A sore throat can be caused by a number of illnesses, ranging from a cold or the flu to seasonal allergies. If you think your sore throat may be caused by a serious illness, it's best to see your doctor. But if you are suffering from a mild sore throat, you have several options for treating your symptoms at home using herbal remedies.
Sage
Use sage to treat a sore throat, according to MotherNature.com. To make a sage tea for your sore throat, pour boiling water over 2 teaspoons of fresh, chopped sage leaves. Let the tea steep for 10 minutes, then strain the liquid to remove the sage leaves. Tyler recommends letting the tea cool and gargling with the mixture as needed for a maximum of three days.
Goldenseal
The University of Maryland Medical Center website states that goldenseal relieves sore throat symptoms that typically occur with cold and flu viruses. You can find goldenseal supplements at health food stores or you can make a homemade tea to treat a sore throat at home. To make goldenseal tea, Tyler suggests pouring boiling water over 1 or 2 teaspoons of dried goldenseal, which you can also find at health food stores. Allow the tea to steep for 10 minutes, then strain and allow to cool before gargling with the liquid.
Fenugreek
Fenugreek seeds, which are available at most health food stores and some natural grocery stores, can be used to treat sore throats, according to the Mamaherb website. To treat a sore throat at home with fenugreek, place 2 tablespoons of fenugreek seeds in a pot along with 1 liter of cold water. Heat the pot over low heat and allow the mixture to simmer for 30 minutes. When cool, strain the liquid to remove the seeds and use the tea as a gargle to reduce sore throat pain.
Homemade Cough Syrup
MotherNature.com lists a recipe for making a herbal cough syrup at home that can be used to treat sore throats in children. To prepare the syrup, boil 1 tablespoon each of licorice root, mullein leaves, thyme leaves, rose hips, slippery elm bark and lemongrass leaves in 1 quart of water. Once boiling, remove the mixture from the heat, cover and allow to rest for 30 minutes. Strain the herbs from the mixture and return the liquid to a simmer, then stir in ¼ to ½ cup of rice or fruit syrup to sweeten the mixture. Allow the syrup to cool, then store in the refrigerator, giving a child with a sore throat 1 tablespoon at a time as needed.
