In many cases, sore throats are caused by viruses, and a hoarse, stinging throat is often the first sign of a viral upper respiratory tract infection, such as a cold or flu. Less commonly, it concerns a bacterial infection, such as a sore throat. Swollen and infected tonsils can also cause a sore throat and in adults, smoking is a common cause of chronic sore throat. For a sore throat caused by a cold virus or flu virus, there are various home remedies, natural remedies and herbs that are just as effective as remedies you buy at a pharmacy or drugstore.
- Sore throat is common
- Sore throat: general advice and home remedies
- Self-care measures
- Lemon tea with honey and ginger for sore throat
- Diet and lifestyle factors in sore throat
- Supplements with vitamins A, B and C
- Eat lots of fruits and vegetables
- Zinc tablets
- Don’t drink alcohol
- Movement and ventilation
- Natural remedies and herbs for sore throat
- Antimicrobial herbs
- Throat spray for sore throat
- Gargle with herbs for a sore throat
Sore throat is common
Sore throats are very common and usually nothing to worry about. Normally, a sore throat goes away on its own within a few days to a week. If you have a fever or you don’t feel well enough to do your normal activities, try to stay home and avoid contact with other people until you feel better.
Sore throat: general advice and home remedies
Self-care measures
Observe the following advice for a sore throat:
- Make sure you get enough rest and drink enough.
- Drinking hot or cold (without alcohol) soothes the pain when swallowing.
Paracetamol has an analgesic and fever-reducing effect / Source: Martin Sulman
- Gargle with warm salt water (1 teaspoon of salt per glass of water).
- An alternative gargle is 2 teaspoons of cider vinegar in half a cup of warm water.
- Suck on throat lozenges or drops.
- Suck on frozen treats like popsicles.
- Use a humidifier.
- Eat chicken broth or warm tea with honey.
- Take acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or naproxen for pain relief.
- Do not smoke. Smoking irritates the throat mucosa.
Beginning sore throat can be counteracted with a zinc chloride-alum gargle FNA (available at a pharmacy or drugstore). This soothes the sore throat. The active ingredients in Zinc Chloride-Alum Gargle are zinc chloride and aluminum potassium sulphate (also called ‘alum’), which have a mild astringent effect, causing the swollen mucous membranes in the throat to shrink. This gargle is also called Gargarisma Kan or Zinc chloride-potassium-aluminum sulphate gargle.
Lemon tea with honey and ginger for sore throat
Soothe a sore throat with lemon tea with honey and ginger. Lemon is an effective remedy for sore throats because of its antimicrobial properties. Lemons are packed with vitamin C (which boosts your immune system) and when squeezed into a warm drink they have a soothing effect on the throat. What should you do? Peel a piece of ginger (from a fresh ginger root) and cut it into slices and bring it to the boil with a cup of water. Ginger counteracts inflammation and kills some bacterial strains. Then let the water cool down. Then squeeze a lemon and pour the lemon juice into the cup of hot water that also contains the ginger pieces and add a teaspoon of honey. Honey has antibacterial properties and is in fact a natural antibiotic. However, never put honey in boiling water because it will lose its healing properties. Put it in warm water that has a drinkable temperature.
Diet and lifestyle factors in sore throat
Take the following dietary factors into account to prevent or combat sore throats.
Supplements with vitamins A, B and C
Supplements with vitamins A, B and C increase your resistance. It is possible that high doses of vitamin C reduce the duration and severity of sore throat and other symptoms of viral respiratory infections. Like many other antioxidants, vitamin C is vital for the immune system, it gives your immune system a boost, so to speak.
Fresh fruit / Source: Istock.com/karelnoppe
Eat lots of fruits and vegetables
A healthy and varied diet is important for good resistance. It is recommended to eat at least two portions of fruit and 200 grams of vegetables every day. In principle, such a diet contains sufficient vitamin C and other essential vitamins and minerals to build and maintain good resistance. In addition to fruit and vegetables, a healthy diet consists of sufficient whole grain products, one or two times (low-fat) dairy, meat, fish or meat substitutes, sufficient (unsaturated) fats and sufficient fluid.
Zinc tablets
Zinc is an important trace element (these are minerals of which the body needs little), which promotes the natural immune system. In a 2011 review, researchers concluded that taking zinc syrup, zinc tablets or zinc lozenges reduces the severity and duration of the cold in otherwise healthy people.ยน The condition is that you take zinc intake begins. It is possible that zinc stops germs from entering the body to multiply. Remember that you should not take zinc for a long period of time, as an overdose can endanger your health.
Don’t drink alcohol
Avoid alcohol if you suffer from a sore throat. Alcohol primarily reduces resistance, but it is also known that alcohol further irritates inflamed mucous membranes. Also try to quit smoking and avoid smoky areas.
Fatigue / Source: Istock.com/BartekSzewczyk
Movement and ventilation
In addition to a healthy and varied diet, it is important to ensure sufficient exercise. In addition, take sufficient rest and relaxation, sleep enough and prevent stress. Ventilate your house well by leaving windows ajar and opening grilles, even during the winter months. Ventilation is important, as inadequate ventilation can cause mold and dust mites and can lead to health problems such as shortness of breath, coughing, fatigue, headaches, dehydration, sore throat or chronic colds. Also go outside regularly for some fresh air and ensure good personal hygiene, so that the risk of contamination with viruses and bacteria is reduced. Your hands in particular are a source of contamination. Therefore, wash your hands well and regularly.
Natural remedies and herbs for sore throat
Garlic / Source: Istock.com/Mallivan
Antimicrobial herbs
You can take the following antimicrobial herbs at the first signs to combat the infection:
- Echinacea (red coneflower, strengthens the immune system – see photo at the top of the article);
- Wild indigo (an anti-inflammatory, natural antibiotic, active against both bacteria and viruses);
- Turmeric or turmeric (anti-inflammatory);
- Garlic (which has powerful antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal properties);
- Cat’s claw (sometimes called cat’s claw or cat’s claw, strengthens your resistance);
- Pau d’arco (increases natural resistance);
- Myrrh (a few drops of myrrh tincture in a cup of water to combat inflammation);
- Chiretta/Kalamegha (this bitter herb which comes from India stimulates the immune system and fights acute infections, among other things).
Throat spray for sore throat
For example, you can use a throat spray that contains sage/echinacea. Sage has an antibacterial effect, while echinacea is known to strengthen the immune system. You can also gargle or spray the throat with sage, thyme, marjoram, turmeric, myrrh or salt water.
Gargle with herbs for a sore throat
What other herbs are good for your throat? Marshmallow, red elm, mullein, aloe vera, licorice, coltsfoot and comfrey lubricate and soothe throat mucous membranes affected by colds and irritated ones.
Note:
- Singh M, Das RR. Zinc for the common cold. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2011, Issue 2. Art. No.: CD001364. The review includes 15 studies with a total of 1360 participants.
read more
- Sore throat: pain when swallowing or sore throat, what to do? Tips!
- What to do about a sore throat and painful, difficult swallowing?
- Beginning sore throat: what to do with emerging pain in the throat?
- Strep throat treatment: antibiotics, medications & herbs
- Strep throat: symptoms, causes, treatment & prevention
