According to the 2007 research study, only 4% of people visit medical professionals for the treatment of sore throat and it is the second most common infection in the world. Sore throat is mainly caused due to viral and bacterial infection however the 70% of times sore throat is caused because of viral infection.
Last month when my mother had a sore throat I contacted the top ENT doctors in Karachi and they prescribed the medicine along with some natural remedies for sore throat. Now I also use these natural remedies whenever I have the tingling in my throat.
7 Best Home Remedies for Treating Sore Throat
You can treat your sore throat by using honey, saltwater, chamomile tea, peppermint, baking soda, marshmallow root, and garlic. Why are these items effective for your throat infection? Let’s read about all of these remedies in a detail below.
- Honey
The first item that will soothe your sore throat is honey. Honey is rich in nutrients and antioxidants. One research study showed that honey helps in curing the cough and it also improves the quality of sleep. Besides treating your sore throat, honey also improves blood pressure and cholesterol.
You can take honey with and without tea however taking it with a tea will be more effective.
- Salt Water
Saltwater is helpful for killing the bacteria that is causing throat itching. Salt soothes the swollen tissues in your throat and relieves the pain. Daily gargling with salt water has an immediate effect on the throat.
Take a half teaspoon of table salt and mix it in the warm water. Dissolve the salt and gargle three times a day for early recovery.
- Chamomile Tea
Besides saltwater, you can also try chamomile tea for treating your sore throat. Chamomile tea comes from the daisy-like plant named chamomile. It contains anti-inflammatory properties and therefore is used for several purposes. Chamomile tea soothes the throat and stomach ache and also boosts the immune system.
- Peppermint
Peppermint is commonly used for freshening the breath therefore many gum manufacturing companies use peppermint flavor in their products. However, its use is not just limited to that. It is also helpful for improving energy and for fighting against the bacterial infection. Peppermint also aids in curing the sore throat problem because it contains the menthol which is helpful for treating the cough and inflammation in the throat.
- Baking Soda Gargle
Gargling with salt water is not the only way for treating the sore throat. You can also gargle with the backing soda. Baking soda is helpful for killing the bacteria that cause throat infection. It is also helpful for preventing urinary tract infections and kidney problems.
For using baking soda as a throat pain reliever, add ¼ teaspoon of it in the 1 cup saltwater solution and gargle every three hours.
- Marshmallow Root
You can find marshmallow roots from the marshmallow plant which grows on the bank of the rivers. It is an important ingredient of many cough syrups because of its healing and anti-inflammatory properties. It fights against the bacteria that cause irritation and swelling in your throat.
How can you use marshmallow roots? The best way to use these roots for treating your sore throat is by making tea. Taking this tea three times a day will speed up the healing process.
- Garlic
The last item that you can use for curing the sore throat is garlic. Garlic improves the blood pressure and cholesterol level in your body. Besides this, it also fights against sickness and the common cold.
For using garlic as a sore throat reliever, chew it, or simply suck the garlic slice for 15 minutes. It is more effective than taking garlic tea for curing sore throat.
Summing Up
Sore throat is a common disease and it can be cured without taking medicines. To cure the sore throat you can use honey, garlic, baking soda, salt, and marshmallow roots. While gargling with the saltwater make sure not to swallow it otherwise it may cause irritation in the stomach.
Beside marshmallow, if you are allergic to any of the above-mentioned items don’t use it. The marshmallow roots are not suitable for every person therefore it is important to consult with your doctor before using it.
