8 Home Remedies for a Sore Throat

8 Home Remedies for a Sore Throat

A sore throat is one of the most annoying symptoms of any cold or flu.

Medicines like Panadol and other cold and flu treatments often do not do a thing to help ease the pain of a sore throat, which is why many people turn to home remedies for help.

If your throat is dry, itchy and sore, making eating, talking and swallowing a nightmare, then try some of these tried and tested home remedies.

Here are some Home Remedies for a Sore Throat:

1. Raspberry Tea

One of the best ways to rid a sore throat is to gargle. Many people recommend gargling with salt water but raspberry tea is a much better and more effective option. Use the dried tea leaves and steep for ten minutes before straining. Wait until the mixture cools before you gargle. It’s not advisable to drink this tea if you are pregnant.

2. Sage, Vinegar and Honey

Another good gargling mixture is sage (steeped for ten minutes then strained) mixed with a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar and honey. Follow the same steps as above and gargle a few times a day.

3. Mouthwash 

If you are all out of herbs and tea leaves, then head into your bathroom and grab the bottle of mouthwash. The commercial mouthwashes are not only a bad breath killer but can also aid in soothing a sore throat.

4. Turmeric and Salt

Salt water mixed with warm water gargle has been used to cure a sore throat for years and years. My dad still swears by this method every time he gets a sore throat. However, for an even more effective option, add turmeric to the mixture as well. Add ½ teaspoon of turmeric and ½ teaspoon of salt to a 1 cup of hot water. Just make sure you don’t swallow the mixture.

5. Honey and Vinegar

Here’s one you can enjoy as a warm cuppa. Mix 1 tablespoon of honey, 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar and 1 cup of hot water. Stir together and drink slowly to soothe a sore throat.

6. Horseradish and Honey

Have some horseradish lying around the house? Mix up 1 tablespoon of pure horseradish or horseradish root with 1 teaspoon each of honey and of ground cloves. Add the mixture to hot water and drink (if you can stomach it).

7. Lemon or Lime Juices

Sprinkle some lemon or lime juice into a glass of warm water (and add some honey too!). Both of these citrusy drinks can calm down a sore throat.

8. Hard Lollies

You finally have an excuse to suck on hard lollies! Hard lollies will keep your throat moisturised and help make the swallowing process a little more bearable. Try barley sugars, or go for something like butter menthols or soothers (you can find them at the supermarket).

What other home remedies for a sore throat do you know?

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If you become concerned about any symptoms, please seek immediate medical attention. We have some hotlines and suggested websites for further information and advice.

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