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Some links in this article are affiliate links. We may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through these links, at no extra cost to you. We only recommend products we find useful to our readersScratchy throat? Constant Irritation? Encountering Pain Swallowing? A sore throat is a condition that might not necessarily impose unprecedented repercussions on one’s health; it sure does affect one’s quality of life. If you have been consistently experiencing the condition as a side effect of cold and cough, the home remedies for a sore throat can come in handy.
Even more so, it is often regarded worse than the consequences one would face because of the normal fever. The constant combination of itchiness, pain as well as irritation sure does take a toll on the affected individual.
If you have been looking for an effective cure for a sore throat, go no further because we have the best and the most effective remedies for a sore throat that will wipe out its existence from the roots of it.
What is a Sore Throat?
Sore Throat is a condition characterized by the persistent presence of scratchy throat and irritation, pain and inflammation in the throat. The symptoms primarily are often clubbed with that of irritation, itching as well as pain and inflammation. For the most part, the throat pain is the primary symptom of sore throat.
Yet another factor that is often witnessed with sore throat is the fact that it becomes a lot hard and painful while swallowing food, mainly because of the inflammation in the throat. Majority of the times, a sore throat is often the common side effect of cold and cough and is not something over the top serious that requires frequent doctor consultation. But the combined symptoms often tend to impose a very uncomfortable and painful few days for the individual till it’s completely cured.
Home Remedies for Sore Throat
Check Out These Natural Remedies For Sore Throat
1. Apple Cider Vinegar for Sore Throat
The antimicrobial properties (R) of the vinegar have important benefits in actually curing any kind of infection that could be the reason behind the worsening condition of a sore throat.
What To Do?
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- Mix 1 tablespoon of Apple Cider Vinegar to a glass of warm water
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- Add 1 teaspoon of honey to it and mix it through
- Drink this 1-2 times a day
How Often?
- 1-2 times daily
[Read More How to use Apple Cider Vinegar for Sore Throat]
2. Salt Water Gargle for Sore Throat
Salt Water Gargle is a very effective remedy as a cure for a sore throat because of the fact that the water does not just help hydrate but the salt is effective in a multiple number of ways.
The salt in it is beneficial in breaking down any excess secretions of mucus and also projects effective antimicrobial properties (R) which are amazing to fight off any kind of infection growth in the throat.
What To Do?
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- Mix ½ tablespoon of salt to a glass of lukewarm water
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- Stir and mix till all the salt dissolves completely
- Gargle with the lukewarm water till you run out
How Often?
- Every three hours daily
3. Baking Soda Gargle for Sore Throat
Apart from the traditional salt water gargle, even the baking soda gargle has beneficial impacts as a sore throat remedy. The pH balancing properties along with the effective antibacterial properties (R) cumulatively help in getting rid of the signs and symptoms associated with the condition.
Not just that, this particular remedy is also very beneficial in arresting the growth and proliferation of the microbes like yeast and fungi.
What To Do?
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- To a glass of warm water, add a 1/4th tablespoon of baking soda and ½ tablespoon of salt and mix
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- Mix till everything is dissolved completely
- Gargle with this, making sure that every time the liquid stays in the oral cavity for 20 seconds
How Often?
- Every three hours in the day
4. Honey for Sore Throat
Not just that, honey also has mild antimicrobial properties (R) which gets rid of any impending infection in the throat and cures it from getting worse.
[Read more Raw Honey for Sore Throat]
What To Do?
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- Consume 1 tablespoon of raw honey with crushed holy basil leaves for relief
- Alternatively, if the taste of overwhelming, add 1 tablespoon of honey to any warm beverage (preferably tea) and drink that
How Often?
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- Raw honey – once or twice daily
- Mixed with any tea – 2-3 times daily
5. Ginger for Sore Throat
A conducted study (R) even highlighted the beneficial impacts of ginger extract on aiding in the cure of bacterial growth concerning the respiratory tract infections.
What To Do?
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- Boil some water in a pot
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- Steep a ginger tea bag in a cup of hot water and let it steep for 5-10 minutes
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- Add 1 teaspoon of honey to the concoction
- Enjoy this drink warm
How Often?
- 2-3 times daily till the symptoms subside
6. Marshmallow Root for Sore Throat
The Marshmallow root is yet another one of the home remedies for sore throat that works like magic. This is very beneficial in getting rid of the irritation and scratchiness (R) of the throat that we experience mostly.
The root contains a gelatin like substance which is known as the mucilage that helps in coating the entire inner lining of the throat and provides relief from sore throat. Experts have administered marshmallow root lozenges (R) on animals and the results have come out positive, even in higher dosage (without any kind of side effects).
What To Do?
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- Fill a pot with 1 liter of cold water
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- In cheesecloth, add 1 ounce of the marshmallow root and tie it into a bundle
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- Tie one end of the cheesecloth to the lid and then lower the bundle into the water till it’s completely submerged
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- Shut the lid tightly and let everything infuse overnight
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- In the morning, get rid of the cheesecloth and drink the concoction in small amounts throughout the day
- If it tastes too bland, add a sweetener of your choice
How Often?
- Multiple times throughout the day
7. Lemon and Honey for Sore Throat
The combination of lemon and honey has profound impacts in treating sore throat and getting rid of it gradually and effectively.
While lemon is loaded with Vitamin C and antioxidants which boosts your saliva production (R), the honey helps in soothing the itchiness and irritation (R).
The combination of the both helps in keeping the throat moist and hydrated and the combined antimicrobial benefits (R) (R) of the both also helps arrest the further proliferation of the infection (if any).
What To Do?
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- Mix 1 teaspoon of honey and juice of one lemon to a glass of warm water
- Drink this in small sips throughout the day
How Often?
Multiple times throughout the day
8. Cayenne Pepper for Sore Throat
This can be used to gargle or even just as a drink and the amazing properties help relieve the itchiness and irritation caused because of the sore throat.
What To Do?
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- For the gargle, mix 1 teaspoon of cayenne pepper powder to a glass of warm water. Gargle with this once or twice daily
- You can even add ½ teaspoon of cayenne pepper to your tea and drink that to get relief
How Often?
Depending on the method, 1-2 times daily
9. Licorice Roots for Sore Throat
Licorice roots, which are primarily native to Europe and South Asia, are one of the best home remedies for sore throat. It is primarily because of the fact that it has aspirin like properties which is beneficial in treating the pain (R) that accompanies a sore throat.
Research (R) has also pointed out that the licorice root as sore throat remedy is the most effective when its gargled with.
Not just that, the licorice root is also loaded with antiviral and antibacterial (R) properties which help in getting rid of throat infection that could be behind the sore throat.
What To Do?
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- Steep some licorice roots in a pot of boiling water
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- Let it boil and steep for 10-15 minutes
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- Let it come down to a lukewarm temperature and then gargle with it
- Store the excess and reheat it later for gargling again
How Often?
2-3 times daily for effective results
Side note: Study has shown that consumption of licorice root is strictly not suggested for pregnant or breastfeeding mothers. So, stay clear off of it if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
10. Lemon Water for Sore Throat
Lemon Water is not just effective for weight loss but has impactful benefits as being one of the remedies for sore throat.
The Vitamin C, as well as the antioxidant properties (R) in the lemon, is what helps in prohibiting the spreading of the infection and even boosts the production of saliva (R) which keeps the throat moist and hydrated which is beneficial in relieving the scratchiness and pain in the throat.
The lemon water also keeps the body hydrates and fights off the excess free radicals in the body which helps boost the immunity.
What To Do?
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- To a glass of warm water, pour the juice of one lemon
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- Add 1 teaspoon of honey to the mixture and mix everything
- Drink this warm for soothing the sore throat
How Often?
2-3 times daily
11. Green Tea for Sore Throat
Green tea as a cure for sore throat is more than just curing the associated signs and symptoms. It actually does help in getting rid of the sore throat by boosting the overall well being of an individual and by boosting the immunity (R) from within.
The wide range of bioflavonoids as well as antioxidants (R) help in getting rid of the excess and unwanted free radicals in the body which, in turn, help in boosting the overall immunity of the body that prevents any kind of viral attacks in the first place.
What To Do?
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- To a cup of hot water, add a green tea bag
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- Let it steep for 5 minutes
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- Add a dash of lemon juice
- Drink this warm
How Often?
2-3 cups daily
12. Coconut Oil for Sore Throat
The inclusion of coconut oil in this aspect in not really something someone would generally expect, right? But, this specific ingredient has a multifaceted impact in treating the condition of a sore throat.
Studies have shown that coconut oil is not just beneficial for relieving the pain (R) associated with sore throat, it also fights any form of inflammation (R) and is also beneficial in fighting the infection in the throat.
The rich fatty acids in the coconut oil also help keep the throat moisturized and relieve the consistent irritation.
What To Do?
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- Melt 1 teaspoon of edible coconut oil and swallow it, ensuring it gradually travels down the throat
- Alternatively, you can also add 1 teaspoon of coconut oil to soups and broths and enjoy that
How Often?
1-2 times in any form daily
13. Cinnamon for Sore Throat
Cinnamon for treating cold and the associated symptoms has been in the works since history. Thus, there is no doubt that the same will be beneficial as a sore throat remedy.
It has combined antioxidant (R) as well as effective antibacterial properties (R) which aid in keeping the spreading of infection to a bare minimum. Not just that, the antioxidant property helps boost the immunity which is exactly what helps relieve sore throat effectively.
What To Do?
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- Mix 1 teaspoon of cinnamon powder to a glass of warm water
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- Add 1 teaspoon of honey to it and mix well
- Drink this concoction 1-2 times daily
How Often?
1-2 times daily
14. Peppermint Tea for Sore Throat
The menthol in the peppermint helps in thinning down the mucus layer and prevents in excess secretion of the mucus (R) which often worsens the condition of the sore throat. Apart from that, peppermint is also believed to possess effective antimicrobial properties which could further contribute to the healing process.
What To Do?
-
- To a cup of hot water, steep one peppermint tea bag
-
- Let it sit in the warm water for 5 minutes
- Drink this for effective results
How Often?
1-2 times daily
15. Sage and Echinacea for Sore Throat
The combination of sage and Echinacea has profound impacts in treating the sore throat. Sage is known for its amazing qualities in different forms of cooking, but the medicinal properties of it are just as good.
Sage is known to possess anti-inflammatory properties along with essential properties that help in treating the throat pain and discomfort. Studies have even shown and proved the same.
Not just that, even a conducted study (R) showed the enhanced benefits of treating the sore throat when the sage and Echinacea was used as a combination. Echinacea has beneficial antibacterial as well as anti-inflammatory (R) properties which act as an amazing cure for sore throat.
What To Do?
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- In an air tight bottle, add 1 tablespoon of chopped sage leaves and 1 tablespoon of Echinacea powder
- Boil some water in a pot and add that water to the spray bottle
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- Let it steep for 30-40 minutes
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- Strain the liquid after it has steeped completely
- Pour it into a spray bottle and spray that on your throat every 2 hours for effective results
How Often?
Every 2 hours
16. Chicken Soup for Sore Throat
The jam packed nutrition in a bowl of chicken soup also helps in getting rid of the weakness that is often subjected to when one suffers from cold and cough and sore throat.
Even study has supported this claim and it is thus a scientifically proven sore throat remedy. Sneak in some garlic which has antimicrobial properties that keep the possibilities of infection at bay.
What To Do?
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- Boil some chicken with vegetables and seasoning
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- Add some garlic too and braise everything for 30-40 minutes till everything comes
-
- ogether
- Consume this as part of your meals and that should help treat sore throat
How Often?
- 1-2 bowls of soup daily
17. Chamomile Tea for Sore Throat
Apart from the tea, study (R) has even shown that the subsequent inhalation of the steam of chamomile helps relieve the signs and symptoms of cold, including sore throat. It boosts one’s immunity (R) too which helps fight off the invading infection.
What To Do?
-
- Steep a chamomile tea bag in a cup of hot water
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- Let it steep for 5 minutes
- Drink this while it’s warm
How Often?
2-3 cups daily
18. Herbal Lozenges for Sore Throat
If you tired and done with the other boring and bland remedies for sore throat, try and switch the taste up with some herbal lozenges. These sweet treats are not just soothing for sore throat but tastes just as good, which is an added bonus.
You can either purchase them from shops or online or the same can even be made at home.
19. Slippery Elm for Sore Throat
Yet another one of the home remedies for sore throat is slippery elm (R). Don’t get deterred by the name because this is very effective in treating the condition. Much like the marshmallow root, even this has mucus like substance in it which helps in coating the inside of the throat and prevents the consistent scratchy feeling.
What To Do?
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- Boil some water in a pot
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- To 1 tablespoon of slippery elm powder, add some water to make a smooth runny mixture
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- Drink this
- Alternatively, you can often find slippery elm lozenges in the market too and pop one in your mouth
How Often?
For the solution, drink once a day
20. Garlic for Sore Throat
Garlic is an amazing remedy for sore throat, primarily because of the antibacterial properties that are found in the active compound of it. Allicin, which is the active compound in the garlic, is loaded with antimicrobial properties (R) which help in keeping the growth of any form of infection to a minimum.
Not just that, garlic is also beneficial for boosting one’s overall immunity (R).
What To Do?
-
- Consume 1 clove of garlic every day in the morning
- Alternatively, you can even increase the addition of garlic in your day to day diet
How Often?
Day to day diet
What Causes a Sore Throat?
Now, when it comes to tracing the reasons behind sore throat, the possibilities are ample and profound. It is necessary to ensure that you know the salient and common causes behind sore throat to be able to administer the salient remedies accordingly.
In this section, we are going to focus on the common causes behind sore throat.
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- Common Signs of Cold
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- Dry Air
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- Smoke
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- Chemicals and Other forms of Irritants
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- Injury
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- Gastroesophageal reflux disease
- Tumour in the throat
Symptoms of Sore Throat
Now that we have walked ourselves through the common remedies of sore throat along with the common causes affecting the condition, it is now time to walk ourselves through the symptoms that syndicate that one is actually suffering from sore throat.
Some of the most vividly witnessed symptoms of sore throat include:
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- Scratchiness and irritation at the back of the throat
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- Burning feeling
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- Dryness in and around the throat
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- Tenderness
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- Itchiness
- Mucus deposition
Sore throat is a very common condition that prevails more or less in every other person anytime throughout the entirety of the year. While the condition is not that dauntingly serious, the implications of this is definitely something that can leave you uncomfortable throughout the day which is why it is best to opt for the home remedies for sore throat for effective and quick relief.