4 Natural Remedies For Soothing a Sore Throat
It can cause problems when speaking, keep you awake at night and make swallowing agony.
When you have a sore throat the first thing on your mind is finding the problem, relieving the pain and preventing it from coming back.
There are a number of reasons you may have a sore throat.
It could be an infection or virus, it could be related to allergies or even caused by dehydration.
Asthma and bronchitis are also possibilities.
Before we get into remedies, let me give you a list of what to look out for...
when you need to see the doctor.
If you: - See blisters or white patches in your throat - Have a fever with it that lasts longer than two or three days - Have a productive cough along with it.
- It lasts more than a week - Are a child with a barking cough - Notice peeling inside your mouth, on cheeks, tongue or gums Those really do require a doctor, and may mean medications.
That doesn't necessarily preclude the use of these home remedies, but they should be discussed with the doctor to prevent any interactions.
1) Gargle: There are a number of liquids you can gargle to help reduce the pain.
Warm salt water is most often recommended for its healing properties, though it tastes nasty.
Be very careful not to swallow it, as it can make you nauseous.
Listerine may also be useful, but don't use it if there are blisters or peeling involved.
It will sting like anything if you do.
2) Honey and Lemon: Mix equal parts honey and lemon, then swallow a tablespoon of it.
The lemon will help cut any post nasal drip while the honey coats the throat.
This can be repeated as needed.
Don't give this remedy to children two and younger, as they can have bad reactions to the honey.
3) Licorice Root: You can get dried root bark at a health food store or look for DGL tablets where supplements are sold.
Both will coat painful areas, though the tablets taste horrible.
If you are diabetic, the DGL may be the only type you can use.
If you have high blood pressure, avoid this herb as it can cause it to spike.
4) Marshmallow Root: While it isn't as strong as licorice, marshmallow can perform the same function.
It has the benefit of being useful for those who cannot take licorice.
Bear in mind that this is not the confection found in the supermarket.
While it was once made from the sap of marshmallow, it is now made from high fructose corn syrup.
It's important that you don't take any medications at the same time as these last two.
The coating goes on to the stomach and intestines, and can block absorption.
Sore throats are painful, but the pain can be stopped.
Hopefully the remedies above will provide you some relief the next time you get one.
When you have a sore throat the first thing on your mind is finding the problem, relieving the pain and preventing it from coming back.
There are a number of reasons you may have a sore throat.
It could be an infection or virus, it could be related to allergies or even caused by dehydration.
Asthma and bronchitis are also possibilities.
Before we get into remedies, let me give you a list of what to look out for...
when you need to see the doctor.
If you: - See blisters or white patches in your throat - Have a fever with it that lasts longer than two or three days - Have a productive cough along with it.
- It lasts more than a week - Are a child with a barking cough - Notice peeling inside your mouth, on cheeks, tongue or gums Those really do require a doctor, and may mean medications.
That doesn't necessarily preclude the use of these home remedies, but they should be discussed with the doctor to prevent any interactions.
1) Gargle: There are a number of liquids you can gargle to help reduce the pain.
Warm salt water is most often recommended for its healing properties, though it tastes nasty.
Be very careful not to swallow it, as it can make you nauseous.
Listerine may also be useful, but don't use it if there are blisters or peeling involved.
It will sting like anything if you do.
2) Honey and Lemon: Mix equal parts honey and lemon, then swallow a tablespoon of it.
The lemon will help cut any post nasal drip while the honey coats the throat.
This can be repeated as needed.
Don't give this remedy to children two and younger, as they can have bad reactions to the honey.
3) Licorice Root: You can get dried root bark at a health food store or look for DGL tablets where supplements are sold.
Both will coat painful areas, though the tablets taste horrible.
If you are diabetic, the DGL may be the only type you can use.
If you have high blood pressure, avoid this herb as it can cause it to spike.
4) Marshmallow Root: While it isn't as strong as licorice, marshmallow can perform the same function.
It has the benefit of being useful for those who cannot take licorice.
Bear in mind that this is not the confection found in the supermarket.
While it was once made from the sap of marshmallow, it is now made from high fructose corn syrup.
It's important that you don't take any medications at the same time as these last two.
The coating goes on to the stomach and intestines, and can block absorption.
Sore throats are painful, but the pain can be stopped.
Hopefully the remedies above will provide you some relief the next time you get one.
