Sore Throat Home Remedies

Sore Throat

Sore throat means the inflammation of
the pharynx (back of the throat). It occurs normally when a person
has a cold or an attack of influenza. The main indication of a sore
throat is pain when swallowing and sometimes a burning sensation and
tightness in the throat. A sore throat usually occurs as a result of
an infection that has its own additional symptoms. For example, if
your sore throat is caused by a cold, you may also have coughing,
fever, sneezing, body aches or a runny nose. Other causes include
breathing through the mouth, sinus drainage, post antibiotic
treatment, post chemotherapy, or other immune-compromising
medications etc. A sore throat lasting for more than two weeks can
be a sign of a serious illness.

Home Remedies for Sore Throat

Before visiting any doctor for sore
throat treatment, you can try some easy home remedies. There are
numerous options available to deal with this uncomfortable condition.
Here are a few to get you started:

Cinnamon: Cinnamon is considered as an
effective remedy for a sore throat resulting from a cold. Take some
water and add one teaspoon of roughly powdered cinnamon. Boil the
water, add a pinch of pepper powder, and two teaspoons of honey. Have
this once or twice a day.

Fenugreek Seeds: Prepare a gargle made
from fenugreek seeds. Take two tablespoons of fenugreek seeds in a
litre of cold water and let it simmer for 30 minutes over a low
flame. This should then be allowed to cool to a bearable temperature,
strained, and then used totally as a gargle.

Henna: A decoction of the henna leaves
can be used as a gargle for this reason.

Holy Basil: The leaves of holy basil
have also been found effective in curing sore throat. Water boiled
with basil leaves can be used as a drink, and also used as a gargle
to relieve a sore throat.

Liquorice: Liquorice is a well-known
home remedy for sore throat. Chew a small piece of raw liquorice or
suck it for few minutes. The healing property of the herb soothes
inflammation quickly.

Sage: Sage is also helpful for a sore
throat. Half a litre of boiling water must be poured on a handful of
sage leaves. When fairly cool, add a little vinegar and honey
according to taste. This mixture can be used as a gargle.

Tea Decoction: A decoction made from
tea leaves is very helpful in the sore throat treatment. This
decoction, mixed with a little bit of salt, should be used as a
gargle. It can be used two or three times daily for acquiring relief.

Tamarind: Tamarind water must be used
as a gargle.

Baking soda and salt gargle: mix 1/2 a
teaspoon each of baking soda and salt with 1/2 a cup of warm water
and gargle a few times each day.

Mix 2 tablespoons of sesame (til)
oil and one tbsp of honey. Take one spoon three times a day.

Garlic is also known to relieve a sore
throat as it is a natural antiseptic. It can be eaten as well as
consumed in tea.