The discomfort of a dry, throbbing throat can be impossible to ignore. To soothe a sore throat quickly, try these remedies and recipes.
EditSteps
EditBasic Tricks
- Take a spoonful or two of raw honey. Honey has been shown to have antibacterial properties and is used to treat wounds.[1] It has also been shown to work as a cough suppressant.[2]
- Instead of simply spooning down the honey, you can also add it to a soothing tea if you would rather do that. This may be less effective, however, as your throat will be less exposed to the honey. Steep a slice of lemon or several chunks of peeled ginger (or both, or neither) in hot water for five minutes, add honey, and enjoy.
- Do NOT give honey to children under 1 year old. It contains bacteria which their bodies are unable to handle.
- Gargle with warm saltwater. Add 1 teaspoon (5 ml) of salt to 8 ounces (237 ml) of warm water. Gargle for several seconds, spit, and repeat. The salt in the water can draw excess fluid from inflamed throat tissues, making them less painful.[3]
- You can also make an apple cider vinegar solution and gargle that, for a similar effect. Mix 1 or 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar with 1 cup water and gargle. You can add honey to make the taste better.
- Get in a steamy shower or tub for ten minutes. Alternatively, use a cool-air humidifier to moisten the air. Dry air will further irritate your throat.[4]
- Eat soothing or cooling foods. Switching to throat-friendly foods like broth, applesauce, soft fruits, or even popsicles will reduce irritation while you recover.[5]
- You can freeze fruits like blueberries or canned mandarins to suck on. Make sure that they are rinsed and separated before you freeze them. Place them apart on a plate so that they do not stick together.
EditExtra Methods
- Make ginger tea. Ginger tea is a tea brewed from ginger pieces. It won't necessarily taste great (unless you love ginger!) but it will sanitize your throat and ease the pain.
- Prepare some fresh ginger. Get a roughly 2"x1" piece of ginger. Peel it and then slice it.[6]
- Add the ginger to boiling water. Put the ginger slices into 4 cups of boiling water. Boil for 15 minutes. Remove from heat when done and remove the ginger with a slotted spoon.
- Add lemon and honey. Add the juice from 1/4 - 1/2 of a lemon (to taste). Then add 2 tablespoons or more of honey (also to taste).
- Pour and drink the tea while it is still warm. Keep in mind that this is not designed to be an extremely tasty tea. It is designed to make your throat feel better. It may sting for a while while it sanitizes your throat, but it will make you feel better.
- Try an onion gargle. This may sound gross (and really, it won't taste fantastic) but it can help relieve pain. This onion gargle is easy to prepare.
- Finely chop 1 onion and place it in a bowl.
- Finely chop 1/2 a fresh red chili and add it to the onion. Wearing gloves (or Ziploc bags) while you do this will keep your fingertips from becoming spicy; if you don’t have protection, avoid touching any delicate areas of your skin for a while.
- Add 1 tsp of salt and the juice of 2 lemons. Let the mixture sit in the refrigerator for one hour.
- Strain mixture into a clean glass. You can do this with a cheesecloth or even clean kitchen towels.
- Gargle for several seconds, spit, and repeat. This will help keep your sore throat at bay.[7]
- Make a garlic paste. This is an intense but effective way to relieve throat pain. This paste should be swallowed as slowly as possible, so that it has time to work on your throat.
- Finely chop 1 small piece of ginger and 1 clove of garlic on a cutting board. Make the pieces as small as possible to make them easy to consume. Transfer them to the small bowl.
- Mix in a pinch or two of cayenne pepper. Don’t go overboard or it will be very spicy.
- Add two tablespoons of honey. Stir until well blended.
- Thin your paste with a few drops of water. This will make it easier to get down.
- Spoon this mix into your mouth and swallow until it is all gone. This will make it worse for about ten minutes, but then it will soothe it.
EditOver the Counter Meds
- Take some acetaminophen/aspirin/ibuprofen. Most doctors will recommend some basic pain medication for a sore throat. You should generally avoid aspirin, as it is tough on the stomach, though.
- Don't forget about cough drops.
- Use a throat spray. There are also throat sprays, which are like more direct cough drops. There are many different types available, depending on where you live, and some are more effective than others.
- Ask your pharmacist for advice. Most pharmacists will gladly dispense free advice on what you should take and when. Ask for some great tips and they will walk you through your options.
- Take prescribed medications. If you have something more serious, you should certainly take the medicines that are prescribed to you. Talk to your doctor about any concerns you have, but for the sake of your health problems like bronchitis should be treated quickly, rather than waiting for some ginger tea to kick in.
EditTips
- If you are making the third recipe for a small child, use cinnamon and/or garam marsala instead of cayenne.
- If you are gargling, make sure not to use scalding water.
EditWarnings
- Never feed honey to children under 1 year old.
- If your sore throat is accompanied with fever or doesn't go away in a few days, contact your doctor.
- Some children will refuse these remedies.
EditRelated wikiHows
- How to Make an Elderberry Jelly Sore Throat Soother
- How to Treat a Sore Throat or Laryngitis
- How to Make a Simple Remedy for Sore Throat
- How to Mince Ginger
- How to Mince Garlic
EditSources and Citations
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