A sore throat can make one’s life so miserable. The constant pain in our throat makes it impossible to eat or drink properly. Our favorite food suddenly seems so out of reach as we get restricted to a liquid diet.But wait, don’t pop that pill yet. It is really not required. An ailment as common as a sore throat shouldn’t really require active medication. There are several tried and tested home remedies followed by generations down the line, which are very effective against this very common but unavoidable irritant.
Below we list some of these home remedies which have a very good record against the common flu and its accompanying symptoms.
1. Saltwater Gargles
This is by far, the commonest and most effective treatment against a sore throat. Do this the first thing in the morning as soon as you get up. Take some hot water. Add some salt and gargle for a few minutes. Continue this process every 2 hours. It will considerably ease your discomfort.
Raspberry leaf tea makes for a great gargle. Steep 2 teaspoon raspberry leaf in warm water and then use it as a gargle. Similarly, you can dissolve half a teaspoon of baking soda in warm water and gargle.
Cayenne pepper is another of those substances which provide fast relief from an irritable throat. Simply add a few teaspoon of cayenne pepper to warm water and gargle this spicy concoction at frequent intervals. You will get substantial relief from your pain.
Turmeric, a wonder herb, has strong anti-bacterial properties. Just add half a teaspoon of turmeric and salt to a glass of warm water. Gargle with this mixture at regular intervals.
2. Honey
Honey is well-known as an antibacterial agent. It also provides relief against a sore throat. Have 2-3 tablespoon of honey a day to relieve the pain in your throat. It gently coats the inner lining of the throat thereby preventing throat irritation. Additionally, you can add a teaspoon of honey to warm water or tea. You can make lemonade at home by adding a few drops of honey to warm water and lemon juice.
Before going to bed, take a spoonful of honey. You will definitely sleep better.
3. Take plenty of Fluids
When we are in a dehydrated state, our mouth produces less saliva which means more throat irritation. It is important to remain hydrated when one has flu symptoms. When one has flu, one must take fluids at regular intervals to keep the throat lubricated. Water serves the purpose. If you are tired of taking warm water, then you could as well have juices or soups.
4. Ginger Tea
Sipping on hot drinks, especially when one has flu proves to be very relaxing and soothing to the throat. Not in the mood for warm water, why not have tea instead? Tea contains antioxidants which boost the body’s immunity. Therefore, have as many cups of tea as you wish. Add a spoonful of honey or a piece of ginger to your tea to make it more effective.
Ginger is known to have anti-histamine properties. Ginger infused tea serves as a perfect antidote to flu. Shave off a few pieces of ginger and put them in boiling water. Add tea to it and prepare it the regular way you make it. Sip on this tea to get significant benefits. Chewing on a piece of ginger reduces cough to quite a large extent. Therefore, always keep this useful product in your kitchen.
5. Garlic
Garlic is another food which works wonders for a sore throat. The garlic bulb which is used throughout the world as a condiment has great anti-bacterial properties. When down with a flu or cold, simply crush a few cloves of garlic and have it raw. Spread it on bread or douse it with some olive oil and have it as a salad. Don’t forget to brush your teeth later on to fight off the garlic breath. Take 2-3 cloves and suck on them, don’t chew them but gently suck so as release the chemical present in it.
Prepare a syrup comprising of garlic, lemon and honey. Squeeze a lemon into a glass of honey. Add some crushed garlic and ginger to the mixture. Store it in a jar and use it when you feel a sore throat or a cough coming on. This is actually a better way to use garlic as here the strong taste of garlic has been considerably masked by honey and lemon.
Incorporate ginger and garlic as a regular part of your diet to help boost your immune levels.
6. Chicken Soup
Not for nothing, does chicken soup stand high in home treatments against flu. It has stood the test of time and many people can attest to the fact that a hearty bowl of chicken soup makes one feel instantly better. It also supplies the body with the essential nutrients. When we are down with a cold, we generally do not feel like having anything. Hot liquids such as soups are light in nature and provide relief from an irritant throat. The broth contains anti-inflammatory properties which is soothing in nature .It is also known to help reduce mucus which leads to congestion.
Add a bit of sage and some generous cloves of garlic to make the soup more potent. Sage, by the way, is very soothing to the throat.
7. Steam Therapy
This might seem as a dated method of treating a cold, but it is actually very effective. Take a bowl of hot water and sit over it with a towel over your head. Inhale the fumes. They act as a great decongestant. Take several deep breaths and continue the process several times to alleviate the pain.
8. Cider Vinegar
Cider vinegar has been used down the ages to treat a sore throat. Mix about 1 tablespoon of honey with 1 tablespoon of cider vinegar and dilute it with hot water. Sip on it slowly to extract its full benefits.
Cider vinegar can also be used as a gargle. Mix cider vinegar with ½ teaspoon of salt and warm water and gargle as frequently as required. It’s known to work wonders.
9. Horseradish Mix
The Russians swear by this method. Grate a piece of horseradish and mix it with 1 teaspoon of honey and 1 teaspoon of ground cloves. Combine the ingredients in warm water and drink slowly so as to extract the maximum benefit out of it.
10. Marshmallows
Marshmallows are great for a sore throat. The gelatin content in the marshmallows kind of coats the throat area thereby providing a calming effect. Therefore, the next time around, when your child reaches out for that marshmallow packet, know that it has some beneficial properties as well. In fact, it performs the function of a cough lozenge by keeping the throat lubricated.
11. Rest
When one is down with the flu, one should take adequate rest, to help the body heal faster. Sleep more than your daily quota, be rested in body and mind and you will see your flu disappearing within no time. .
No matter whichever home remedy you choose, you are going to see significant improvement in your condition. The ease with which the ingredients are available further makes your task easier.