10 Natural Sore Throat Remedies
Instead of reaching from your medicine cabinet, give these natural sore throat remedies a try. These might work great for you!
Natural Sore Throat Remedies You Can Try
Anyone who has ever experienced a sore throat can attest that they are a real pain – both physically and dealing with the resulting voice loss and coughing. Luckily, the most highly recommended treatments for a sore throat are natural remedies.
Although you may experience temporary relief from OTC pain medications and cough syrups, you’ll want to bring the sore throat to an end by addressing the inflammation and swelling in your throat.
You’ll recognize some of these natural sore throat remedies from your childhood, but some may be new to you. In addition to trying these medicinal approaches, you’ll also want to soothe your throat with lots of hot liquids like tea, soup, and broth.
1. Gargling with Salt Water
Old Faithful! Gargling with warm salt water for 30 seconds each hour will reduce swelling in your throat while killing germs.
2. Raw Honey
Not to be confused with processed and pasteurized honey found in all grocery stores, raw honey is full of beneficial antioxidants.
In addition to being a delicious sweetener, raw honey can soothe a sore throat just as effectively as cough syrup! Take 1-2 tablespoons as needed.
3. Apple Cider Vinegar
Hailed for its bacteria-fighting properties, apple cider vinegar is a welcome addition to your daily vitamin regimen. But when you have a sore throat, mix apple cider vinegar with warm water (and a little raw honey, if you’d like) and drink several times each day.
4. Echinacea
Echinacea has regained popularity in fighting the common cold, specifically targeting inflammation and killing bacteria.
When combined with sage and boiling water, you can create your own throat spray at home that is just as effective as store-bought versions.
5. Lemon Water
Cold lemon water is full of health benefits on any given day. But hot lemon water can specifically help soothe your sore throat – especially if you add a little raw honey to the mix.
The vitamin C and antioxidants in the lemon will help to heal your throat faster.
6. Marshmallow Root
Marshmallow root has been used for centuries to treat sore throat and flu symptoms.
You can use the actual root to create a tea or infusion to drink throughout the day to lubricate your throat.
7. Licorice Root
Add another medicinal root to your shopping list! Licorice root tea and gargling with licorice water will both ease the pain of your sore throat, thanks to its aspirin-like properties.
Gargling with licorice water can help you stop a sore throat from developing if you feel a cold coming on.
8. Coconut Oil
Coconut oil has tons of health benefits, so it should come as no surprise that it can heal your throat, too!
The oil will both lubricate your throat and fight infection and can easily be added to tea or soup, or consumed on its own. Just be careful not to eat more than 2 tablespoons each day so you don’t experience a laxative effect.
9. Ginger Root Tea
Fresh ginger, when grated and steeped into a tea, has been proven to kill bacteria in your throat.
10. Cinnamon Tea
Cinnamon isn’t just delicious – it’s been used as a remedy in Eastern medicine for centuries. Drinking cinnamon tea, or added cinnamon to tea, will help fight infection.
When fighting a sore throat, stay hydrated! Drink plenty of liquids to help lubricate your throat. Hot options like teas and soups are the best choice; choose from the teas above to pack the most beneficial punch. You’ll be back to full strength in no time.
What’s your go-to sore throat natural remedy? We’d love to know in the comments section!
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