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17 Quick and Effective Home Remedies for Sore Throat Relief

Sore throat, or throat pain, is characterized by a painful, itchy, or irritating sensation in the throat, often intensifying when swallowing. Discover 17 powerful home remedies to combat this discomfort swiftly and effectively.

Administrator

10 July, 2024

A sore throat can be irritating and uncomfortable. If you’re in the early stages, there are some home remedies that might help soothe the pain without medication. We’ll share some easy ways to find relief.

1Gargle with Warm Salt Water

Benefits

This is one of the simplest and most popular home remedies for a sore throat. The salt water helps to soothe inflamed tissue, reduce swelling, and kill bacteria in the throat. It also thins mucus and reduces phlegm, making it easier to swallow. For best results, use this remedy 2-3 times a day.

Gargle with warm salt water

What You’ll Need

1 cup of warm water (about 250 – 300 ml)
1/2 – 1 teaspoon of salt

Instructions

Step 1 Stir the salt into the warm water until dissolved.

Step 2 Gargle with the solution 1-2 times a day.

Step 3 After gargling, swish the remaining salt water around your mouth for 3-5 minutes to kill any remaining bacteria and viruses.

2Honey and Ginger Remedy

Benefits

Fresh ginger has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that can help soothe a sore throat and reduce pain and hoarseness. It also boosts your immune system. Honey has a natural sweetness that stimulates saliva production, which is ideal for soothing a sore throat.

Honey and ginger remedy

What You’ll Need

1 inch of fresh ginger root
1-2 teaspoons of honey

Instructions

Step 1 Peel and grate the ginger to extract its juice.

Step 2 Mix the ginger juice with honey in a 1:1 ratio and drink the mixture. Consume this remedy 3 times a day for best results.

3Honey, Lemon, and Tea

Benefits

Lemon helps to contract the mucus membranes in your throat, making it an ideal ingredient to pair with honey. This drink is not only delicious but also highly effective in soothing a sore throat.

Honey, lemon, and tea

What You’ll Need

1 cup of hot tea
1 teaspoon of honey
1 slice of lemon

Instructions

Step 1 Prepare a cup of hot tea of your choice.

Step 2 Add honey and a slice of lemon to the tea. Stir and drink while it’s still warm.

4Licorice Root

Benefits

According to traditional Chinese medicine, licorice root can be used to treat chronic sore throats and is often an ingredient in mouthwash. Modern science has found that glycyrrhizic acid in licorice stimulates the secretion of substances in the bronchial tubes, making it easier to expel phlegm.

Licorice root remedy

What You’ll Need

5 grams of licorice root
250 ml of boiling water

Instructions

Step 1 Chew on a few slices of licorice root, swallowing the juice and spitting out the fiber. This can be done several times a day to quickly reduce throat pain and discomfort.

Step 2 Alternatively, steep 5 grams of licorice root in 250 ml of boiling water for 15-20 minutes. Then, sip the tea slowly to allow the licorice to coat your throat.

5Garlic

Benefits

Garlic is well-known for its antibacterial properties, especially in treating respiratory conditions. It contains compounds like allicin, liallyl, and ajoene, which help fight bacteria, reduce inflammation, and soothe the throat. It also boosts your body’s immune response.

Garlic remedy

What You’ll Need

3-5 garlic cloves
Alcohol (vodka or brandy)

Instructions

Step 1 Peel and chop the garlic cloves and place them in a glass jar.

Step 2 Cover the garlic with alcohol and let it sit for 10 days until the garlic turns a golden yellow color.

Step 3 When ready, mix 1 teaspoon of the garlic tincture with a little warm water and drink it 3 times a day for 3 days.

6 Throat Lozenges

Throat lozenges can stimulate saliva production and keep your throat moist. The sugar in the lozenges also has an anti-inflammatory effect. When dealing with a sore throat, choose lozenges with cooling ingredients like mint to help numb the pain.

Throat lozenges

7 Chamomile Tea

Benefits

Chamomile tea is an excellent remedy for a sore throat due to its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and soothing properties. It can help calm and smooth the mucous membranes in your throat.

To make chamomile tea for a sore throat, follow these steps:

What You’ll Need

10 dried chamomile flowers
30 ml of honey
2 quails’ eggs
200 ml of boiling water

Instructions

Step 1 Steep the chamomile flowers in boiling water for 5 minutes. Keep the lid on the pot to retain the aroma.

Step 2 In a blender, combine the chamomile tea, honey, and quail eggs. Blend for about 3 minutes, then pour into a cup and enjoy. For extra sweetness, you can add another 10 ml of honey.

Note: Before drinking the tea, you can chew on a few of the steeped chamomile flowers. This will help freshen your breath and has a mild detox effect.

Chamomile tea

8 Peppermint Tea

Benefits

Peppermint tea contains menthol, which has a cooling effect on the mucous membranes of the throat, easing pain and irritation. Additionally, rosmarinic acid in peppermint can help prevent allergies and reduce bronchial spasms. The aroma of peppermint tea is also soothing and relaxing.

To make peppermint tea for a sore throat, follow these steps:

What You’ll Need

A handful of fresh peppermint leaves
A little rock sugar

Instructions

Step 1 Rinse the peppermint leaves and gently crush them to release their essential oils. Place the leaves in a teapot and pour in 250-300 ml of boiling water.

Step 2 Let the tea steep for 10-15 minutes, then add a little rock sugar to taste. Drink the tea while it’s still warm.

Peppermint tea

9 Perilla Leaf

Benefits

is rich in essential oils, minerals, and other beneficial compounds for the ears, nose, and throat. In traditional Chinese medicine, perilla leaf is considered warming and spicy, with anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and lung-strengthening properties.

To treat a sore throat with perilla leaf, you can make either perilla leaf congee or perilla leaf juice.

What You’ll Need

1 handful of perilla leaves
Rice
Meat (optional)

Instructions

Step 1 Rinse and finely chop the perilla leaves.

Step 2 Cook the rice into a soft porridge and season to taste. Just before turning off the heat, add the perilla leaves. You can also add some meat for a heartier congee.

To make perilla leaf juice, follow either of these methods:

Steam-cook quinces, perilla leaves, papaya flowers, and rock sugar for 15-20 minutes. Drink the juice 3 times a day.
Pound perilla leaves, green tea leaves, fresh plums, and Chinese dates, then boil them with 500 ml of water for 20 minutes. Drink the juice 3 times a day.

Frequently asked questions

There are several home remedies that can provide relief from a sore throat. Here are some quick and effective solutions: honey, especially Manuka honey; salt water gargle; herbal infusions such as marshmallow root and slippery elm; apple cider vinegar mixed with warm water and honey; ginger tea or ginger extracts; licorice root tea or lozenges; peppermint tea or essential oil; and finally, staying hydrated with warm fluids.

Honey, especially Manuka honey, has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that can help soothe a sore throat and reduce inflammation. Its thick consistency also helps coat the throat, providing temporary relief from pain and irritation.

Gargling with warm salt water can help reduce swelling and discomfort in the throat. Salt has antibacterial properties that can help fight off any infection, and it also helps to draw out excess fluid from inflamed tissues, providing relief from pain and swelling.

Marshmallow root and slippery elm are two effective herbal remedies for a sore throat. They both contain mucilage, a substance that becomes slippery when mixed with water, forming a protective coating over the throat and providing relief from pain and irritation.

Apple cider vinegar has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Mixing it with warm water and honey creates an effective remedy for a sore throat. The vinegar helps to break down mucus, while the honey soothes and coats the throat.

Ginger is a natural anti-inflammatory and antibacterial agent. Drinking ginger tea or taking ginger extracts can help reduce throat inflammation and fight off any infection. Ginger also has a soothing effect on the throat, providing relief from pain and irritation.