A sore throat is characterized by pain and swelling, which makes swallowing and eating uncomfortable. The cause can be something as simple as overworked vocal chords, the common cold or a flu virus to something complicated like a bacterial infection. A sore throat is one of the top reasons people visit the doctor, but those visits are often unnecessary. According to National Institutes of Health (NIH), most sore throats are caused by a virus and will not respond to medication. However, there are home remedies that can effectively relieve a sore throat.
Honey and Lemon
One of the oldest, and most tested, home remedies for a sore throat is using a mixture of honey and lemon. The Mayo Clinic says it works because the lemon in the mix helps cut through the excess mucus that is clogging and irritating the throat, while the honey coats the throat, giving it a soothing sensation.
Warm up 1 cup of water, add 2 tbsp. lemon juice and 1 tbsp. honey and sip like a tea. You could also add the honey and lemon to a prepared cup of tea, if you like.
Holy Basil
Not the same as the basil spice you find in most kitchens, holy basil (Ocimum sanctum) is an herb that has been used for centuries in ayurveda and Chinese medicine. It has been found effective in treating bronchial ailments, and the Indian Journal of Explored Biology hails it as a powerful anti-inflammatory that can ease the swelling of a sore throat.
To use holy basil, boil 1 loose cup of leaves in 1 1/2 cups of water for 15 minutes. Drink the mixture as a tea, or wait until it cools and then gargle with it. Holy basil leaves can be found in most health food stores or the organic section of larger supermarkets.
Salt Water and Humidity
The National Institutes of Health lists gargling with salt water as one of the top ways to treat a sore throat. Warm up 1 cup of water, and add 1 tbsp. sea salt to it while it is warm. Stir the salt in for a minute, while you let it cool slightly. While the water is still warm but not hot, gargle for 1 minute with the salt water. The salt has both soothing and healing properties.
Another recommendation from both the NIH and Mayo Clinic is making sure that you keep the air you breathe as moist as possible. Adding moisture with a humidifier or vaporizer can keep your mucous membranes moist, which will help alleviate some of the itch associated with a sore throat. Extra moisture is especially helpful while sleeping.
What Not to Do
Along with the above remedies to soothe your sore throat, there are things you should not do that will also speed healing. Avoid cigarette smoke and other pollutants whenever possible, since the chemicals and smoke will irritate the mucosal lining of the throat. Also, stay away from liquids or foods that contain high amounts of caffeine such as coffee, certain teas and chocolates. As per a study in the Amino Acids journal, caffeine is a diuretic and can promote dehydration. Alcohol is also considered a diuretic and should be avoided.
