiling water
2 teaspoons dried sage
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
Pour the water over the sage, cover and steep for 10 minutes. Strain, add sea salt, and gargle with the warm solution several times a day.
