TREATMENT OF SORE THROAT AT HOME

Sore Throat

A sore throat is a painful, dry, or scratchy feeling in the throat. Pain in the throat is one of the most common symptoms. 

Most sore throats are caused by infections, or by environmental factors like dry air. Although a sore throat can be uncomfortable, it’ll usually go away on its own.
Sore throats are divided into types, based on the part of the throat they affect:

Laryngitis

Laryngitis is a condition that causes inflammation in the larynx, or voice box. Inflammation of the vocal cords can cause hoarseness of the voice, and some people may even lose their voice temporarily. 

People can get laryngitis from straining their vocal cords by yelling or overusing their voice.

Other causes of laryngitis include:

-allergies

-stomach acid from acid reflux

-viral infections

-bacterial infections

Pharyngitis

Pharyngitis is inflammation of the mucous membranes that line the back of the throat, or pharynx. This inflammation can cause discomfort, dryness, and difficulty swallowing.

Causes of pharyngitis include viral infections, such as common colds, and bacterial infections, such as group A Streptococcus.

Pharyngitis is a common condition and rarely a cause for concern. Viral pharyngitis often clears up on its own within a week or so. However, knowing the cause can help people narrow down their treatment options.

Tonsillitis

Tonsillitis is an inflammation of the tonsils. The tonsils are collections of tissue that sit on either side of the pharynx. Tonsillitis is the result of either a viral or a bacterial infection.

Tonsillitis is rarely serious and often clears up on its own or with a short course of oral antibiotics. However, a doctor may recommend surgical removal of a person's tonsils if the condition is long-term or keeps recurring.

Symptoms of tonsillitis and pharyngitis are similar. They include:

-a sore throat,

-red and swollen tonsils,

-white or yellow dots on the tonsils,

-difficulty swallowing,

-abdominal pain,

-a headache,

-stiffness of the neck.

Throat Ulcers

An ulcer is a pus-filled sore that can form on the throat, vocal cords, or food pipe. Causes of throat ulcers include:

-viral or bacterial infections,

-damage to the tissue lining the throat,

-stomach acid from vomiting or acid reflux,

-difficulty or pain when swallowing,

-white patches in the throat,

-fever,

-swollen lymph nodes,

-nausea,

-chills.

Consult your doctor first, if you will use St. John's wort. If you have a serious condition, it is best to consult with a doctor for help. Some conditions might be warning signs of other illnesses that only a medical professional can accurately diagnose.

1- St. John's Wort Tea And Oil

This treatment is for people older than 18 years. St.John's Wort is a good anti-inflammatory. 

Never use a medical and herbal medicines during treatment.

St John’s wort is a excellent antiviral and is ideal for sore throat infections.

St. John's Wort Tea:

Ingredients

-1 teapot

-1 cup of water

-Quantity: 2 pieces St.John's Wort bag or 2 tsp of dried St. John's wort

Directions

-Pour a cup of water inside the teapot and boil the water.

-Then place 2 pieces St.John's Wort bag or 2 teaspoons of dried St. John's wort per cup inside your teapot.

-Let your tea steep for about 10 minutes. And then strain. 

-Drink a glass  of St.John's wort tea, on an empty stomach two times daily. 

-If you want you can add honey. 

St. John's Wort Oil: 

If possible, use homemade St John's Wort oil. For your treatment, 140 mL of  St. John's wort oil will suffice.

Directions

-Drink a dessert spoon of St. John's wort oil, on an empty stomach two times daily for 8-10 days.

-Do not eat anything for the next 60 minutes.

Do not take St. John's Wort

-If you are under 18 years.

-If you are allergic to any of the ingredients.

-If your skin is very sensitive to sunlight.

-If you are about to have an operation.

-If you have high blood pressure, absolutely do not use the St. John's wort. First treat your high blood pressure.  (Click for treatment of your high blood pressure)

-Those who will apply this prescription absolutely should not use doctor prescription or  herbal medicines.Do not take St. John's wort with any drugs. Because St. John’s Wort can reduce the effect of the drugs.

-Talk to your pharmacist or doctor before you buy this medicine to make sure it is suitable for you.

-They should stay away from smoking and alcohol during the treatment.

-Those who will use this prescription should have left antibiotics 3 days ago and cortisone medications 1 month ago.

-If you take St. John's wort in conjunction with other anti-depressants, your serotonin (i.e. brain chemical that anti-depressants target) levels may rise to an unsafe level. Symptoms of serotonin syndrome include tremor, diarrhea, muscle stiffness, decrease in body temperature, death, and extreme confusion.

 

2- Bay Leaf Tea

Bay leaf tea provides a natural antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, flu and soothing sore throat remedy.

Ingredients

-1 Cup of water

-1 teapot

-3 or 4 bay leaves (daphne)

Directions

-Pour 1 cup of water into the teapot and boil the water.

-Place 3 or 4 bay leaves.

-Let your tea steep for 8-10 minutes. Then strain and drink. (½ or ¼ cups for children according to age.) 

-If you want you can add honey. (2-3 cups per day, morning and evening)

3- Cornstarch And Honey

This is an effective mixture. It works in a few days. It is an ideal homemade remedy especially for children.

Directions

-Put 2 cup of water in a small saucepan and boil it.

-Put adequate amount of corn starch and mix until slurry.

-When the slurry is warm, add 1 tbsp honey. (Make sure the honey is of good quality.)

-Mix with a stirring rod until a homogeneous slurry is formed.

-Take 1 tbsp slurry, on an empty stomach 2-3 times daily.

4- Onion Cough Syrup

Onions (and their stronger counterpart, garlic) are part of the Allium family of plants, which are traditionally known for their immune-boosting properties, including being natural antivirals and antibiotic, anti-inflammatory and expectorants.

Onion Cough Syrup is really known as a children’s remedy because it’s gentle and sweet. Of course, it can also be used for adults or elders – anyone who wants a gentle cough remedy.

Ingredients

-Glass container with lid

-An Onion that fits into the container

-Honey or Granulated sugar (white or brown)

Directions

-Peel your onion. Slice it into rounds (which will fit into your jar.)

-Layer onion and honey or sugar in the jar. 

-When the jar is full, cover it and set at room temperature for 6-8 hours until a syrup forms. 

-You’ll see a syrup start forming within an hour or two. Leave it until it’s fully liquid, approximately 6-8 hours.

-Ready to use! Simply eat a spoonful of this syrup as needed to soothe your cough. Store in the refrigerator. Discard after 48 hours.

5- Garlic Cough Syrup

If you’re up for something stronger, make the more potent version of a natural cough syrup – garlic in honey. 

Ingredients

-20 cloves of Garlic (peeled)

-2 liters of Water (purified)

-1 cup of Honey

Directions

-Smash the garlic cloves and place them in a saucepan.

-Add one liter of cold water and bring to a simmer.(20 minutes)

-Pour the resulting mixture into a jar, close lid, and leave to infuse overnight.(10-12 hours)

-The next morning, combine the mixture in a pot with 1 liter of water, and bring to a boil until the mixture is reduced to half of its original volume.

-Add 1 cup of honey and keep the heat at 110° F (43° C) to thicken the syrup, stirring occasionally.(30 minutes)

-Remove the syrup from the fire, place in smaller bottles, and let it cool down before using.(2 hours)

Take one tablespoon of this syrup every 3 hours or as needed in order to relieve coughing. Dosage can be adjusted based on cough severity and individual response. It may be stored in the refrigerator for several weeks.

6- Honey, Onion And Garlic Syrup

Honey, onion and garlic are all naturally antimicrobial. Honey also acts as a demulcent, meaning it relaxes the cough reflex and soothes the throat. Finally, herbs like sage or thyme add even more antimicrobial benefits.

Ingredients

-a half-cup of honey

-a half-cup of water

-one whole chopped onion

-one chopped clove of garlic

-a dash of sage or thyme

Directions

-Combine a half-cup of honey and a half-cup of water. Add in one whole chopped onion and one chopped clove of garlic. 

-Add a dash of sage or thyme.

-Allow to steep overnight at room temperature. 

-Strain and use the liquid as a cough syrup. Store in your refrigerator.

Tip:
If you can’t wait overnight for your syrup to steep, simmer the mixture for five to 10 minutes until the onions soften. Although you’ll lose some antimicrobial properties, you will get some relief before heading to bed.

7- Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar is a natural health tonic that's been used in folk medicine remedies for centuries. Its main active ingredient, acetic acid, helps fight bacteria.

Apple cider vinegar has antibacterial properties and may help provide sore throat relief when consumed in small amounts with warm water.

Ingredients

-1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar

-1 glass of water

-Honey (optional)

Directions

-Add apple cider vinegar to a glass of water. Mix well.

-Consume this mixture 2-3 glass of water per day.

-You can also add honey for flavor.

8- Salt Water Gargle

Gargling with salt water is a well-known natural remedy to get rid of a sore throat.

The salt helps reduce swelling by pulling water out of your throat tissue. It may also help kill unwanted microbes in your throat.

Ingredients

-1 teaspoon of salt

-1 glass of medium hot water

Directions

-Add salt to a glass of hot water.

-Gargle with a mouthful of this mixture for 30 seconds, once per hour.

9- Lemon Water

Lemon water is a refreshing beverage that may also reduce the throat pain that occurs during a cold or the flu.

Lemon contains vitamin C and antioxidants. It also increases the amount of saliva you produce, which can help keep your mucous membranes moist.

Ingredients

-1/2 lemon

-A glass of lukewarm water

-1 teaspoon of honey 

Directions

-Add 1/2 lemon and 1 teaspoon of honey to a glass of warm water. Mix well.

-Consume this mixture 2-3 glass of water per day.

10- Gargle With Lemon Water

The acidic nature of lemon juice can kill bacteria and relieve various symptoms of laryngitis. It also stimulates the production of saliva and helps loosen mucus in your throat.

Ingredients

-1 lemon

-A cup of lukewarm water

-A pinch of salt

Directions

-Squeeze the juice from the lemon and add this to a cup of water.

-Add salt and mix it well.

-Gargle with this solution.

11- Thyme Tea

Antimicrobial, antibacterial, antiviral, expectorant, and astringent. Thyme is great for respiratory infections and coughs.

Ingredients

-1,5 teaspoon dried thyme or 3 teaspoon fresh per cup of water.

-1 Cup of water

-1 teapot

Directions

-Pour a cup of water inside the teapot and boil the water.

-Then place 1,5 teaspoon dried thyme or 3 teaspoon fresh per cup inside your teapot.

-Let your tea steep for about 10 minutes. And then strain. (½ or ¼ cups for children according to age.) 

-Drink a cup of thyme tea, on an empty stomach two times daily. 

Sore Throat Prevention Tips

-Drink a lot of water every day. This will keep your throat hydrated and help in easy clearance of the mucus as well.

-Avoid spicy and fried food as much as possible. These can easily irritate the tissues in the throat and also cause acid reflux.

-Do not smoke. If you are a non-smoker, stay as far away as possible from secondary smoke.

-Stay away from irritants like pollen, wood dust, chemical fumes (like paint fumes), etc.

-Decrease the amount of alcohol and caffeine intake as these cause fluid loss from the body and dehydrate it.

-Do not clear your throat for no reason. This action actually causes more mucus to be secreted and irritates your throat that will make you want to clear it again. ----This cycle can cause strain on the larynx.

-Eat a healthy diet that contains plenty of fruits, veggies, and whole grains that contain vitamins A, C, and E.

-Wash your hands before you eat anything.

-During dry weather conditions, use a humidifier to keep the environment inside your home moist enough.