Coughs and sore throats, whether seasonal or not, can be painful and irritating. A sore throat can be caused by viruses, smoking or sometimes bacteria.
You can easily treat them yourself through natural remedies. But, if the sore throat persists, one should visit the pharmacist and take paracetamol, ibuprofen or medicated lozenges and anesthetic sprays. If the condition is prolonged, visiting the GP would be a good idea.
However, most cases do not require an urgent visit to the doctor. And, waiting for them to go away on their own while sucking on lozenges can be unbearable, which is where the following natural concoctions for pain relief, and even complete cure, come into play.
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Home Remedies For Sore Throat
Following are some natural and effective home remedies for sore throat that you can try:
1- Salt and Water
Salt pulls water out of the throat tissues and reduces swelling that accompanies a sore throat. To 1 cup of water (as hot as tolerable), add ¼ teaspoon of salt, with 1 tablespoon of Listerine, if possible, to help relieve burning sensations in the throat and heal the mucus membranes, and gargle hourly.
You can also mix ¼ teaspoon gargling baking soda and 1/8 teaspoon of salt into 1 cup of warm water to eradicate bacteria and prevent fungal and yeast growth in the throat.
2- Lemon and Water
High Vitamin C and antioxidant contents, saliva producing properties, and their ability to shrink swollen throat tissues make lemons an ideal remedy for sore throats. Drink a mixture of 1 teaspoon lemon juice in 1 cup of warm water daily for a curing and soothing effect.
For another effective lemon gargle, Pour ½ a cup of water over 1 teaspoon of powdered ginger, mix in 1 teaspoon of honey along with the juice of 1/2 a squeezed lemon, and gargle daily until infection recedes.
3- Turmeric
Turmeric is one of the most commonly used medicinal spice. It was first used by ancient people living in the Sub-continent and it is still known as the Golden Spice of life because of its anti-inflammatory and healing properties.
To take maximum advantage of the numerous antioxidant, antiviral and antibacterial properties of this traditional spice in relieving a sore throat and chest, add ½ a teaspoon of turmeric and ½ a teaspoon of salt to 1 cup of hot water, mix and gargle daily.
Alternatively, boil 1 teaspoon of turmeric powder, 1 teaspoon of black pepper and some cinnamon stick in ½ a cup of water for 2-3 minutes, add 1 tablespoon of honey and drink daily. For dry coughs, drink a daily mixture of 1 teaspoon turmeric powder in warm milk.
4- Peppermint
The menthol present in this famous breath freshener effectively eliminates throat soreness and dry coughs by helping to thin the accumulated mucus. You can either drink a peppermint tea daily by steeping fresh peppermint leaves in boiling water and straining them off after 3-5 minutes, or apply a mixture of 5 drops peppermint oil in olive, almond or coconut oil to ease a sore throat.
5- Coconut Oil
It is generally advised that one should avoid fatty foods if one wants to have a clear throat. Coconut oil thus seems like an odd choice when it comes to listing down natural remedies for sore throat. The reality is that the coconut oil is rich in fats but healthy fats which do not stick to the lining of the lyranx and thus does not enhance the impact of a sore throat.
Aside from an efficient hair fall remedy, coconut oil also lubricates and soothes a sore throat, along with being an active infection-fighter due to its anti-inflammatory properties. You can either drink 1 spoonful of the oil as is, or add it into your regular tea, hot cocoa or soup. However, due to its laxative effects, the daily recommended amount should not exceed 2 tablespoons.
6- Cinnamon
Research shows that cinnamon has antibacterial properties which makes the spice good against bacteria that cause oral infections.
Favored in oriental medicine for treating coughs and colds, this fragrant spice can be added to either herbal or black tea, or warm almond milk to take advantage of its antioxidant and antibacterial properties.
To make cinnamon almond milk, mix ½ a teaspoon of cinnamon powder and 1/8 teaspoon of baking soda in a saucepan, dissolving them into 1 cup almond milk. Heat the mixture until it begins to simmer, and then drink.
7- Grapes
Eating sweet grapes or drinking fresh grape juice regularly scrapes off mucus, the common cough-causing culprit, from the throat and other parts of the respiratory system. Additionally, 1 tablespoon of honey mixed into 1 glass of grape juice will magnify the healing properties of both grapes, and honey.
8- Clove and Water
This is yet another natural ingredient that not only soothes, but also heals a sore throat. Mix 1-3 teaspoons of powdered or ground cloves in 1 cup of hot water and gargle. Like salt and water, clove water can be used multiple times a day until the infection is healed.
While these remedies are an effective treatment, a persistent sore throat and coughing fits that disrupt your sleep could indicate strep throat, tonsillitis or other throat and respiratory infections.
Contact your doctor or book an appointment with a top ENT Specialist in in Rawalpindi, Multan and Lahore, through oladoc.com. Or call our helpline at 042-3890-0939 for assistance to find the RIGHT Doctor for your throat-related issues.
