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What is Sore Throat:Causes, Symptoms, Risk Factors, Treatments, Home Remedies

By on July 2, 2016

What is Sore Throat?

A Sore throat is a condition that is marked by inflammation in the throat. It is characterized by pain, irritation and itchiness in the throat.

What is Sore Throat

What is Sore Throat

Other Symptoms of a Sore Throat May Include:

  • Headache
  • Difficulty in swallowing.
  • Fever.
  • Difficulty in breathing.
  • Dryness of throat.
  • Swollen neck glands.
  • Hoarseness
  • White patches on the tonsils.

Individuals at Risk of a Sore Throat are:

  • Small children
  • Immunocompromised patients
  • Smokers
  • Allergic individuals.

Common Causes of a Sore Throat:

  • Bacterial and viral infection.
  • Allergens such as pollen grain, mold and other irritants.
  • Cold
  • Dry air
  • Shouting and yelling a lot.
  • Smoke

Treatments of a Sore Throat:

It depend on the underlying cause. But whenever an individual suffers from a sore throat, his foremost concern is to get rid of the pain. Regardless of the causes, a sore throat can be relieved by simple home remedies.

Below are Home Remedies to Relieve a Sore Throat:

1.Warm water gargle- This is the most simple, effective and old way to decrease the swelling and inflammation. It also thins the mucus and relieves the nose blockage or stuffy nose. When we gargle with warm salt water the water is drawn out of the swollen cells.

This causes the cells them to shrink, kills the germs and soothes throat.
Home Remedies for a Sore Throat

Home Remedies for a Sore Throat

How to use:

  • Take a cup of water.
  • Heat it till it is warm.
  • Add a teaspoon salt to it.
  • Mix thoroughly.
  • Gargle with this solution for about 10 minutes.
  • Repeat this several times in a day to relieve a sore throat.

*Do not swallow this solution or it may cause dehydration. 

2. Honey, lemon and ginger relieve a sore throat- Ginger is antibacterial. Lemon is rich in vitamin C.Honey is a humidifier, it coats the throat and also kill germs. Three of them are effective in the soothing throat.
How to use:

  • Add a teaspoon of dry ginger powder to a cup of warm water.
  • Add a teaspoon honey to it.
  • Now squeeze a few drops of lemon juice to it.
  • Mix all the ingredients.
  • Gargle with it several times a day to relieve a sore throat.

3.Garlic- Allicin a chemical present in the garlic Kills the bacteria that causes a sore throat. Owing to its antiseptic and antibiotic properties, garlic not only kills the germs but also relieves a sore throat.
How to use:

  • Take a cup of warm water.
  •  Add few 3 to 4 drops of garlic oil to it.
  • Mix well.
  • Gargle with this solution once a day.
  • You may also chew a pod of garlic.

4.Apple cider vinegar- Being acidic apple cider vinegar restricts the growth of the bacteria and eases the symptoms of a sore throat.
How to use:
Method 1-

  • Take a cup of warm water.
  • Add 2 teaspoon apple cider vinegar to it.
  • Now add a teaspoon honey.
  • Squeeze few drops of lemon to it.
  • Mix well.
  • Drink this solution 2 times a day to relieve a sore throat.

Method 2:

  • Take a cup of warm water.
  • Add 2 teaspoon apple cider vinegar to it.
  • Now add a teaspoon salt.
  • Mix well.
  • Gargle 3 to 4 times a day.

5.Sage and water- Sage have the property to soothe the throat. It also reduces the swelling and relieves blocked nose.
How to use:

  • Take a cup of warm water.
  •  Add 1 teaspoon sage to it.
  • Add half teaspoon alum to the mixture.
  • Now add one-fourth cup of brown sugar.
  • Also add 2 teaspoon vinegar to this solution.
  • Mix well.
  • Gargle with this preparation or drink it to relieve a sore throat.

6.Marshmallows- It soothes the mucus lining the throat. This soothes the throat and eases the pain.
How to use:

  • Take a cup of boiling water.
  • Add 2 teaspoons dried root of marshmallows.
  • Let it steep for an hour. Strain the preparation.
  • Drink this solution to relieve a sore throat.

*If you have diabetes then please consult your doctor.

7. Turmeric- It is a powerful antioxidant. It has been used since old times to ease symptoms of cold and a sore throat.
How to use:

  • Take a glass of warm water.
  • Add to it a teaspoon of turmeric powder.
  • Also, add a half teaspoon of salt.
  • Mix well.
  • Gargle with this solution 3 times a day.

8.Cinnamon- Cinnamon keeps the body warm and relieves a sore throat.
How to use:
Method 1-

  • Take a Bowl of hot water.
  • Add a teaspoon cinnamon to it.
  • Now add a pinch of black pepper powder.
  • Leave it for 20 minutes to steep.
  • Strain the solution.
  • Gargle 3 times with this solution to ease the symptoms.

Method 2-

  • Take a teaspoon of honey.
  • Add 3 to 4 drops of cinnamon oil to it.
  • Eat it twice a day to relieve a sore throat.

9.Clove tea- Owing to anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties, clove kills germs and reduces the pain.
How to use:

  • Take a cup of warm water.
  • Add 2 teaspoons of ground cloves
  • Mix well
  • Gargle with this solutionYou may also drink it as a tea to relieve a sore throat.

 

10.Cayenne pepper- Capsaicin present in cayenne pepper is a pain reliever.
How to use:

  • Take a cup of boiling water.
  • Add one-fourth to half teaspoon of cayenne pepper to it.
  • Add a teaspoon of honey. Mix well. Let the mixture cool down a little.
  • Now drink it to relieve a sore throat.

From next time whenever you suffer from a sore throat try these easily available home remedies to treat it

Dr. Ritu Kumari Gupta
Dr. Ritu Kumari Gupta:  Professionally a homeopathic doctor and a dietician Dr. Ritu Kumari Gupta is passionate about writing health and parenting blogs. She believes in holistic approach towards health and well being.
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