Relieving Sore Throat: 6 Home Remedies That Work

Sore throat is the most common infection that causes irritation within the throat. Natural and home remedies have always helped us in curing these kinds of illnesses and infections, more than medicines – However, before getting into home remedies for sore throat, it is essential to understand what is a sore throat and why it happens.

Sore Throat- An Unwell Disease

Sore throat being one of the most common of infections, leaves the throat dry and itchy which becomes a hindrance in swallowing and causes irritation – Moreover if it gets worse it can cause difficulty in breathing and even talking. 

Sore throat usually gets better with time but it requires proper attention and treatment, whether it is through home remedies or via prescribed medications. It totally depends on the individual how they choose to deal with the infection, knowing the severity of it.

It can effect different parts of your throat, namely: 

• Pharyngitis: The throat swells and cause soreness 
• Tonsillitis: Tonsils are the soft tissues present in the back of the mouth that get red and swollen
• Laryngitis: The swelling of the voice box or larynx

Causes and Symptoms of Sore Throat

Causes

There are many causes that can bring about this infection. It can be viral, bacterial, or several other causes. Some of them are: 

• Viral Infections 

Viruses that cause sore throat are: 

• Cold
• Influenza 
• Mononucleosis
• Croup (harsh, barking cough, a common childhood illness)
• Coronavirus (Covid-19)
• Measles 
• High fever 

• Bacterial Infection 

Sore throat is also caused by bacterial infections and one of them is Streptococcus – An infection that occurs inside the throat and tonsils. This bacterial infection is common among children. Sexually trammsited disease like gonorrhea and chlamydia can also cause sore throat. 

• Other causes 

Apart from viral or bacterial infections there are other causes too, which can lead to sore throat, i.e. 

• Allergies from dust, molds, pollen or pet dander causes a postnasal drip from the nose to the back of the throat and can inflame and sore the throat. 
• Dryness which usually occurs in the winter makes it difficult to breathe. This might stick to the moisture from the mouth which leaves the mouth dry and sore. 
• Smoke and other Irritants can also cause sore throat. Some of them are air pollution, cigarette smoke, chemical smoke, and sometimes chewing tobacco or eating spicy foods. 
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in which the acid from the stomach goes back to the mouth into the esophagus that burns the esophagus and the throat. 
• Tumor – The most dangerous cause of a sore throat, can also be a sign of cancer and it is not cured easily.  

Symptoms 

With the awareness of the symptoms regarding sore throat, you can detect your situation and try to opt for the appropriate remedy as soon as you can. 

Some of the common symptoms are:

• Pain and itch while gulping anything
• Irritation in the throat
• Facing difficulty while swallowing food
• Change of voice 
• Painful to talk 
• Pus on the tonsils
• High fever
• Body ache
• Runny nose
• Red or swollen eyes 
• Nausea 

Sore Throat Remedies That Work

Sore throat is a most common type of infection but it is also the most irritating one too. We are surviving on food and the only way to consume that food is our throat, which means irritation and pain in the throat can make your whole body completely inactive. To cure the sore throat there are plenty of home remedies and they are undoubtedly quite effective.

Six of the best sore throat remedies for kids as well as for the adults are:

1- Salt Water Gargling

Salt water can be defined as a home pain reliever for sore throat, as it helps in reducing the pain and irritation in the throat. Simply add ½ teaspoon of salt in a glass of lukewarm water and gargle, but do not swallow. The soreness will surely decrease. 

2- Honey – A sore throat remedy

Honey is the best and one of the oldest home remedies when it comes to curing throat-related pain or to reduce bad cough. Honey contains natural antibacterial effect that heals the inner wounds and shows immediate results by relieving the pain and reducing the inflammation in the throat.

Add two tablespoons of honey in lukewarm water and drink it thrice a day to cure sore throat. A notable point about this remedy is that it should not be used for infants. 

3- Cold or Warm Liquids

This remedy totally depends on the condition of your throat, whether it needs a warm or a cold fluid. Warm liquids include tea, chicken or lamb broth, and lukewarm water. Whereas cold liquids include ice water or popsicles. 

It is recommended by our doctors that having suitable liquids can reduce sore throat.

4- Lemon, a best antioxidant for Sore Throat

As salt water and honey have antibacterial properties, likewise lemon has the same property to relieve the throat from soreness and breaks the mucus which causes pain. Moreover it contains vitamin C that makes the immune system healthy to fight from infections. A mixture of one teaspoon of lemon juice in lukewarm water can be an amazing pain killer. 

5- Teas for Sore Throat

Many herbal teas that can be made at home easily are the best way to treat sore throats. Some herbal teas are Clove tea, green tea, Raspberry and peppermint tea, Chamomile tea and caffeine or coffee. All of them are very healthy and effective to reduce the sore throat and irritation. These are the best choices for reducing inflammation and to ease pain. 

6- Steam and Humidifier 

Taking steam by draping the towel over your head and breathing in the vapors so the stream goes through your nose and mouth as it directly reaches to the throat, and can be a very helpful remedy that eases the pain. Moreover, using a humidifier at home is a great source of relieving congestion and soothes the sore throat. Humidifiers are mostly recommended for children.

Final Verdict 

It is obvious that a sore throat remedy at home can be quite useful and effective as it has been in use for years, but if it gets severe then consultation from doctors becomes very necessary. If you are facing difficulty in breathing, swallowing, earache, high fever or other symptoms then visiting a doctor is the best option.

Physicians at Manhattan Medical Arts ensure the utmost comfort for all our visiting patients – not only do they provide medical assistance, but they also offer simultaneous education on their medical condition, providing awareness that enables better decision making process.

– Disclaimer –
This blog is for informational & educational purposes only, and does not intend to substitute any professional medical advice or consultation. For any health related concerns, please consult with your physician, or call 911.