20 Effective Home Remedies For Treating Sore Throat

A sore throat is never a welcome situation. Accompanied with throat ache and body ache, it leaves you in a completely miserable condition. Many times what starts as a simple sore throat turns into something more uncomfortable, and you need to call your doctor.

While this may not be required each time, a sore throat, if not properly taken care of, could worsen over a period of time. It may lead to other medical conditions like sinusitis and other ENT troubles.

Home Remedies for Sore Throat

Rather than buying over the counter treatments, there are various home remedies you could try before you load your body with antibiotics. These are safe to use by everyone and do not cause any side effects.

So here are 20 of the most effective home remedies that are known to work for sore throat.

1. Warm Salt Water Gargle:

You’ve heard your mother swear by this while you were a kid, and this holds true even now! Salt water is truly miraculous in easing throat ache and sore throat.

• Dissolve half a tablespoon of salt, preferably the crystallized ones, in a cup of warm water and gargle at regular intervals.
• Along with reducing the swelling in the throat, salt will also help to flush out excess mucus.
• Gargle just three times a day.
• Excessive saline gargle could lead to dehydration of the soft tissue in the throat and mouth.

Gargle is the cheapest and best remedy you will ever find to treat and alleviate the symptoms of a sore throat!

2. Sip Some Hot Toddy:

Who knew that toddy could do the trick? If you are suffering from both throat ache and cold, then hot toddy is the perfect answer.

• Make non-alcoholic hot toddy by mixing some honey, lemon juice and hot water.
• Garnish with a slice of lemon and sip this slowly to get relief from the pain.

Remember that though toddy can soothe a sore throat and even clear your nasal passages, it can dehydrate your system, so do not over do it!

3. Guzzle Some Apple Cider Vinegar:

Things that are healthy may not always taste good, and this is true for apple cider vinegar.

• Take equal quantities of apple cider vinegar and honey and dissolve it in a very warm cup of water.
• Drink while warm.

The acidity in the cider vinegar kills the bacteria causing your sore throat and the honey will soothe the pain. This natural nifty healer has germicidal properties that will work on treating your sore throat from the instant it gets in contact with the walls of your throat. Gargle every hour for best results!

4. Suck Garlic Cloves:

Garlic is just what you need to kick your throat ache out! The allicin in garlic can alleviate pain and throat irritation.

• Slice the clove into half and suck on the pieces like candy, occasionally, giving the piece a gentle chew.
• Though the garlic can sting your throat, stay persistent and suck on raw garlic, for this is the best way to treat a sore throat naturally.

5. Drink Marshmallow:

The marshmallow root has been used for centuries in North America as a sore throat remedy. The root is mucilaginous and helps to soothe the worst cases of sore throat.

• Put a tablespoon of the root into a cup of boiling water.
• Let it steep for an hour before straining and consuming it.

6. Inhale Steam:

This is also one of the most common methods of treating a sore throat and cold.

• Inhale some steam to alleviate the symptoms of a sore throat, especially if it is accompanied by nasal congestion.
• Bend over a bowl filled with boiling hot water, covering your head with a large towel.
• You can add a few drops of eucalyptus oil to make the inhalation more soothing.
• Alternatively, you can take a hot shower and breathe in the steam to get relief.

7. Chill Out With Cayenne:

Cayenne pepper has a compound called capsaicin, which can alleviate your throat pain temporarily.

• Eating hot and fiery food can help soothe a sore throat.
• Prepare a mixture by adding ½ tsp cayenne pepper in about 200 ml boiling hot water.
• Add a tablespoon honey to mellow down the spiciness.
• Allow to cool down until warm and sip the concoction for a quick recovery.
• Make sure you keep stirring the cup as you drink, as the pepper settles down at the bottom of the cup.

However, if you are suffering from heart burns or hyperacidity, please be extra careful.

8. Licorice Root Tea:

Licorice root has natural anti-inflammatory properties. It can reduce the swelling in your throat and soothe the mucus membrane.

• Add some dried licorice root to cold water and bring to boil.
• Let it simmer for about 10 minutes before straining and sipping the brew.
• You can improve the taste by adding some cinnamon and cloves to the water.

9. Bourbon Gargle:

Bourbon can act as an effective salve to treat the worst of sore throat.

• Add a tablespoon of bourbon in a glass of warm water.
• Stir and gargle with it.
• The bourbon is sure to help you get relief from a scratchy sore throat that does not seem to abate!

10. Baking Soda Gargle:

As gross as it sounds, baking soda tea can kill those nasty pathogens playing havoc in your throat.

• Dissolve half a teaspoon each of table salt and baking soda in warm water.
• Take a large sip and rest for 15 counts, and then gargle.
• Repeat thrice a day to get rid of a nasty sore throat and the pain that accompanies it!

11. Honey Up With Honeysuckle:

This is a traditional Chinese remedy that can eliminate the pain by destroying the bacteria. It also helps to reduce the swelling and ease pain.

• Boil a quart of water and add a cup of honeysuckle flowers.
• Let it steep for about 10 minutes.
• Strain and sip this tea.
• You can add some lemon to improve the taste.
• If you cannot get hold of honeysuckles, simply chew on lozenges that are sure to help too!

12. Munch on Cloves:

Cloves contain a compound called eugenol, which is a natural painkiller. Chewing the cloves triggers the release of this compound that could minimize the acute pain that accompanies a sore throat.

• Cloves can taste spicy, so keep a glass of water nearby.
• After chewing, you can spit out the remnants or simply swallow them.
• Make sure you stick to cloves and not clove oil or other forms.

13. Get A Dose Of Hydrogen:

You can take the help of a hydrogen peroxide gargle to get rid of the bacteria and infection triggered by those.

• Pour a cap of hydrogen peroxide into a glass.
• Add some warm water and gargle with it.
• Be sure to spit it out.

14. Power Up With Pomegranate Tea:

Pomegranate is rich in antioxidants and also has astringent properties. The antioxidants help to fight the infection, while the astringent part helps to reduce swelling, thereby reducing the pain.

• Boil the rind of pomegranate in three cups of water for 15 minutes.
• Drink while warm.
• You also can use this “tea” to gargle.
• If you cannot make yourself drink pomegranate tea, then be sure to drink pomegranate juice without sugar.
• It will have the same effect as the tea.

15. Soothing Chamomile Tea:

Alongside staples like lemon, honey and ginger, herbs like chamomile can also help treat sore throats. Chamomile has been used for centuries to ease sore throat.

• Steep a chamomile tea bag in a cup of boiling water for about 10 minutes.
• Add some honey and drink the tea.
• It will ease the pain in your throat and also help to kill the bacteria causing the infection.

16. Drink Ginger:

Ginger is an age-old home remedy for soothing a sore throat that comes due to a cold. It can give your sinuses a new lease on life, enhance blood circulation so that more oxygen reaches your cells, and reduce swelling.

• Crush a two-inch piece of ginger root with a mallet.
• Boil it with three cups of water and let it simmer for 5 minutes.
• Add honey and then strain before drinking.

Ginger will cling to all sides of the throat and provide you with temporary relief from pain while also working on treating a sore throat. You will love the warm, comforting drink that will begin to fight your sore throat.

16. Sage Sargle:

While the astringent properties of sage will reduce the inflammation, its analgesic properties will help in reducing the pain you are experiencing. Apart from having astringent properties sage is also said to possess anti-bacterial and antiseptic properties that is quite soothing to sore throats.

• You can use dried or fresh sage.
• Just pour boiling water over the leaves and let them steep for about 20 minutes.
• Strain and then add a little bit of table salt.
• Gargle with this solution to combat with that dreaded sore throat.

17. Vodka:

Yes, we mean it!

• Buy a bottle of low cost vodka, and dilute it with warm water.
• Gargle with this warm solution and swallow it up!
• Add ginger, a pinch of salt, and a dash of honey for better results.
• Repeat 4 to 6 times a day, at regular intervals, to hasten your recovery!

18. Spice Up With Cinnamon:

Cinnamon can ease the pain and also open up blocked sinuses.

• Simmer 2 to 3 cinnamon sticks in 200 ml boiling water for about 3 minutes
• Strain and sip the tea to ease the pain and bid adieu to the infection.
• You can even add a little milk, if plain cinnamon tea is not your choice.
• Prepare a potion by mixing 1/2 tsp cinnamon, 1 tbsp sugar, and 1/8 tsp baking soda.
• Brew this on low flame until the mixture warms up.
• Add more sugar, if you wish to, and sip your way to a sore-free throat.

19. Marjoram Tea:

Marjoram has made its way into alternative medicine and is used to treat several health ailments, including indigestion and muscle spasms. Several doctors will advise you to sip pots full of marjoram, as it helps in clearing the mucus while treating sore throat.

• Simmer about 1 tsp marjoram leaves to 200 ml boiling water for 15 minutes
• Strain, and sip the brew flavored with honey and lemon juice.
• It will ease the pain, while preventing repeated coughing episodes.
• You can use the same brew as a gargle as well.
• Repeat the gargle three or four times a day to get rid of sore throat.

Inhaling the steam from this brew could clear up those clogged nasal passages accompanying your sore throat.

20. Turmeric Gargle:

Turmeric powder is well known for its antiseptic, antibacterial, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory properties.

• Dissolve half teaspoon each of salt and turmeric powder in 200 ml warm water and gargle twice a day.
• Add just 1 tsp of this golden yellow powder to the milk along with honey and black pepper powder to combat sore throat.
• These are the top 20 home remedies for a sore throat! You can mix and match the ingredients, especially when you are creating gargles.

Apart from these home remedies, here are a few tips that will help you rest while you feel a little under the weather.

Rest Your Feet and Throat:

Rest, in plentiful amounts, is quintessential for a faster recovery from a sore throat. Always keep yourself hydrated with warm water or a Vitamin C-rich fruit juice. The more the dehydration levels are, the more your mucus production will be. Hence, drink lots of fluids and within a day or two you will be as good as new!

Few Words of Caution:

Never take throat pain lightly. It could be a case of a simple sore throat or a more serious strep throat. So stay at home and safeguard yourself against the external triggers. You may also feel like sucking lozenges to ease the dryness. This can stimulate the production of saliva, but it contains sugar, so avoid these. Say no to caffeine and alcohol, as they can lower the body’s combating power. This will unnecessarily prolong your sore throat and make you feel miserable.

Say No to Ice:

It can be tempting to sip on ice water to ease your throat dryness, but this will make your condition far worse. The same also holds true for things that are very hot. Liquids that are too hot will scald your soft tissues in the throat and make the pain worse. Try to drink warm teas and soups. Also, stay away from ice creams and Popsicle when you have throat pain or you risk aggravating your throat further.

These home remedies along with some rest and precaution will be enough to cure your throat pain. Try these out and get well soon. Stay fit, stay healthy!