Curing sore throat at home

A sore throat according to health experts is a common and minor condition in which the back of the throat becomes irritated. In most cases, it is caused by a virus, such as the one that causes colds and flu or the bacteria that cause strep infection. In cases of bacterial or viral infections, health […]

A sore throat according to health experts is a common and minor condition in which the back of the throat becomes irritated. In most cases, it is caused by a virus, such as the one that causes colds and flu or the bacteria that cause strep infection. In cases of bacterial or viral infections, health experts advise patients to take antibiotic. Yet, there are home remedies that could be helpful as well.

But before you start treating that sore throat, experts say you should ask yourself a couple of questions:

• Is it severe?

• Prolonged and lasting more than a few days?

• Is there difficulty in swallowing?

• Any difficulty in breathing?

• Is it accompanied by an unusual high fever?

• Lump in neck?

• Joint pain

If you answered yes to any of these questions you should probably try to see the doctor. If not, then try some of the following methods.

Cut up about 4 lemons (into very small slices), place them in a jar, and pour enough honey over them until they are completely covered. Then, place the jar in the refrigerator for 24 hours. Once it is soaked for the appropriate amount of time, boil water. Fill a tea or coffee cup of hot water, and spoon in two tablespoons of the honey lemon mixture into it. Then you can drink it, just like tea, and you can even eat the lemon rind as it has been softened and sweetened by the honey. You can make this mixture ahead of time and store it in your refrigerator for up to two weeks. It is really good to have on hand! (Also works for coughs!)

A few other methods that have been found helpful to someone having sore throat are these.

There are several gargles that can be used to relieve the pain of a sore throat. Generally a gargle will help cure the sore throat by changing the acidity of the throat to one that the bacteria cannot survive.

• Salt water- dissolve as much salt in a cup of warm water as will dissolve and gargle with the mixture. Repeat every couple of hours.

• Vinegar- Add one tablespoonful of cider vinegar to one cup of warm water and gargle. Repeat every couple of hours.

• Garlic- boil 1 clove garlic in 1 cup water, cool to lukewarm and gargle.

• Listerine- It does kill germs, gargle with it a couple of times a day.

• Aloe Vera – gargle with aloe Vera juice

• Vinegar Mix- one teaspoon of apple cider vinegar, one teaspoon of cayenne pepper and three tablespoons of organic, raw honey in a cup of warm water.

• Any herbal tea that is recommended for sore throat can also be gargled.