Sore Throat

Sore throat or pharyngitis is the result of inflammation of the mucus membrane lining the pharynx. The inflammation is caused due to viral and bacterial infections, dry air, smoking, allergies, pollution, certain illness, over usage of the throat, etc.

However, sore throat is a common problem suffered by everyone in their lifetime. Instead of making an appointment with your doctor, just try some natural remedies like honey which helps to cure this painful and uncomfortable health problem.

Honey is an amazing gift given by mother’s nature that widely used by many of the natural doctors in curing their patient’s health, including sore throat and cough. It alleviates the pain and thus depends upon the cause for sore throat, it will give possible and quick cure from the problem.

Do you want to know about the evidence that suggests how honey works for sore throat? Then continue reading to find out its excellent properties.

• It has antibacterial and antiseptic properties that fight against the infection causing virus or bacteria and thus speed up the healing process.
• It works as hypertonic osmotic that draws the excess water (or fluid) out of inflamed tissue to reduce pain and swelling.
• It has anti – inflammatory properties that lessen the swelling and inflammation. It also soothes any irritation caused within the internal glands and mucus membranes inside the throat.
• Glucose – oxidase is an enzyme present in honey that works effectively to eradicate the infections which are caused by bacteria, virus or fungus.
• It coats and soothes the throat and relieves you from the soreness caused by sore throat.

Honey works in numerous ways to combat a sore throat. You can consume it alone or mixed with other natural ingredients to get rid of sore throat. Below are 4 best ways that explain how to use honey for sore throat relief quickly.

Method – 1: (Honey)

Using honey alone is very effective in soothing the affected tissues and clears mucus.

Steps to be followed…

• Add 1 – 2 tablespoons of honey in 1 cup of warm water.
• Stir it well and drink this mix to relieve from soreness in the throat.
• Consuming this honey drink for several times a day till you got complete relief from the problem along with its symptoms.

Note:

• For more effective results, add few drops of fresh lemon juice in this honey water before drinking.
• Or simply consume 1 teaspoon of raw honey once in morning and once at night before bed time for getting soothing relief.
• Alternatively, mix 2 – 3 teaspoons in 1 cup of warm water and use this solution to gargle for 2 – 3 times daily.
• Also, add honey to a warm cup of your favorite herbal tea or a glass of warm milk and drink it to get relief.

Method – 2: (Honey Paste with Turmeric)

Turmeric has antibiotic and anti – inflammatory properties that kill the bacteria or virus causing sore throat and also relieves you from the pain. This combination gives a quick soothing relief from sore throat.

Steps to be followed…

• Add 1/4 teaspoon of turmeric powder to 1 teaspoon of raw honey.
• Stir it well to make it as fine paste.
• Swallow this paste for several times in a day until your sore throat problem has gone completely.

Method – 3: (Honey with Ginger)

Both honey and ginger have anti-bacterial, antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties that prevent infection and soothes the throat.

Steps to be followed…

• Mix 1 teaspoon each of raw honey and fresh ginger juice.
• Stir it well and consume this mix slowly.
• Drinking several times a day on regular basis will definitely help you in preventing sore throat.

Note: You can add an equal part of lemon juice in honey – ginger mix and consume it for quick relief.

Method – 4: (Honey with Lemon)

This process not only gives relief from sore throat but also from cold and cough to prevent the irritation on the throat along with its recurrence.

Steps to be followed…

• Cut a lemon into half and boil the halves for 3 minutes.
• Allow it to cool for few minutes till it reaches room temperature.
• Then squeeze it to extract its juice in a container.
• Add 1 cup of raw honey in the lemon juice and stir it well.
• Let it sit for 30 – 45 minutes to get settle down and take 2 tablespoons of this mix for every 4 hours.
• Repeat the process regularly to cure sore throat caused due to cough.

Tips and Warning:

1. Always use raw, organic and unfiltered honey for treating sore throat. Manuka honey is an excellent choice, so if it is available to you, then use manuka honey rather than normal one.
2. You can also mix other natural ingredients like cinnamon (powder or oil), apple cider vinegar, garlic, milk, cayenne pepper, etc. in honey and have it to heal sore throat.
3. Always remember that honey should not be given to children under 1 year (1 ½ years), as it causes some serious health problems in them.
4. Healthy and strong immunity is one of the best preventive steps for any health problem, including sore throat. So, eat healthy and well-balanced diet, get enough of sleep along with some regular exercises to prevent the problem now and then.
5. Consult your doctor, if the sore throat lasts for more than 4 – 5 days for immediate treatment.

Next time when you suffer with sore throat, simply try these honey methods to feel better. Also, let me know which method works well for curing your sore throat.

Sore throat or pharyngitis is a painful, scratchy or irritation of the throat that often worsens when you swallow. Some of the major causes are viral, bacterial or fungal infections, irritants, allergies, dry air, etc. This condition is often accompanied by cold, cough, swollen glands in the neck, headache, etc.

However it is a painful and uncomfortable situation but don’t panic, as there are many natural remedies available at home which can alleviate the pain and cures the problem effectively. Salt water gargle is one among the best natural remedies which is an age old and most popular remedy for treating throat and respiratory problems.

Here are some of the benefits which we get from doing salt water gargle for clearing sore throat.

• It reduces the swelling in the throat and loosens thick mucus which in turn helps to flush out the irritants or bacteria causing sore throat.
• It draws water (excess fluid called edema) out from the swollen tissues in the throat which in turn cuts phlegm and reduces the inflammation in the throat to give instant relief.
• It helps to increase the blood flow to carry infection – fighting cells to the throat for recovery fast.
• Salt has anti-microbial property that washes away the germs in the throat. It neutralizes the acids in the throat and also restores the natural pH balance that disrupted by sore throat.
• Osmosis occurs due to this salt water gargle in which the solvents get separated by a semi-permeable membrane that moves from low concentration to high concentration to achieve equilibrium and thus creates a salty and dehydrated environment that causes less hospitable and potentially dangerous for bacteria to live or grow.
• Regular using of this process not only helps to destroy the bacteria but also prevents it from growing (if left or gets resistant to salt). It also clears the symptoms and problems like bad breath which are associated with sore throat.

Now, here we are presenting you on how to do salt water gargle for sore throat in step by step process.

Method: (Salt Water Gargle)

• Add 1 teaspoon of salt in 1 cup of warm water.
• Stir it well till the salt dissolves completely in water.
• Pour some of this water in your mouth and start gargle for 30 – 45 seconds.
• Be sure to hold your head in backwards, seeing in the upper direction.
• Do not swallow the mix and spit the water out after gargling.
• Continue doing the same process at least 4 times a day for 2 – 3 days to get relief from sore throat and other throat or respiratory problems.

Note:

• You can add some raw honey, fresh lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, baking soda, etc. in this salt water and use to gargle for several times a day.
• Alternatively, you can prepare a throat spray using salt water. Simply mix 1/2 teaspoon of salt and 2 – 3 drops of any essential oils (menthol, eucalyptus or sage essential oil) in 1/4 cup of warm water. Pour this solution in an empty spray bottle. Spray this mix whenever your throat feels itchy or sore by opening your mouth wide to get soothing effect on the throat.

Tips and Precautions:

1. Always prefer warm water for gargle why because salt can be more soluble in warmer water rather than normal water.
2. If you swallow a bit of water while gargling, then stop worrying and just drink a glass of water after completing the gargle process. Also, wash your mouth when once you’re finished.
3. Always remember that the water used for gargle should be comfortably warm but not hot, or else it burns your throat and worsen the situation.
4. If you didn’t get any relief from sore throat after using salt water gargle for 1 – 2 days, then it can be a sign of strep throat or check with your doctor for treatment to know the reason and treatment.
5. Other than salt water gargle, avoid drinking hot drinks, stay hydrated with 8 – 10 glasses of liquids per day, consume soft foods (like mashed potatoes, plain pasta, steamed fruits and vegetables), etc. for getting quick relief from sore throat.

Start doing salt water gargle from next time when you suffers with sore throat. Let me know how it worked for relieving your sore throat by sharing your experience.

Sore throat is painful, it can be caused by many things like inflammation of pharynx which is a tube that extends from back of the mouth to esophagus. Also it may occur if you are suffering with Cold, flu, cough or certain illness or if you exposure to some irritants like cigarette smoke or pollution.

To treat sore throat natural remedies is the best way, one of the most effective ancient natural remedy to treat sore throat is lemon.

Here are some of the lemon properties that cure this painful and uncomfortable problem in your throat.

• The citric acid in lemon will break up the mucus causing sore throat and it also soothes the throat from pain and inflammation.
• The antiseptic properties in lemon will kill the bacteria or virus in the throat.
• The Vitamin C and antioxidant property in lemon will help to clear the soreness in your throat and boost immune system.
• The astringent property of lemon helps create an unpleasant environment for germs.
• Lemon will increases the salivation to thin the moistens or lubricates a irritated throat.

Don’t know how to use lemon for sore throat? Then follow these simple lemon recipes to get rid of sore throat.

Method– 1: Lemon Juice Gargle

There is nothing to beat a lemon juice gargle for getting fast and effective relief from sore throat or any other respiratory problems.

What You Need

• Lemon – 1/2
• Warm water – 1/2 cup
• Tiny bowl

Steps to be followed

• Take a tiny bowl squeeze juice from lemon and dilute it in warm water.
• Add salt in the bowl and stir it well to mix properly.
• Use this mix to gargle for few minutes.
• Be sure to spit out the gargle mix.
• Rinse your mouth with water.
• Do this gargling for 2 – 3 times daily until you cleared sore throat along with its symptoms.

Method – 2: Lemon + Honey

Lemon thins mucus and kills the bacteria causing sore throat, honey coats and soothes the throat tissue and hot water relaxes the throat muscles. So, this combinational process will definitely help in your sore throat prevention.

What You Need

• Lemons – 2
• Organic honey – 1 teaspoon
• Hot water – 1 cup
• Tiny bowl

Steps to be followed

• Take a bowl with water add lemon juice extracted from lemons in it.
• Stir it well by adding 1 teaspoon of organic honey.
• Sip this warm drink slowly to get relief from sore throat.
• Regular intake of this drink will help to cure sore throat along with other respiratory problems.

Note:

• Or simply mix lemon juice directly in some raw honey and consume it to prevent the swollen throat.
• Pour some honey in 1/2 a lemon and lick it slowly by extracting lemon juice.

Method – 3: Lemon + Sea Salt

Sea salt will help to treat the sore throat when you do gargling several times a day.

What You Need

• Sea salt – 1 teaspoon
• Lemon – 3
• Honey – 3 teaspoons
• Black pepper – 1 teaspoon
• Warm water – 1 glass

Steps To Be Followed

• Take a glass of water add lemon juice extracted from lemons.
• Also add sea salt, honey and black pepper in it.
• Stir it well to mix properly.
• Use this mix to gargle for few minutes.
• Wash your month with water.
• Repeat the same process two to three times in a day to get rid from cough and throat pain

Method – 4: Lemon + Ginger

Honey soothes the sore throat and ginger will helps to remove the toxins from your body by sweat to get relief from flu or cold. When combine lemon, ginger and honey it is more effective.

What You Need

• Boiled water – 1 cup
• Grated ginger – 3 teaspoons
• Lemon – 1
• Honey – 3 teaspoons

Steps To Be Followed

• Take a cup of hot water add ginger in it.
• Soak it for 2 to 3 minutes.
• Add honey and freshly extracted lemon juice from lemon.
• Stir it well to mix properly.
• Drink the tea once a day regularly.

Method – 5: Lemon + Honey Tea

Drinking lemon tea or adding lemon in your herbal teas will help to soothe sore throat.

What You Need

• Hot water – 1 mug
• Lemon – 1
• Honey – 2 teaspoons

Steps to be followed

• Pour hot water into a mug.
• Add honey and lemon juice extracted from lemon in mug.
• Stir well till all these ingredients are mixed well.
• Drink this lemon honey tea regularly to prevent pain, cough and other discomforts caused due to sore throat.

Method 7 : Lemon + Whisky

The alcohol content in whisky helps to soothe the sore throat. When you combine it with lemon it give more better results.

What You Need

• Whisky – 1 tablespoon
• Lemon juice – 1/2
• Honey – 2 teaspoons
• Warm water – 1 cup

Steps To Be Followed

• Take a cup of warm water add lemon juice extracted from half lemon.
• Add whisky and honey in it.
• Stir well to mix properly.
• Consume it once a day to prevent sore throat.

Method 7 : Lemon + Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar has anti bacterial properties which fights with infections and helps to get rid of soar throat.

What You Need

• Apple cider vinegar – 1 tablespoon
• Lemon – 1
• Honey – 1 teaspoon
• Warm water – 1 cup

Steps To Be Followed

• Take a cup of warm water add apple cider vinegar.
• Also add honey and lemon juice extracted from lemon.
• Stir it well to mix properly.
• Drink the mix.
• Repeat the same process two to three times a day to treat sore throat.

Method 8: Lemon + Cinnamon Tea

Cinnamon contains antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal and anti inflammation properties which helps to cure inflammation and reduce the pain caused by sore throat.

What You Need

• Lemon – 1
• Cinnamon stick – 1 inch
• Cinnamon powder – 1 teaspoon
• Honey – 1 teaspoon
• Boiling water – 1 cup

Steps To Be Followed

• Take a cup of hot water add 1 cinnamon stick and cinnamon powder.
• Now boil on low flame for 5 minutes and then remove the flame.
• Now leave it for 10 minutes to cool down.
• Add honey and lemon juice extracted from lemon.
• Continue the same process regularly twice a day to get relief from sore throat.

Questions & Answers

How long does it take a sore throat to go away?

It depends up on the cause of sore throat, usually sore throat cased by viral infections last for 5 to 7 days and if it is caused by bacteria it last for 2 to 3 days after you start taking treatment.

What to not eat when you have sore throat?

Foods that are hard to swallow and which irritates your throat like coffee, alcohol, raw vegetables, dry snack foods and acidic foods.

When should you go to the doctor for a sore throat?

In many cases you can cure sore throat with home methods, but if it is severe sore throat and has high fever which lasts more than 3 days then it is better to consult a doctor.

Tips and Precautions:

1. Include lemon in your daily diet like eating 2 – 3 slices of lemon, lemonade, lemon teas, etc. frequently and regularly for 2 – 4 days till you cleared the soreness in your throat.
2. Always prefer to use fresh lemon rather than store brought for preventing the problem without any side effects.
3. Especially pregnant women before trying any of the above methods, try to consult a doctor.
4. Lemon oil is rich in vitamin C, because it is taken from the skin of lemon. Also it has anti inflammatory and anti bacterial properties which help to treat the sore throat.
5. If your sore throat last more than three days try to consult doctor.

Lemon for sore throat is a sure way to prevent sore throat. All you have to do is to follow these lemon methods regularly. Also, feel free to tell us which one worked well for curing your sore throat.

Sore throat is not a serious health problem but it serves as a major warning signal that you’re about to hit with cold, flu, cough or strep throat by affecting your throat initially. Apart from these, dry air, allergies, environmental pollutants, excessive usage of throat, etc. can also cause sore throat.

It can attack the people of any age during the cold seasons. However there are lots of over the counter medications that treat aching throats but the usage of natural remedies at home will give long lasting results without any side effects.

Apple cider vinegar is a surefire natural remedy for sore throat. It has multitude of properties that make it as an excellent remedy for many health and skin problems. Now you’re about to know how apple cider vinegar relieves the pain, tightness and burning sensation in the throat.

• It acts as a natural expectorant that loosens and thins the phlegm in the throat which in turn makes you easier to breathe and swallow.
• It has antibacterial, antiseptic and antimicrobial properties that fight against the infections causing sore throat.
• It is acidic in nature and thus provides an acidic coating on the throat in which the germs can’t survive in that situation.
• It balances the pH levels of the throat tissues as per our body needs to cure the soreness in your throat. It also cut down the phlegm from the throat and clears the mucus to reduce soreness.
• Raw cider vinegar has prebiotic inulin that increases the number of white blood cells and T cells which further used to boost up the immune system.

After knowing the properties, hope you’re having curious to try the cider vinegar for sore throat. So, here we are presenting you the 3 best and proved apple cider vinegar remedies for treating sore throat along with its symptoms.

Method – 1: (Apple Cider Vinegar Tonic with Honey)

Apple cider vinegar balances the pH levels of the throat and honey soothes the irritated throat tissues. This combination gives an effective and quick relief from the problem.

Steps to be followed…

• Add 1 tablespoon each of apple cider vinegar and honey in 1 cup of warm water.
• Stir it well and sip it slowly while it is warm.
• Drinking this tonic for 3 – 4 times a day on regular basis will cure soreness in throat within 2 – 3 days.

Note:

• Or combine 1/4 cup each of organic apple cider vinegar and raw honey in a bowl. Consume 1 tablespoon of this mix for every four hours until you cleared the problem.
• Alternatively, stir 1 – 2 teaspoons of apple cider vinegar to 1 cup of warm water and sip it gradually for 2 – 3 times daily till you cleared the soreness in throat.
• Or add 1 teaspoon of lemon juice in this honey – vinegar tonic and sip it slowly.

Method – 2: (Apple Cider Vinegar Gargle)

Salt used in this process clears the mucus membrane and this gargle will flush out the toxins or infections causing aching throat.

Steps to be followed…

• Mix 1 tablespoon of raw apple cider vinegar and 1 teaspoon of salt in 1 glass of warm water.
• Stir well and pour this mix in your mouth and start gargling for few minutes.
• Be sure to spit out the mix after gargle.
• Do the same process for several times a day till you get rid of sore throat caused due to bad cough.

Note:

• Or prepare a gargle mix by adding 3/8 cup vinegar, 1 teaspoon sage, 1/4 cup brown sugar, 1/2 teaspoon alum in 1/8 cup of water and gargle to get rid of aching throat and eases swollen or painful nasal passages.
• Alternatively, mix 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar in 1/2 cup of warm water and use this mix to gargle for once in 2 hours. You can also swallow the gargle after completing 3 times. Mix the gargle as strong as you want.
• Also, mix 1 teaspoon each of apple cider vinegar and cayenne pepper and 3 tablespoons of clover honey in a glass of warm water. Gargle as often as possible to clear the aching in your throat.

Method – 3: (Apple Cider Vinegar with Ginger, Cayenne Pepper and Honey)

This is another effective remedy as all these ingredients are best for treating sore throat caused due to bacterial or viral infections.

Steps to be followed…

• Add 2 tablespoons each of apple cider vinegar, honey and water in a glass jar.
• Then add 1/2 teaspoon of cayenne pepper and ginger paste in it.
• Stir it well and leave it for few minutes.
• Consume this mix to soothe the throat and refrigerate the remaining mix.
• Repeat the same whenever you suffer from sore throat.

Tips and Warnings:

1. Always use raw, organic, unfiltered and unpasteurized apple cider vinegar with mother in it, for curing any health problem including sore throat.
2. Be sure to drink water after each gargle to remove the vinegar for preventing the damage caused to teeth and tongue.
3. Try a small swallow of apple cider vinegar (without mixing with anything) and if you didn’t observe any side effects, then continue to sip straight vinegar solution for 3 – 4 times a day. Drink water to flush out the system after each dose.
4. Other than using apple cider vinegar, you have to eat a healthy, well-balanced diet along with hot teas, coffee, soups during the season, etc. can stop the recurrence of sore throat.

That’s all for now. Start using these apple cider vinegar methods and let me know which one works well in treating your problem.