Sore Throat Remedy
You’d been rehearsing that speech for long and what do you get stuck with on the penultimate day? Of all the things sore throat! This misery is known only too well by all. The raw, burning sensation in the throat can be sheer agony, but the good news is it generally subsides on its own in a few days. So, before running off to the drugstore to buy the medical syrup you’d seen advertised, consider home remedies for sore throat. That’s what your grandma’s been using successfully.
Cause of sore throat
A sore throat usually indicates the presence of an inflammation in the region of the back of the tongue and the voice box.
More often than not, it’s an indication of a cold, flu or a viral or bacterial infection. However, it’s possible that the tickling sensation in your throat is simply a reaction to dry indoor air, smoke, pollution, chemicals or allergies. Whatever it may be, the fact is sore throat symptoms can make life miserable and its over-the-counter medicines, even more so!
Sore throat remedies
The natural remedies for sore throat had been with you for generations. They’re the time tested sore throat cures that usually help lessen the symptoms and speed up healing. Let’s see what they are:
a. Garlic: Raw garlic is an effective treatment for sore throat, because of allicin. This pungent smelling compound has antibiotic and antifungal properties that are effective against sore throat. For clearing up the symptoms, eat two or more cloves daily. If pungent raw garlic is too much to take, bake or stir-fry them. Even garlic supplements are available.
b. Tea: A special tea concoction used as a gargle is quite effective for sore throat. To make it, take one to two teaspoons of the dried herb, available in most health food stores, and pour boiling water over them. Steep for ten minutes and then strain to remove the herb. Use it as a gargle after cooling.
c. Sage: This plant with strong smelling leaves is used as a herb in cooking. These leaves are made into an effective gargle to get rid of sore throat. To make it, chop two teaspoons of fresh leaves and pour boiling water over them. Steep for ten minutes and then strain to remove the leaves. Use it as a gargle after cooling.
a. Juice: Natural anti-inflammatory agents are found in ginger and pineapple that speed up the healing of a sore throat. This can be had as a cocktail. To make it, take three pineapple rings and a quarter-inch piece of fresh ginger and juice them.
b. Vitamin C: Taking 10,000 milligrams a day of vitamin C at the first sign, can help prevent the infection and speed up the healing process. However, drink plenty of water to flush away excess nutrients.
c. Ayurveda: This age old Indian science of holistic healing recommends salt and turmeric treatment. Mix half-a-teaspoon of salt and one teaspoon of turmeric into a cup of hot water and gargle before going to bed. Your sore throat will disappear.
d. Homeopathy: Homeopathic drugs like Belladonna, Lycopodium and Lachesis have proved effective against various kinds of sore throats.
f. Aromatherapy: To speed up the healing of a sore throat, apply a thin film of carrier oil externally over the throat area. Canola, sunflower, grapeseed and safflower are popular choices.
e. Other therapies: Reflexology and hydrotherapy are also known to work for sore throat. In reflexology, the throat reflex points on the feet are worked upon. In hydrotherapy, sucking on a paste of activated charcoal powder and cold water, for as long as it lasts is said to heal sore throat.
Natural remedies for sore throat are effective, but if they fail to have any improvement in the condition of your throat within a few days, go see a physician.
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