“ An ounce of prevention is worth a pound cure” – Benjamin Franklin
Many infections re-occur frequently but the most common re-occurring infection is a sorethroat. Sore throat refers to itchiness, irritation, and ache of the throat. When you are down with sore throat, you find it difficult to swallow food and liquids, you have fever and aches.
Though many cures have been discovered for sore throat infection home remedies will always remain the favourites of all. Sore throat is a viral infection that is most likely to affect the children. Though the elders can also catch cold and throat infection any time.
Throat infection is more likely to be spread in winters. It may not be a severe one but be prepared to spend a few sleepless or sleep-deprived nights. One more thing which is widely observed that any kind of viral infection, especially sore throat or influenza or chest infection, it will go away after completing its cycle, no matter how many preventions one tries.
However, one should not take these viralinfections lightly. Curing and rectifying them on time can save you from staying sick for a longer time.
Allopathy has prescribed many medications for sore throat infection. However, the re-occurring of the infection makes it difficult to see a doctor again and again.
We care for you, that is why we have brought you some of the best homemaderemedies that can help you get rid of infection soon, if not completely but at least 50%.
Let’s go through the 10 best homemade remedies:
1. Honey – A Sweet Cure!
Honey has proven to be the curefor so many things that we have forgotten the count. It has natural anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties. Especially, Manuka honey is best known for its anti-viral properties.
How should one use honey to soothe the throat pain?
Honey is mixed with tea gives relief to the patient down with ache and fever. Honey is also curative for nighttime cough.
2. Peppermint
Carrying the properties to freshen the breath, the menthol present in peppermint helps thin mucus and relieve a sore throat. Peppermint is anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial and antiviral in nature which boosts the healing.
Peppermint oil sprays are also used as a cure for a sore throat but never use essential oils without mixing them with the basic or carrier oil.
For example: mix five drops of essential oil with peppermint oil and use it but please don’t ingest it.
One more thing before using peppermint oil spray make sure to dilute it.
3. Gargles
Gargles are one of the oldest remedies to treat sore throat. Here we will discuss two types of gargles.
a) Saltwater
Warm salt water relieves a sore throat. It has the power of killing bacteria and breaking down secretions. To make salt water gargles, you need to take a half-teaspoon of salt in a glass full of warm water.
Gargling with it will reduce the swelling of the throat, it will also clean throat.
This process should be done every two to three hours a day.
b) Baking Soda
Baking soda combined with the saltwater can do wonders to cure a sore throat. This solution has proved to be tough on the regeneration of yeast and fungi and it also kills bacteria.
You can make this solution by combing 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda and 1/8 teaspoon of salt with 1 cup of warm water. This should be used every three as required.
4. Apple Cider Vinegar
Known for its antibacterial and antimicrobial effects, it is the best natural medicine for many diseases. The moment you start sensing the symptoms of sore throat, grab an apple cider vinegar and dilute 1 to 2 tablespoon in one cup of water. Start gargling with this solution and take a small sip of the mixture. Repeat the process after every hour and make sure to consume more and more water in between.
Be careful while using AVC as a remedy for sore throat infection or any other infection because many people are sensitive to vinegar.
5. Ginger Root Tea
Ginger is an amazing spice carrying the anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effects on a sore throat. It is the best reliever for respiratory tract infections.
Though ginger tea now comes in different brands but making fresh ginger tea at home gives you more benefits.
To make ginger tea all you need is:
Ginger root
1 liter water
1 tablespoon honey
A squeeze of lemon juice
Now grate the ginger and boil the water. Then put grated ginger into boiled water, cover it and let it steep for at least 10 mins. At the end put honey and lemon juice, your ginger root tea is ready to be served. You can drink it cold or can use it hot in both ways it can treat sorethroat.
6. Cinnamon
Another spice in the list of therapeutic spices. Rich in antioxidants with the combination of antibacterial properties, cinnamon has been the favourite of all the traditional remedy lovers.
Cinnamon is extensively used in Chines medicines to ease or relieve the sore throat pain. It is also used for cold and flu infections. Use cinnamon powder by putting it in black tea or you can get cinnamon tea from any grocery store.
7. Garlic
One of the widely used medicinal drug, garlic is rich in antibacterial properties. The element allicin makes it a curative remedy to fight different infections. Taking garlic supplements regularly can help in preventing the common cold virus.
To soothe the throat pain, all you need is to suck on a garlic clove, that will help in healing the soreness and reducing the swelling. However, don’t forget to brush your teeth afterwards.
Until now we have discussed the remedies that can be proved therapeutic for adults. But children who are likely to catch cold and sore throat are required to treated differently.
The further points are for infants and children:
8. Keep the Room Moist
Place a humidifier in your children’s room, it will create moister in the room which will reduce the pain caused by a sore throat.
9. Hydration
Keep your kids as much hydrated as you can. Make them drink different liquids that help them in curing a sore throat.
10. Avoid Cough Candies
Children under the age of 5 would swallow cough candies that might make them choke. To avoid the choking risk, don’t give them cough candies.