A sore throat can cause more anxiety these days, but it doesn't always warrant a trip to the doctor's office. The unpleasant feeling of having a scratchy throat can actually be associated with many different illnesses and conditions that are not actually emergencies. The most well-known of these include colds, seasonal allergies, heartburn and illnessesdry air. In any case, a sore throat can bother anyone. Luckily, there are some things you can do at home to ease the pain without medication. So what helps against a sore throat? Which home remedies bring quick relief? And when is a visit to the doctor recommended? You can find the answers in the article.
In most cases, home remedies are the right solution at the first sign of a sore throat. However, if the pain gets worse, other symptoms such as high fever or other complaints occur, or you do not feel any relief within 2 to 3 days, then you should definitely see your family doctor.
Does your throat hurt? These home remedies and tips will help!
What can you do for a sore throat? Below we have listed some tried and tested home remedies that can provide quick relief from the symptoms.
1. Gargle with salt water solution
One of the best and most effective home remedies for a sore throat is gargling with salt water. The solution helps eliminate mucus, viruses and bacteria. It acts like a physical rinse that helps remove the pathogens causing the sore throat, while also reducing inflammation.
In fact, gargling with salt water has been shown to help reduce viral loads in people with upper respiratory tract infections, according to a study published in August 2020 in Public Health. The study found that salt water gargles within 48 hours of symptoms appearing shortened the average duration of a viral illness by nearly two days.
To gargle with salt water, mix one cup of warm water with half a teaspoon of salt. Take a sip, gargle the mixture for four to five seconds, then spit it out. Repeat the process until the cup of salt water is used up.
You can use regular table salt because the most important aspect of the mixture is the salt content, which can remove deposits and kill bacteria and viruses. The liquid should be a little cloudy, but not so salty that it's unpleasant and causes you to gag.
This method is suitable for both adults and children ages 5 and up who can gargle without swallowing the mixture.
Although gargling can be an effective remedy for a sore throat, you should stick to salt water. Doctors advise against gargling with any antiseptic such as hydrogen peroxide or beta-iodine. Both are intended for topical use only and can actually make a sore throat worse.
However, if you have difficulty swallowing, you can also use other liquids for gargling that have a calming effect and moisten the irritated mucous membrane. These are, for example, chamomile tea, ginger tea, apple cider vinegar diluted in warm water, flaxseed water and pure aloe vera juice.
2. Nasal shower as a home remedy for a sore throat
Nasal rinses are incredibly useful for clearing the airways and can be used as often as necessary, provided you use the correct concentration of the solution. If you have a cold, a nasal shower is beneficial and can clear your nose in a gentle and gentle way. This supports the healing process.
Both real seawater and commercial saline solutions are helpful in clearing nasal passages and promoting regeneration of airway tissue, according to a study published in November 2015 in the European Annals of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Diseases.
There are different types of nasal irrigation systems you can use, such as Neti-Pot (jug-shaped container), irrigation bottle or electric versions. The most important thing is that you use a rinse solution and not just a saline nasal spray.
When using any type of nasal rinsing device, the most important thing to remember is that you should never use tap water and only use the solution included with the nasal rinsing device. Tap water poses a risk of potentially dangerous organisms such as bacteria entering the nasal passages. This is because the organisms in tap water intended for drinking are normally killed by stomach acid, but when used in a nasal douche, they pass directly into the nasal passages, where they can be harmful and even potentially fatal.
3. Drink lots of water
This advice applies to almost any medical condition. Why? Because our body needs fluids at all times to function well. And even more so when we're sick, because liquids such as water or tea increase our immune system.
Drink enough waterif you have a sore throat is particularly important. If a virus is not to blame, even pure drinking water can alleviate the symptoms. The more water you drink, the more mucus and saliva you produce, which lines and protects your throat and airways.
Hydration is very important and drinking too little can itself be a cause of the sore throat.
4. Honey as a home remedy for a sore throat
Honey is a classic home remedy for a sore throat caused by heartburn or illness. It is a particularly effective natural remedy because it has an antiseptic effect, meaning it stops or slows down the growth of germs. Even a spoonful of honey can quickly relieve a mild sore throat.
To use honey for a sore throat, you can either take a spoonful of it plain and let it slowly melt in your mouth, or mix it into a warm drink.
You can enhance the effects of honey by combining the natural remedy with the anti-inflammatory andantiseptic properties of gingerand combine garlic. A study published in May 2019 in the Journal of Advances in Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences showed that combining honey with garlic and ginger extract was an effective treatment for sore throats. This is also very effectiveManuka-Honig, which acts like a natural antibiotic.
Important:Honey should not be given to infants under one year of age because the ingredient has been linked to a toxic infant disease called botulism.
5. Warm tea for a sore throat
Drinking warm liquids such as tea can also help soothe the sore throat. However, you must make sure that you drink caffeine-free tea because caffeine can cause dehydration, which can even worsen symptoms.
ThisTeas are a good choice, as they have a calming and anti-inflammatory effect:
- Chamomile tea
- Peppermint tea
- Clove tea
- Raspberry tea
- Licorice root tea
- Marshmallow root tea
Tipp:Besides honey, lemon is also a good addition to your tea if you suffer from a sore throat. It can help loosen mucus and is high in vitamin C, which is a boon for your immune system.
6. Truth or myth: Soothe a sore throat with ice?
While tea and other warm liquids can help, the other end of the spectrum also works. According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, frozen treats like water ice cream or ice cream can at least partially relieve the discomfort of a sore throat by numbing the pain and helping to reduce inflammation and irritation.
7. Home remedies potato wraps for sore throats
Homemade potato pads help relieve a severe sore throat by evenly warming the throat. They can be used in addition to treatment with lozenges. How to make your own potato wrap:
- Boil 2-3 potatoes with their skins on, place them in a kitchen towel while they are still hot and mash them
- Place the towel around your neck, making sure to check the temperature before placing it on your skin
- Wrap a scarf around the pad to keep it in place
- The potato wrap should be worn until it has cooled down
- A potato pad can also be worn overnight
8. Improve air quality with an air purifier or humidifier
Both air purifiers and humidifiers are considered effective remedies for sore throats, especially in very dry environments and during the winter months.
Humidifiers are helpful because they moisten the air you breathe and stuffeliminate the dry air, which can irritate and inflame the throat.
However, there are a few things to consider when using a humidifier:
- Always use a cool mist humidifier
- Use it only in short intervals to ensure thatno mold in your roomthe picture
- Clean and dry the humidifier daily
- Use distilled water instead of tap water
Additionally, air purifiers can reduce the number of pollutants in indoor air, which can help relieve symptoms caused by allergies. For best results, place the air purifier next to your bed so that it purifies the air while you sleep.
If you choose a method for cleaning indoor air, using a portable air purifier to clean the air in each room is recommended. You should also regularly replace the air filters in your heating and cooling systems.
9. Homemade sore throat lozenges
There are a variety of over-the-counter lozenges that can be used for a sore throat. However, you can also make throat and cough drops yourself using some tried-and-tested home remedies. For this you can, for exampleIngredients like sage, mint and ginger, which are known for their antiviral, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Of course, honey-based lozenges are also a popular choice.
However, keep in mind that overuse of throat and cough drops can lead to chronic sore throats. Therefore, you should only use the lozenges for temporary relief and talk to your doctor if symptoms persist for more than a few days.
10. Eat soft foods when you have a sore throat
Wondering what to eat for a sore throat? In general, doctors recommend choosing, among other things, soft, moist and easy-to-swallow foods and dishes and avoiding dry, crunchy, sugary, salty or spicy foods, as these can further irritate the throat.
The following foods are easy to eat and should relieve a sore throat:
- Shakes or smoothies (here are a fewdelicious recipes for autumn smoothies)
- Ice cream
- The soup
- mashed potatoes
- Macaroni and cheese
- yogurt
- Owner
- Oatmeal and other cooked grain products
11. Eucalyptus as a home remedy for a sore throat
If your sore throat is the result of a cold, eucalyptus can help relieve congestion and soothe the nasal passages. You can try a eucalyptus shower bomb to release the fumes in a hot shower, attach eucalyptus leaves to your showerhead for aromatherapy, or add eucalyptus oil to your diffuser.
References:
Public Health. August 2020.Possible beneficial role of throat gargling in the coronavirus disease pandemic
European Annals of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Diseases. November 2015.Nasal irrigation: From empiricism to evidence-based medicine. A review
Journal of Advances in Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences. Mai 2019.Antimicrobial Efficacy of Selected Natural Products on Microorganisms Isolated from Throat of Patients with Throat Infection
