Sore throat: 13 natural remedies that help relieve the pain
Sore throat can strike at any time and is caused by many reasons.
Some can be caused by a bacterial infection or strep throat, and some are viral infections.
Either way, sore throats are very contagious, and it’s important to treat the problem as soon as symptoms develop.
Fortunately, there are natural remedies for sore throats that can be used at home and do not require prescription antibiotics to deal with sore throats.
Natural remedies to soothe a sore throat , such as raw honey, Vitamin C , and licorice root , will help relieve discomfort and speed healing.
There are also powerful essential oils for sore throats that can be used internally and topically to slow the growth of bacteria, relieve swelling, and reduce congestion.
Symptoms
Sore throat is any type of inflammatory process of the throat and tonsils that causes pain when swallowing. Sore throat signs and symptoms vary depending on the cause.
Some common sore throat problems include:
- Pain that gets worse when swallowing or talking
- Difficulty swallowing
- A rough feeling in the throat
- Sore, swollen glands in the neck or jaw
- Red and swollen tonsils
- White spots on the tonsils
- Hoarseness
If an infection causes a sore throat , you may develop fever, headache, body aches, cough, runny nose, and nausea.
In healthy people, a strep throat rarely produces serious side effects. It will disappear on its own, usually within a week.
Causes and risk factors
The organisms that cause a sore throat can be bacterial, most commonly streptococci, or viral, typically rhinoviruses.
However, it is difficult to tell the difference between the two types of infections. Viral infections often come with cold or flu symptoms, such as a runny or stuffy nose, sneezing, coughing, mild fever, and fatigue. In adults, viral infections cause 85% to 90% of sore throats.
Sore throat symptoms usually do not include a runny nose or cough.
Instead, look for swollen lymph nodes in the neck, white spots on the tonsils, signs of fever, and sore throat, especially when swallowing.
If you have a sore throat , you may even develop a rash and red patches on the back of your throat.
Children between the ages of 5 and 15 are at higher risk of developing strep throat.
Streptococcus causes about 10 percent of sore throats in adults.
In addition to strep infections, a sore throat can also be a sign of tonsillitis.
Of course, strep can cause tonsillitis, so it could be a combination of issues that lead to a sore throat .
If you have tonsillitis, a tonsillectomy can remove the tonsils.
The same is true of mononucleosis. Mononucleosis can be a contributing factor to a sore throat , often with spots on the tonsils that can look like strep.
It can be difficult to distinguish between streptococcus and mono, so see your doctor to get the proper diagnosis of mononucleosis or streptococcus.
Sometimes a sore throat can be the result of acid reflux or allergies.
With acid reflux, stomach acid rushes up through the esophagus, which can result in throat irritation and pain.
Some other symptoms of acid reflux include dry mouth, difficulty swallowing, hoarseness, regurgitation of acids or food, bitter taste in the mouth, and heartburn.
Certain foods or environmental triggers can cause an allergic reaction, resulting in a sore, irritated throat.
Seasonal allergy symptoms include a scratchy and sore throat , watery eyes, congestion, sneezing, runny nose, and tickling or irritation in the ears.
Other causes of sore throat can include viral throat pharyngitis, post-nasal drip, and cold/flu.
Conventional treatment:
For strep throat, a 10-day course of penicillin is typically prescribed to protect against the complications of rheumatic fever.
Rheumatic fever can occur approximately 20 days after strep infection and cause damage to the heart valves.
However, since rheumatic fever cases have declined dramatically in high-income countries, newer antibiotics taken for a shorter period, typically 3-6 days, have been just as effective.
Research has shown that antibiotics can have a modest beneficial effect, improving sore throat symptoms in 3 to 4 days and reducing the duration of illness by about half a day.
Control groups in studies of antibiotics for sore throat treatment showed that 90% of untreated patients were completely better by the end of the first week, about the same as the proportion of those treated with antibiotics.
Some over-the-counter medications are used to relieve pain associated with a sore throat; this includes acetaminophen and ibuprofen.
Be aware that many over-the-counter products contain acetaminophen, so you should be sure not to take them at the same time.
For example, DayQuil, Tylenol, and Vicks all contain acetaminophen, so combining them increases your risk of acetaminophen overdose. Do not take more than 4,000 milligrams a day.
Decongestant nasal sprays and throat lozenges are also used to relieve throat pain, irritation, and discomfort.
Wondering how to get rid of a sore throat naturally?
Natural remedies to relieve a sore throat
1. Mel Cru:
Raw honey has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties that can help treat respiratory ailments such as a sore throat .
It can naturally soothe the throat and relieve swelling. Other benefits of raw honey include its ability to reduce mucus secretion and coughing, which can be associated with a sore throat.
According to research, honey has an inhibitory effect on about 60 species of bacteria and some species of fungi and viruses.
It also has antioxidant capacity due to a wide variety of compounds, including phenolic compounds, peptides, organic acids and enzymes.
Add raw honey to warm water or tea or mix it with lemon essential oil to create a fast-acting sore throat remedy.
2. Bone broth:
Consuming bone broth will help you stay hydrated as it supports your immune system so you can get well quickly.
Bone broths are nutrient-dense, easy to digest, rich in flavor and enhance healing.
They contain essential minerals that help the body to absorb compounds easily, including calcium, magnesium and phosphorus.
According to University of Nebraska researchers , the amino acids that were produced during chicken broth production reduced inflammation in the respiratory system.
3. Garlic:
Allicin, one of the active ingredients in freshly ground garlic , has a variety of antimicrobial activities.
Pure allicin has been found to have antibacterial activity against a wide range of bacteria, including multidrug resistant E. coli. It also showed antiviral, antifungal and antiparasitic activity.
To use raw garlic as one of your sore throat home remedies , add it to your food throughout the day or take a garlic supplement daily.
4. Water:
Proper hydration is key to flushing the virus or bacteria out of your body and keeping your throat hydrated.
Try to drink at least 236 ml of water every two hours. You can also drink hot water, either plain or with lemon, ginger or honey.
In fact, a 2008 study conducted in the UK found that hot drinks provided immediate and sustained relief from symptoms of the common cold and flu, including a sore throat .
5. Vitamin C:
Vitamin C helps with immune system function and stimulates white blood cells. In addition, studies show that Vitamin C shortens the duration of respiratory symptoms, especially in people exposed to physical stress.
As soon as you develop signs of a sore throat , take 1,000 milligrams of Vitamin C a day and consume foods rich in Vitamin C like grapefruit, kiwi, strawberry, orange, kale, and guava. If eating solid foods is painful, try making a smoothie.
6. Echinacea:
Most of the chemical constituents of this herb are powerful immune system stimulators that can provide significant therapeutic value.
Research conducted at the University of Connecticut suggests that consuming echinacea reduces the chances of catching the common cold by 58% and shortens the duration of the common cold by 1.4 days.
This proves that echinacea has antiviral properties and can help your body fight infections that cause a sore throat .
7. Licorice Root:
Licorice root benefits sore throats or coughs immensely because it is a powerful expectorant, helping to loosen and expel mucus from the throat.
It soothes irritation and reduces inflammation of the tonsils, making licorice an effective throat remedy.
Researchers have also found that licorice root has powerful antiviral and antimicrobial activities.
Many studies have found that various components of this common herb were responsible for these activities through different mechanisms, such as the 20 triterpenoids and about 300 flavonoids present in licorice root.
Flavonoids, especially chalcones, play an important role in treating bacterial infection by decreasing bacterial gene expression, inhibiting bacterial growth and reducing bacterial toxin production.
8. Colloidal:
Colloidal silver has a unique ability to control antibiotic-resistant superbugs.
In fact, studies showed that 650 different disease-causing pathogens were destroyed within minutes when exposed to small amounts of silver. In addition, colloidal silver does not build resistance or immunity in organisms that are killed by it, unlike antibiotic drugs.
The benefits of colloidal silver are also attributed to its antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties.
It is commonly used as a treatment for the common cold and flu, and more serious conditions such as pneumonia.
9. Zinc:
Zinc benefits the immune system and has antiviral effects.
When taken for a minimum of five months, zinc can reduce your risk of getting sick with the common cold, which is associated with a sore throat .
Taking a supplement once you are already feeling sick can speed up the healing process, especially when taken at the first sign of illness.
Research shows that zinc can interfere with the molecular process that causes mucus and bacteria to build up in the nasal passages.
Because of its electrical charge, ionic zinc has the ability to exert an antiviral effect by binding to receptors on nasal epithelial cells and blocking their effects.
10. Probiotics:
Studies show that probiotic supplementation reduces the number of patients who have had one or more upper respiratory tract infections and reduced antibiotic use.
In a 2010 study, 638 children ages 3 to 6 who attended a community preschool or day care center were randomly assigned to receive either a beverage containing the probiotic bacteria Lactobacillus or a matching placebo for 90 days.
The use of probiotics resulted in a reduction in upper respiratory tract infections.
Similar results were seen in another study involving 742 children over one year of age who consumed 100 milliliters of a fermented dairy product, which reduced the incidence of respiratory problems.
11. Sleep well:
Getting adequate sleep is vitally important to overcoming a sore throat ; in fact, losing sleep can be just as bad for your health as eating poorly and not exercising.
Get 9 to 10 hours of sleep until you start to feel good.
According to research, quality sleep is considered important for immunity and susceptibility to the common cold. Nasal drops containing a rhinovirus were administered to 153 healthy men and women.
Participants rated their illness symptoms every day, including sore throat , nasal congestion, chest congestion, sinus pain, and cough.
The data showed that those people with poorer sleep efficiency and shorter sleep duration in the weeks prior to exposure to the rhinovirus had lower disease resistance.
12. Lemon essential oil:
Lemon essential oil has the power to cleanse toxins from any part of the body.
Its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory activity makes it a useful sore throat home remedy .
It is also rich in Vitamin C , which boosts immune function and increases salivation, helping to keep a moist throat.
Just add 1-2 drops of lemon oil to warm water or tea. You can also inhale lemon oil directly from the bottle or put 5-10 drops in a diffuser at home.
13. Eucalyptus essential oil:
Eucalyptus oil is one of the most beneficial throat remedies because of its ability to boost immunity, provide antioxidant protection and improve respiratory circulation.
Research indicates that eucalyptus oil is used as an antiseptic and to relieve symptoms of sore throat , cough, cold, and other infections.
To soothe a sore throat with eucalyptus oil , use with a diffuser. Or use topically by applying 1 to 3 drops to throat and chest.
You can also gargle with eucalyptus oil and water. If you have sensitive skin, use with another oil, such as coconut oil, to dilute the eucalyptus before topical application.
Precautions:
If your child develops severe symptoms, such as difficulty breathing, difficulty swallowing, or unusual drooling (which could mean they are unable to swallow), contact your doctor right away.
For adults, see a doctor if you have a fever greater than 38 degrees Celsius or have difficulty breathing or swallowing.
If your throat symptoms don’t go away after a week, call your doctor.
Final considerations:
Sore throat is any type of inflammatory process of the throat and tonsils that causes pain when swallowing.
The most common symptoms of a sore throat include pain that gets worse when swallowing, swollen glands in the neck or jaw, swollen red tonsils, and white patches on the tonsils.
Conventional sore throat remedies often include antibiotics such as penicillin and over-the-counter pain relievers.
There are supplements, foods, and essential oils that work as natural remedies for sore throats.
Some include echinacea, bone broth, probiotics and lemon essential oil.