What are some home remedies to get rid of a sore throat?
- Warm salt water
- Apple cider vinegar
- Hot toddy
A sore throat can happen at almost any time and it can be caused by a wide variety of reasons. In some cases, it can be caused by a strep throat or a bacterial infection and other times, it can be caused by viral infections. Regardless of what caused it, though, a sore throat can be very contagious so it is very important to address this illness as soon as possible. Once you notice the symptoms show up, you should immediately take your medicine for it. Much like diabetes, there are a lot of natural remedies for a sore throat that might already be available in your home.
According to a study, sore throats are one of the most common reasons why people have to go to the doctor. Usually, a sore throat is considered a small complaint until each and every swallow induces seemingly unbearable pain! If you ever find yourself coming down with a case of a sore throat, you don't necessarily have to get a prescription for antibiotics to deal with it. Thankfully, there are natural cures and remedies that you might already have in your cupboards! Here are three home remedies to get rid of a sore throat.
Warm Salt Water
You probably have already heard of this remedy from your mother or grandmother, so when she told you to gargle with salt water, she knew what she was talking about. Gargling with warm, salt water is not just an old wives’ tale; it is actually one of the more effective cures for a salt water you can get.
No matter the cause, when your throat gets hurt and feels painful, it is usually because the cells in the mucous membranes have become inflamed and swollen. You can reduce the swelling in your throat when you gargle with warm salt water because the primary function of salt is to draw out water. This then shrinks the swollen cells and eases the pain in your throat. A warm salt water gargle also helps wash away the excess mucus and if you also have a stuffy nose, allows it to drain properly.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Despite its taste, many people swear by apple cider vinegar as a cure for a sore throat. Because of its high levels of acidity, it is effective in killing bacteria. When you mix it with honey it can also help soothe the soreness in your throat too!
Hot Toddy
A hot toddy is a drink made with alcohol, usually bourbon, honey, lemon juice, and warm water. A hot toddy usually helps a sore throat, especially ones that are accompanied by a cold.
This drink is effective because the honey and lemon soothe your throat while the alcohol helps you sleep. If you are making this remedy for a child, you can also leave out the alcohol.
Key Takeaway
Remember, if your child who is suffering from a sore throat develops severe symptoms such as difficulty swallowing, unusual drooling, and having trouble breathing, contact your doctor or your local medical facility immediately.
For adults suffering a sore throat, if the symptoms do not go away after a week, visit your doctor so that he or she can prescribe you medicine for it. If you have diabetes or other lingering concerns, it is best to go to your healthcare provider as soon as possible so complications do not occur.