Although not a major health problem, a sore throat can be quite frustrating. People with sore throats may find it challenging to carry on with their daily activities or consume food. Turning to home remedies can be a good idea in such scenarios.

Here, you can find some of the most effective home remedies, including salt-water gargles, for dealing with a sore throat that causes mild to moderate levels of discomfort. If you have a severe sore throat, consider visiting a doctor.

Importance of Home Remedies for Throat Pain

It is not uncommon for people to experience a sore throat, especially during transitional weather. Most people avoid going to the doctor for a sore throat as it usually resolves on its own, and numerous over-the-counter (OTC) medicines are easily available that can be used to reduce the discomfort. Moreover, home remedies for sore throats are known to be quite effective.

Since a sore throat can be a symptom that can occur due to different health problems, including the common cold and allergies, addressing the symptom often involves treating the underlying condition. However, if sore throat is the sole symptom, simple home remedies usually suffice in bringing you relief to carry out your day-to-day tasks with relative ease.

Effective Home Treatments for Sore Throat

If you're dealing with a sore throat, try the following home remedies to ease the discomfort and facilitate quick healing:

As one of the oldest home remedies in the book, gargling with salt-water has been demonstrated to be effective in relieving sore throat symptoms. All you need to do is dissolve ½ teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water and gargle with it twice a day.

Some people believe that the hotter the water, the faster the relief. However, with this belief, you may end up burning your mouth and feeling more uncomfortable. Thus, make sure the water is not too hot or too salty for you. If done properly, the warm salt water can help loosen up mucus and reduce swelling and irritation in your throat. Repeat the gargle every few hours throughout the day.

Adding honey to your ginger and lemon tea not only enhances its flavour but also brings a soothing effect to your throat. The anti-microbial properties of ginger, combined with the soothing and anti-microbial effects of honey, can work wonders for your sore throat. Furthermore, the addition of lemon juice to this beverage gives it a nice antioxidant boost. Thus, if you have a sore throat, drinking this warm beverage will not only soothe your sore, itchy throat but also help you recover fast.

This homemade throat pain relief beverage can be consumed twice a day or in small quantities multiple times during the day. Fun fact: Honey is an effective cough suppressant.

Liquorice root is considered a holy grail for dealing with sore and itchy throats, coughs, and colds, according to Ayurveda. Whether you prefer brewing it to make a warm tea, drinking water infused with this herb, or just keeping it in your mouth, liquorice root is a key ingredient in an effective home remedy for strep throat (sore throat caused by the bacteria streptococcus).

Certain lozenges also contain liquorice root extracts due to their potency. You can also boil liquorice root in water to gargle with it.

People commonly experience sore throats when the air in their surroundings lacks moisture, leading to painful breathing due to dry air. In such cases, using a humidifier in your room can help you breathe more comfortably without irritating the sensitive mucous membranes of your nose and throat. You may also consider using the humidifier at night while you sleep so that you don’t wake up feeling uncomfortable.

Although a humidifier can be helpful in alleviating the discomfort caused by a sore throat, it is also a potential breeding ground for bacteria and viruses. Thus, ensure you clean the humidifier properly once a day and after use.

Chamomile tea can be used to help with a sore throat, as it is naturally soothing. The anti-inflammatory, astringent, and antioxidant properties of chamomile tea can be extremely beneficial for people experiencing a sore throat. Chamomile holds the potential to reduce inflammation of the throat, making it a perfect ingredient for a tea to help with sore throats.

This is another home remedy for a sore, itchy throat that has been around for ages. You may have heard about the benefits of drinking chicken soup (or vegetable soup, in the case of vegetarians) when you have a sore throat or cough. This is potentially because the warm liquid soothes the sore throat and the body’s immune function improves due to the nutrient content of the soup.

A comforting bowl of warm soup can make you feel better, which in turn helps you heal faster. Additionally, you won’t have any problem consuming this food, as it is generally very mild on the palate.

A Word of Caution

People who have certain allergies, are pregnant, or are breastfeeding should consider talking to a doctor before trying out some of the home remedies mentioned above.

Some of these remedies may not be suitable for young children and infants. Thus, avoid trying anything with them before consulting a paediatrician.

Additionally, the following things can worsen your sore throat:

1. Dry air

2. Active or passive smoking

3. Dust, pollens, or air pollution

4. Strong perfumes or chemical fumes from cleaning agents

5. Spicy or acidic food

6. Alcohol

Preventing Sore Throat

As you may already know, a sore throat is considered a symptom of many conditions, and it can be caused by numerous factors. Listed below are some common measures that you can take to reduce your chance of getting a sore throat:

1. People who have allergies should avoid known triggers.

2. You should consume nutrient rich foods and exercise regularly to increase immunity.

3. You must avoid smoking.

4. You can use a face mask, an air purifier, and other such tools to deal with air pollution.

5. You can maintain optimum levels of humidity in your surroundings.

When to See a Doctor?

You should see a doctor under the following circumstances:

• The discomfort caused by your sore throat is significantly impacting your daily activities.
• You have severe pain or discomfort that inhibits your normal breathing.
• You have developed a cough with blood or odd smelling mucus.
• It has been more than 7−10 days, and your symptoms seem to stay the same or get worse over time.
• You have a high fever and a sore throat.
• You are unsure how to deal with a sore throat.

Prioritise Your Well-Being

Staying on top of your health can be challenging at times, especially when your immunity level is low. However, a comprehensive health insurance plan that offers a free health check-up annually, among other benefits, can be helpful. There are numerous reasons to buy health insurance, including the peace of mind it provides.

Although a sore throat is not a major concern, you need to prepare for an unannounced medical emergency that has the potential to disturb your finances. Investing in a suitable health insurance plan for you or your family is one of the best ways to secure your future in this economy.

FAQs

This may vary from person to person, but gargling with warm salt-water or drinking tea infused with ginger and honey can be quite effective in soothing a sore throat. You can learn more home remedies for sore throat in the list above.

Yes. The home remedies mentioned above are quite effective in dealing with a sore throat that is mild or moderate in severity.

Yes. Ginger has been used for sore throat for ages. You can consume half a teaspoon of ginger juice mixed with honey twice a day or drink ginger tea regularly to help with your sore throat.

Yes. Although this is a controversial claim as Ayurveda prohibits you from consuming foods with a ‘cooling’ nature if you have sore throat, curd or yoghurt is a highly nutritious food that may enhance your immune function. Thus, if you feel fine after consuming curd for a sore throat, you can continue to do so without worrying.

You can consume anything that is nutrient-dense to boost your immunity; however, avoid food items that may irritate your throat. Here are some things that you can easily consume when you have a sore throat:

1. Soup

2. Oats

3. Porridge

4. Khichri

5. Apples