10 Home Remedies for a Sore Throat

Sore throats are quite common and almost always painful. While a sore throat that lasts more than a few days may be cause for medical inspection, many tried-and-true home remedies can help ease symptoms until the body has dealt with the allergies, infection, or other issue that is causing the pain.

Try Lemon, Ginger, and Honey in Water

An age-old home remedy for treating a sore throat is a tea mixture of lemon, ginger, and honey. The ginger helps loosen mucus from the respiratory tract, while honey and lemon soothe the throat. You will need:

• 1 teaspoon of powdered or a 1/2″ chunk of fresh ginger
• 1 teaspoon honey
• ½ squeezed lemon
• ½ cup hot water

Mix the ginger and honey into the water and add the lemon juice. Allow to cool slightly, then sip for instant relief.

Suck on Garlic

If you have garlic in your kitchen and enjoy its strong flavor, you may be in luck. Since time immemorial, garlic has been revered for its antibacterial properties and is popular in many homeopathic remedies. You will need:

• 1 fresh clove of garlic, halved

Simply place one piece of raw garlic in each cheek, and suck on it as you would cough drops. If you can chew it, good for you, but if you can’t, just crush it against the teeth to release its antibacterial allicin. Do this once a day to combat any infection that may be causing pain.

Gargle with Salt Water

Gargling with salt water can ease pain immediately and even help cure a sore throat. Throat pain is often caused by inflamed mucous membranes, and salt can help pull out moisture from the swollen tissues, while also making your throat less susceptible to bacteria. You will need:

• 1 cup of warm water (8 oz.)
• ½ teaspoon of salt

Warm the water — it should not be hot. Dissolve the salt into the water, then gargle with the mixture for five to seven minutes. Repeat this twice or three times a day as required.

Make Baking Soda Tea

Baking soda changes the pH of the throat, making it more alkaline, which is no good for bacteria. Most people have a box of baking soda in their cupboard, so this is a great option for treating a sore throat. You will need:

• 1 cup water (warm, not hot)
• ½ teaspoon of baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt

Heat the water so that it is warm but not boiling. Then, add the salt and baking soda. Gargle and spit out the mixture. Repeat this process about three times a day.

Drink or Gargle with Sage Tea

Sage has been used medicinally for centuries. It is an astringent herb that causes contraction of the throat tissues, relieving swelling and easing a sore throat. You will need:

• 1 cup of boiling water
• Little bit honey (only if you prefer sweet tea)
• 2 teaspoons sage leaves
• ¼ ounce salt (if not adding honey)

Add the sage leaves to the boiling water and let them steep for 10 to 15 minutes, then strain out the leaves and drink the mixture. If you like sweet tea, mix in a little bit of honey.

Steam It Out

Steam is a great solution for easing the soreness in your throat, especially when you’re also plagued by congestion from a cold or other infection. You will need:

• 1 big bowl
• 1 large bath towel
• Boiling water to fill the bowl halfway

Simply add boiling water to a large bowl and lean over the bowl, covering your head with a towel. Adding a bit of eucalyptus oil can help, too. Make sure to keep your face back from the water so as not to burn your skin.

Chew Some Cloves

Perhaps you have heard that cloves can be a powerful remedy for toothaches and throat pain. They contain eugenol, a natural anesthetic and an effective painkiller. Chewing on a clove releases eugenol that will numb throat pain. You may want to use water to rinse your mouth after the herb has done its job.

Try Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar is another great option to alter the pH of the throat and take down germs. Its high acidity soothes pain and combats infection. When mixed with honey, it is even more effective. You will need

• 1 teaspoon of apple cider vinegar
• 1 teaspoon of honey
• 1 teaspoon of lemon juice (optional)
• 1 cup of warm water

Mix apple cider vinegar, honey, and lemon in a cup of warm water. Drink while the mixture is still warm.

Prepare Chamomile Tea

Yet another natural remedy for treating a sore throat is chamomile tea. For a sound sleep, sip a cup an hour or so before bed — the flowers feature properties that go to work as natural pain-killing agents and also encourage relaxation. You will need

• 1 sachet of chamomile tea
• 1 cup of boiling water
• An empty mug

Add the tea bag to a mug of just-boiled water. Let the tea steep as long as you like, then drink for fast relief.

Hot Toddy

A hot toddy can take a sore throat down a notch. It warms the chest and helps soothe you off to sleep. This remedy, of course, is only for adults. You will need

• 1 ounce of whiskey
• 1 tablespoon of honey
• 1 tablespoon of lemon juice
• Hot water

Add whiskey, honey, and lemon juice in a cup of hot water. Stir the mixture and drink it before bedtime.