With Reflexologist Nuria Weaver
Home Remedies for Sore Throat
Sore throat is usually marked by painful swallowing and dry scratchiness which make it all the more miserable. The medical term for sore throat is pharyngitis. The common cause of is viral infection like flu (influenza) and cold. This can be a symptom of other sickness as well.
It is however seen that sore throat goes away easily and does not require much of medical treatment such as antibiotics until caused by a bacterial infection. The infection is contagious and easily spread from one person to another. Nonetheless, you can always try some safe and beneficial home remedies for sore throat.
Causes of Sore Throat
As said earlier, most of the sore throat is caused due to viral infections and in rare occasion by bacteria.
- Virus which include common cold, mononucleosis (mono) and flu (influenza)
- Other viral ailments include measles, croup and chickenpox.
- Bacterial infections such as strep throat, diphtheria and tonsillitis.
Other Common Causes of Sore Throat:
- Allergies
- Winter season that causes dryness are also common causes of sore throat
- Pollution and irritants
- Muscle strain
- Acid gastroesophageal reflux disease
- HIV infections
- Tumors
Symptoms of Sore Throat
The most common symptoms and signs associated with sore throat are listed below:
- The swollen, scratchy and dry throat
- A pain can be experienced while swallowing
- The symptoms that are commonly associated with viral infection are coughing, sneezing, running nose and body aches.
Symptoms of serious sore throat are listed below:
- A white patch or a pus on the throat and tonsils
- A sore throat that gets worse on its own and occurs frequently
- Inability to swallow
- Skin rash
- Headache
- Severe throat pain
- Swollen tonsils that become red
- High fever
Tests for Sore Throat
- Physical exam conducted by a doctor
- Strep test that checks for the presence of bacteria. This is performed by rubbing a sterile swab over the back of the throat and tonsils.
- Lab test that help to diagnose the infection within few hours.
Home Remedies for Sore Throat using mango bark holy basil leaves and Epsom salt
- The mango bark can clear the sore throat. Prepare a mixture of 10 ml of the extract of mango bark and mix it in a 125 ml of water. Use this mixture to gargle at least once a day.
- One of the effective home remedies for sore throat is the basil leaves. Boil the leaves in water until the water is reduced to half and used it for either drinking or for gargling. This helps in the treatment of sore throat.
- A hot bath prepared from Epsom salt is also effective for the treatment of sore throat.
Home Remedies for Sore Throat using garlic, tea and cinnamon
- Use four cloves of garlic along with a tablespoon of honey. Mix them with 1/8th teaspoon of cayenne properly. Consume this whenever needed. Before swallowing, chew the mixture properly as this helps to reduce the condition and protect the throat from any kind of infections.
- One of the herbal home remedies for sore throat is prepared from a teaspoon or two of dried and powdered chamomile in two cups of water. Allow this mixture to boil for sometime as it helps to treat the infection in the throat.
- Cinnamons are also used for the treatment of sore throat. Take the powdered and dried cinnamon in a glass of water and along with this add a pinch of pepper powder and a teaspoon of honey.Take this mixture to relieve the pain.
- There is another alternative of using the cinnamon oil and honey as well .It helps in the treatment of sore throat.
Home Remedies for Sore Throat using apple cider vinegar and fenugreek seeds
- One of the diets for sore throat can be prepared from a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar, a pinch of cayenne pepper and little of lemon juice along with honey added to a cup of hot water. Stir this properly and drink this to treat sore throat. A dose of four cups of the mixture is excellent for sore throat and is among the effective home remedies for sore throat.
- Fenugreek seeds can also be used in the water for gargling purpose as it helps to treat the infection of sore throat.
Home Remedies for Sore Throat using parsley and tamarind
- Another method used for the treatment of the infection is prepared by first chopping 2 sprigs of parsley, three cloves, a teaspoon of powdered myrrh and a 1/4 part of powdered goldenseal. Add all the ingredients to a pint of water which is boiled and drink this as tea or stir them and use for gargling and also mouthwash.
- Another beneficial treatment for sore throat is tamarind. You can use tamarind water for gargle purpose or prepare an infusion from dried leaves or bark of tamarind and use it for gargling purpose that treats the infection. This is one of the good old home remedies for sore throat.
Home Remedies for Sore Throat using honey and salt
- Honey is an excellent treatment for sore throat. The honey coats the throat which reduces the soreness and the associated cough. In addition to this honey has an antibacterial and antiseptic property that heals the sore throat quickly.
- Salt can also be used for the treatment of sore throat. For this you simply need to add a teaspoon of the salt in a cup of warm water. Use this 3-4 times a day for gargling purpose. The salt reduces the pain by drawing out the fluid that cause the inflammation and swelling.
Apart from all the home remedies for sore throat, a good and well-balanced diet will ensure a strong immune system and protect the body from any kind of sore throat infections.
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