Going to work feels great and meeting or negotiating with someone becomes a smooth process when your body is cooperating with what you are doing. But what about when you wake up on the day of an interview or the day that day you’re going to close a very important deal and you feel your throat burning? We wouldn’t want that to happen to us! But what if it does? We don’t have time to go to the doctor anymore. Is there anything we can do which will not cost us much? Something we can use which can only be found in our kitchen?
If your throat feels dry, scratchy, and irritated, chances are you have the common sore throat. This is a normal issue, especially during the winter months. You could also have a swollen uvula, which is a similar condition. For a full run-down on that condition you can read more here. While you may want to run to your local pharmacy and buy every lozenge and spray known to man-kind, it’s definitely not the safest and healthiest way to deal with the common sore throat.
According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), many throat sprays and liquids can have adverse effects on the human body. Because these benzocaine products diminish oxygen supply in the blood stream, they can cause severe headaches, a rapid heart rate, and in some cases, even death. Instead of using these store bought products, try these 9 all natural throat healers that you might even find in your ownhomes:
The Liquid Treatment
When treating our sore throat, most of us would prefer using liquid because it is easier to make and swallow. No wonder children’s medicine is always in syrup form. Try out these liquid remedies for your sore throat.
Warm Saltwater
Because salt restores proper pH levels and relaxes any sore muscles, gargling with warm saltwater is a quick fix for a sore throat. When using this all natural and cheap remedy, simply mix a quarter of a teaspoon of salt with a half a cup of warm water. You then will want to gargle the mixture as you would your mouthwash. You will then want to spit, rinse, and repeat.
Pickle Juice
Pickle juice contains both salt and vinegar. Both are known to help relieve the pain and irritation of sore throat. In order to use this all natural method, simply gargle with the pickle juice and rinse. There’s no need to swallow the juice.
Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV)
Apple cider vinegar is known for its detoxification benefits. To get rid of sore throat symptoms, simply drink a half a cup of ACV. If the taste is too much for you, dilute it with a bit of warm water and sweet honey.
Teas
We all know tea has a soothing effect on the throat. However, not all teas are created the same. The absolute best types of teas for a sore throat are licorice root, cinnamon, and ginger. These particular teas are known to have the best warming and soothing qualities.
Hydrogen Peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide is known to fight off bacteria and infections. This is why our parents used it on cuts and scrapes when we were children. To use hydrogen peroxide for a sore throat, add about a cap-full into a glass of warm water. Do not drink this mixture; instead use it as a gargle.
Rest and Liquids
Rest is imperative if you ever want to heal from a sore throat. You need to give your body time to recuperate and get back into business. Make sure you’re taking it easy when you’re sick. Also, make sure you’re drinking lots of water and clear fluids to avoid dehydration.
Other Alternative Remedies
Cayenne Powder
Cayenne powder has this secret little ingredient called capsaicin. Capsaicin is an all-natural pain reliever and anti-inflammatory. When your throat feels like it’s on fire, have cayenne come to the rescue. To use cayenne, simply mix half a teaspoon of the powder in with some warm water. Gargle and repeat until the pain subsides.
Garlic
Though the taste of garlic is not too appealing, it really is a great all natural way to kick your sore throat to the curb. Garlic contains allicin which is a compound that fights off bacteria. In order to use garlic, simply cut a clove in half and stick the clove against your cheek for about ten minutes at a time.
Vitamin C
A daily dosage of vitamin C is known to help keep a cold or sore throat at bay. However, it also can help relieve the pain of a sore throat that is already wreaking havoc. In order to reduce sore throat symptoms, take vitamin C three times per day. It will help boost your immune system and fight the infection off.
These all-natural sore throat healers are inexpensive and the ingredients can be found in the common kitchen or bathroom medicine cabinet. Many countries have these common ear, nose and throat infections, that's why they now have clinics to treat it like the one built by the ENT specialist from Singapore.
Sources Cited
Lilley, Jennifer. “Seven Natural Remedies to Ease a Sore Throat.”NaturalNews. Natural News, 5 Feb. 2015. Web. 12 Feb. 2015.