Sore Throat Remedies That Work (and What Not to Do)

A sore throat is not considered a serious illness. However, it’s a painful condition that must be prevented and treated in time. Several natural remedies are effective for the management of sore throat symptoms. These natural remedies include medicines prepared from honey, herbs, and salt water. Sometimes the natural remedies do not affect the symptoms of the condition, then you need instant medical care in the form of over-the-counter medications.

A sore throat is usually identified as a painful irritation or itchiness in the throat. This condition makes it difficult to swallow things thus creating a painful condition when you feel discomfort while consuming liquids and foods.

People often do not take it seriously and avoid a doctor’s trip. However, it is a painful condition and prevents peaceful sleeping at night. Natural homemade remedies can help relieve symptoms and soothe irritation and pain. However severe symptoms indicate that you should visit your healthcare provider to take some preventive measures to ease the symptoms.

In this article, you will read about home remedies that can help ease a typical or mild sore throat. But if you are feeling the symptoms are worsening and home remedies are not improving the condition, it’s good to talk to your healthcare professional to discuss the symptom’s severity so that they may tell you about some medications to comfort you.

Home Remedies to Treat Sore Throat Symptoms

Here are some home remedies to lessen the severity of symptoms of sore throat. You can try them for this purpose. Most of these have no side effects.

Take a Rest

Whenever you feel the earlier symptoms of sore throat, try to rest up. Because sore throats usually need a rest to get better. Try to get enough sleep and take it easy. The organization of disease prevention and treatment describes the restlessness or tiring routine that can increase the risk of developing a sore throat infection. According to research, an inflammatory protein called cytokines is overproduced in your body when you lose your sleep and awake for a longer time without taking rest. 

Other studies suggest that you should rest your voice too because overuse of your throat in different activities such as singing, shouting, or speaking loudly can irritate your throat muscles which can lead to a sore throat.

Humidity or Steam

Dry air is another cause of irritation in your throat. Adding moisture to the air you are hailing in, can lessen the risk of getting a sore throat infection. For This, you can inhale steam. Steam brings moisture to your throat and helps ease a sore throat.

Add warm boiling water to an open bowl. Drape a towel on your head to cover the head and face area so that the steam can enter your throat through your mouth and nostrils while inhaling. Then breathe normally and allow the steam to enter your nose and mouth. Practice this for 10 minutes. Keep adding more boiled water to keep it steamy.

You can add moisture to your breathing air by turning the warm water on in the bathroom and taking a shower. But shut the door, thus the bathroom steam up and you can easily inhale humid and warm air.

A humidifier is another effective way to add moisture to the air. However, a recent study notes that humidifier air produced through a humidifier is not good enough for treating the sore throat or common cold.

Gargling with Baking Soda

This practice can be useful for treating a sore throat immediately. Baking soda water is an oral solution that helps prevent the growth of fungi and reduce bacterial production in your throat which leads to relieving the sore throat symptoms. Gargling with baking soda water with a combination of rinsing your mouth with plain water helps you due the infection. Studies show that the major cause of sore throat is viruses while bacterial infections including diphtheria, whooping cough, or strep throat can cause only a small percentage of sore throat.

Gargling with Saltwater

This method can help relieve the severity of sore throat and break down the infectious secretions. It blocks the multiplication of bacteria in your throat to prevent the infection. 

Add half a teaspoon of common salt to a glass of boiled water. Gargling with salt water continuously for three days twice a day can help keep your throat clear from pathogens.

Researchers recommend gargling with salt water once an hour if you have a sore throat.

Honey Tea

Mix a liltle amount of honey in your casual tea and get benefits for relieving the sore throat. It is a common natural remedy to reduce the symptoms.

According to 2018 research findings, honey is the best choice to suppress cough in children. Studies also describe the effects of honey on upper respiratory tract infections. Researchers concluded that honey is a natural antihistamine and antibiotic that can treat sore throats more effectively than any other remedy. However, honey is not suitable for children under the age of one year due to the risk of infant botulism caused by honey.

Fenugreek

Herbal remedies are an effective way to get rid of this condition in no time. A popular herb fenugreek is available in different forms. You can use it in different ways to relieve the sore throat symptoms. It is used in the form of fenugreek tea, fenugreek seeds, and fenugreek oil. Its tea is used all over the world as a common remedy for a sore throat.

A 2019 study reveals that the healing power of fenugreek is stronger than any other herb. This herb can help:

• Promote lactation in mothers.
• Relieve pain caused by menstrual cramps.
• Reduce the growth of bacteria that live in your gut.
• As an anti-fungal medicine.

Researchers suggest that fenugreek herb is not good for pregnant women as it causes some allergies in them. It is not recommended to use it as a supplement for children under age 12.

Marshmallow Roots

This is a type of herb containing a mucus-like substance that soothes your sore throat by coating its inner epithelial walls. It also removes the particles that irritate your throat leading to sore throat. This herb is easily available in different forms, including:

• Capsule form.
• Dried tablets.
• As a tincture.
• As an herbal tea. 

However, the marshmallow products that you use in your desserts do not contain the original marshmallow herb.

Licorice Roots

This herb is also used for treating a sore throat. Studies claim that licorice root tea is an effective home remedy to inhibit the growth of streptococcus pyogenes, which is a causative agent for strep throat. Drinking an herbal infusion of licorice root or gargling with its water before surgery can help reduce the sore throat that occurs after surgery. However, the use of licorice roots in any form is not suitable for pregnancy or nursing.

Slippery ElmThe slippery elm also has mucilage that’s why it makes a slick gel when mixed with water and coats your throat to sooth it. Take its powdered bark, pour boiled water on it, stir it, and drink. Slippery elm lozenges are also available to soothe your sore throat. This is an additional way to treat a sore throat but more research is required to admit its effectiveness for infection treatment. Healthcare providers recommend Slippery Elm to prevent possible drug interactions because it tends to slow down the absorption of some medications. You can take it half an hour before taking a prescribed oral medication.

Garlic

It is a traditional culinary spice that is used to enhance the flavors of cuisine. But It also has strong antibacterial properties as well and contains an important compound that is popular for its tendency to fight against viral infections, including flu, cold, or sore throat. This is an allicin compound that has antiviral characteristics.

Research reveals that garlic supplements help prevent pathogenic respiratory tract infections that may cause sore throat in severe form. You can add fresh garlic to your diet to take advantage of its antimicrobial properties. Suck or chew a clove of garlic to absorb its antiviral essence. However, brushing your teeth is essential after taking garlic in your diet to protect them against the enzymes found in garlic and to freshen your breath by getting rid of its unpleasant odor.

Cayenne Pepper or Hot Sauce

Cayenne pepper is popular for its natural ingredient known as capsaicin which has the amazing property of blocking pain receptors. People often use it as a pain reliever. Medical research suggests that consuming warm water mixed with cayenne pepper helps relieve sore throat pain but more research is needed. You can add a light sprinkle of cayenne pepper to your food or water because it is very hot and causes a burning sensation initially. However, third use is not safe for you, if you have open sores in your mouth.

Soup or Broth

Different soups or broths are recommended to try as an effective remedy for a sore throat. Several respiratory and throat infections are treated with chicken soup. Although you have not heard much about this type of remedy for a sore throat before and no scientific evidence is found in its favor, some old studies are in its favor and support the idea that hot and sour soups can help to relieve sore throat pain and itchiness.

A 200 study suggests that chicken hot and sour soup tends to reduce the migration of certain immune cells from your throat that can contribute to inflammation in your throat. 

Trusted sources of nutrient laboratories have claimed that a specific dose of chicken soup can inhibit the migration of such cells that can help you feel better mentally and speed up the healing procedure.

Sore Throat Treatments for Children and Infants

In children or infants, the sore throat is a serious illness and cannot be ignored as an ordinary infection. But the good thing is these infections indicate an emergency condition. Still, children and infants should be treated on an urgent basis if they have a sore throat.

The following tips can help you to protect your children against this infection:

• Avoid honey use for children less than 12 months because it can cause infant botulism in them.
• Giving lozenges or anything else to children under five years old can be hazardous for them. Such remedial ingredients may pose a choking risk.
• Encourage your children to drink plenty of water throughout the day to keep them hydrated all the time. Don’t let them take a lot of citrus juices or ice pops as these things can cause irritation in their throat.
• Install a cool-mist humidifier in your children’s room as the moist air can relieve their sore throat pain. 

Common OTC Treatment Options

The OTC treatment options can help you if natural home remedies fail to heal the sore throat. You can use:

• Throat Thumbing sprays that mostly contain phenol compounds to relieve a sore throat.
• Throat lozenges or sore throat pops.
• Medicated powders that you stir into warm water and contain Theraflu.
• Eucalyptus is often found as a major ingredient in many cough syrups.
• Acetaminophen that is effective for relieving a sore throat in children as well.
• Ibuprofen is also found in formulations made for children.

What to AvoidAvoid certain factors and foods that can worsen the condition whenever you have a sore throat. In the recovery era, you must avoid these things:

• Air pollution.
• Alcohol.
• Chemical Fumes found in household cleaners
• Acidic drinks and foods, including carbonated beverages or spicy junk foods.
• Dry air.
• Smoking or secondhand smoke.
• Fat foods such as chips, popcorn, or pretzels.
• Potential allergens include pet dander, mold, or pollen.

Conclusion

You are usually recommended to call a doctor only when you feel the severity of symptoms of sore throat. The typical sore throat doesn’t need any medical assistance. It can be handled with ordinary home remedies. But in case of a sore throat with swollen tonsils, rash, or fever you should seek immediate medical care. 

The mentioned home remedies can help your feel better and save you from visiting a doctor. In addition, taking lots of drinks and getting plenty of rest are also effective ways. Remember, always talk to your doctor before using any over-the-counter medication.