Home Remedies for Sore Throat

Sore throat is a pain or discomfort in the throat area, which only gets worse when you try to swallow something. A sore throat may develop due to certain allergies. Often, it is a symptom of some underlying illness like cold and flu, tonsillitis, mumps, etc.

Pharyngitis, epiglottitis, laryngitis, tonsillitis, etc., are the different terms used for sore throat, depending upon the afflicted region. As it is a common illness, most people try to cure it at home, with the help of over the counter medicines or certain home remedies.

Gargling with warm water is one of the best remedies for a sore throat. Add a spoonful of common salt in a glass of warm water and gargle with this water. Salt is known to reduce the swelling, as well as act as a disinfectant. Warm water opens the congestion in throat and frees it. Gargle at least 3-4 times a day until the condition is completely cured.

Herbs like basil leaves are great home remedies for most common illnesses, including common cold. Take 2 glasses of water and add 15-20 crushed basil leaves in it. Boil the water and set it aside. Strain it and let it cool for some time. You may either use it to gargle or you drink it.

Alternatively, you may also make a juice of basil leaves and add a pinch of turmeric powder to it. Drink it before going to bed to get maximum benefits. This is an excellent home remedy for a sore throat.

Boil a glass of water and add a spoonful of coarsely-powdered cinnamon in it. Also, add a pinch of pepper powder and 2 tsp honey to it. Drink this concoction, while it's still hot. Alternatively, you may also mix cinnamon powder in honey with a pinch of turmeric and swallow it. This is an effective cure for sore throat.

Add a handful of fenugreek seeds in half a liter water and let it boil. After some time you will notice that the fenugreek seeds have turned the water yellow. Strain it and allow it to cool for some time. Gargle using this water 2-3 times a day. You may also add a few fenugreek seeds in the tea before drinking it.

Bark of mango tree is one of the best home remedies for a sore throat. Hence, if you find the extract of the bark of mango tree, you may use it to cure any kind of throat problem. Add a spoonful of bark of mango tree oil in hot water and gargle with this water.

Add a pinch of turmeric to a glass of lukewarm milk. Drink this milk every night before going to bed. This is the most effective and oldest of all the homemade remedies. Continue this practice even when the condition has been treated, since this concoction has several health benefits.

You can also consume honey and stay hydrated. A steam bath can also help you when having a sore throat.

The aforementioned remedies are great in case you have developed a sore throat due to a common illness. However, to cure chronic infection you may rely on some homeopathic remedies, which are highly effective. Also, it would be wise to consult your physician in case the condition persists for a longer period of time.