A sore throat is usually not a sign of a serious illness, but that doesn't mean it makes it easier to deal with. The best way to relieve itching or dryness in the throat is to drink plenty of fluids. Water is the most important fluid, but soothing solutions such as honey and chili tea, garlic broth, and chamomile tea also contain beneficial ingredients that will relieve pain and help speed the healing of a sore throat. Throat sprays and lozenges are great for pain relief, and steam therapy is a great way to deal with irritation and help you relax so you can sleep well. If you're ready to try anything to get rid of an itchy throat, keep reading.
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Method 1 of 3: Try Gargling, Scrubbing, and Spraying
Step 1. Gargle with warm salt water
This is the oldest form of treatment for sore throats, and is very effective. When your throat hurts, the mucous membranes swell and become inflamed, causing pain and itching. The salt will draw water from the mucous membrane cells, reducing swelling and helping soothe your throat. Make brine by mixing 1/2 teaspoon of table salt with 1 cup of warm water.
- Don't just rinse your mouth with salt water-gargle with it. Tilt your head and make sure the salt water touches the back of your throat, as this is where the inflammation is. Gargle for about 30 seconds before the salt water is spit out.
- You can gargle with salt water up to 3 times a day. Use more often than that can make the mucous membranes too dry, adding to the irritation.
Step 2. Make a hydrogen peroxide solution
Hydrogen peroxide is a mild antiseptic that can relieve throat irritation. This compound is available in bottled form at pharmacies. To make the solution, follow the directions on the package, which usually directs you to dilute one capful of hydrogen peroxide in one cup of water. Put this solution in your mouth and gargle so that it touches the back of your throat. Discard after one minute.
- Use a 3% hydrogen peroxide solution. This level should be clearly stated on the packaging you buy.
- Hydrogen peroxide has a bitter taste. You can add a little honey to make it taste better.
Step 3. Use a liniment
Vapor rub contains aromatic decongestant ingredients such as menthol and peppermint that soothe the throat and help relieve coughs. This decongestant can also be mixed with petroleum jelly to make an ointment. Choose an over-the-counter ointment and apply it to your throat and chest to help clear your breath and relieve coughs. You can also make your own liniment in the following ways:
- Melt 1 tablespoon of beeswax in a double pan.
- Add 1/2 cup coconut oil.
- Add 10 drops of peppermint oil.
- Pour the mixture into a glass container and allow it to cool before using.
Step 4. Make the mustard plaster
Using a plaster to soothe a sore throat and ease breathing is an old home remedy. This method is especially useful if you have a severe cough and pain that radiates to your chest. Mustard powder is believed to provide warmth and circulation to the chest and throat.
- Mix 1/2 teaspoon mustard seed powder and 1 tablespoon flour. Add enough water to make a thick paste.
- Spread this mixture on a paper towel. Place a tissue between two clean sheets of cloth, such as a dish towel.
- Place the tape over your throat and chest, making sure the mustard mixture doesn't touch your skin directly.
- Leave the tape on your chest and throat for 15 minutes, or until your skin is warm and red.
Step 5. Use a throat spray or lozenge
Throat sprays and lozenges contain ingredients that can help soothe the throat and open the nasal passages. Look for lozenges made from honey that contain menthol or peppermint. You can also buy a medicated spray or lozenge, which contains a mild anesthetic to numb your throat and relieve pain.
Step 6. Take pain medication
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen or paracetamol can help relieve the inflammation that causes a sore throat. Make sure you don't take more than the recommended dose on the package.
- Aspirin has been linked to a rare condition called Reye's syndrome, so be careful when giving it to children.
- Children and adolescents who are recovering from the flu or chickenpox should not be given aspirin.
Method 2 of 3: Drink Calming Fluids
Step 1. Make a chili honey drink
Honey is an important ingredient to include in teas and other drinks you make when you have a sore throat. Research supports the treatment that people have discovered over the centuries: honey can coat the throat and relieve inflammation, as well as help suppress coughs. Chili is an ingredient that can also fight sore throats: it contains capsaicin, a natural ingredient that is beneficial for pain relief.
- Make a healthy, comforting drink by adding 1/2 teaspoon of chili powder and 1 teaspoon of honey to 1 cup of boiling water. Let it cool, then drink slowly.
- If you can't stand the hot taste of chili, reduce the amount of chili to 1/8 teaspoon or even less.
- Honey should not be given to children under 1 year of age as it is known to cause infant botulism.
- If you replace the chili with 30 ml of whiskey and add a little lemon, this drink will be a hot toddy.
Step 2. Make chamomile tea
Scientific research has shown that chamomile, a fragrant flowering herb that has been used for centuries to treat sore throats and fevers, actually contains ingredients that fight infection and relax muscles. By boiling a few cups of chamomile tea daily, you will be able to relieve a sore throat and feel more relaxed at the same time. Chamomile tea is very soothing, especially if taken before bed, because it is also beneficial for making sleep more sound.
- Chamomile tea is widely available in supermarkets. Check the ingredients, and choose a tea that contains pure chamomile flowers, or one that contains chamomile flowers as its main ingredient. Follow the instructions given to brew your tea.
- Add a tablespoon of honey and lemon juice (as an astringent that helps reduce swollen tissue) to add to the benefits of your tea.
Step 3. Try the garlic broth
Garlic is believed to have antiseptic and antibacterial properties, it is also able to fight infection and strengthen the immune system. Although its health benefits have not been supported by scientific research, many holistic health practitioners suggest garlic as a sore throat reliever and fights respiratory infections.
- Make a savory garlic broth to relieve throat irritation by peeling and crushing 2 cloves of garlic and pouring one cup of boiling water over them. Add a pinch of salt to make this drink even more beneficial for your throat.
- If you like the taste of garlic, you can get the same benefits by simply peeling a clove of garlic, pressing it until it crumbles, and sucking on it for a few minutes.
Step 4. Drink licorice and cinnamon tea
Licorice contains a chemical that is thought to relieve sore throats by thinning the mucous membranes and reducing swelling. However, licorice-flavoured candy does not contain enough levels, you can get it when you make licorice tea from dried licorice root. Cinnamon has natural antibacterial properties and can make licorice tea taste better.
- To make a delicious drink, mix 1 tablespoon of licorice root and 1/2 tablespoon of cinnamon together with 2 cups of cold water in a saucepan. Bring this mixture to a boil, then let it sit for 10 minutes. Strain into a cup and enjoy.
- Add a little honey or lemon juice to make this drink even more healthy.
Step 5. Drink ginger water
You may already know that ginger can help relieve an upset stomach, but did you know that this beneficial herb can also soothe a sore throat? Ginger can open sinus passages and help clear the nose and throat, as well as having anti-inflammatory properties. Use fresh ginger for maximum benefits, not dry ginger or ground ginger.
Peel and chop 2.5 cm of fresh ginger. Put it in a cup and pour a cup of boiling water over it. Leave for 3 minutes, then strain, and drink. You can add honey, lemon, or a pinch of chili powder to taste
Step 6. Make chicken soup
If you're looking for another throat soother with a nice, savory taste, you can make plain chicken soup. Recent scientific research has shown that chicken soup actually contains ingredients that cure infections and soothe the airways – chicken soup is not just a myth. Because it contains a lot of nutrients, chicken soup is a great choice if you don't feel hungry enough for a big meal.
- Be sure to make your own chicken soup from fresh chicken, or buy from a place that cooks it using fresh chicken. Canned chicken soup is less likely to have the same health benefits as fresh chicken soup.
- If you want, you can filter the solids and drink only the broth.
Method 3 of 3: Taking Care of Your Body
Step 1. Drink plenty of water
The water will help restore your body and moisturize the sore throat. Use warm water which will help you soothe the sore throat. Cold water will actually make a sore throat worse, not help.
Step 2. Get plenty of rest
If you wake up early and go to bed too late to complete tasks, your body won't have time to heal. If you don't want your sore throat to develop into the flu or a cold, you should rest and get a good night's sleep.
- When you feel your throat starting to hurt, rest throughout the day. Drink plenty of water, eat healthy food, and don't go out at night.
- Maybe you also need time off so you can rest. If that's not possible, find time during the day to take a nap and rest for 15 minutes.
Step 3. Take a bath or soak in warm water
The warm steam will moisten your dry, irritated throat and help relieve pain and respiratory congestion. Try to inhale the vapor through your nose and mouth so that it enters your throat and nasal passages.
- If you decide to take a warm bath, add some herbs and essential oils to the bath. Try a few drops of peppermint or eucalyptus oil to help soothe your throat like a liniment does.
- If you just want a quick steamy shower and not a soak, close the bathroom door and turn on the hot water tap to generate steam. Stand or sit in the shower and inhale the steam for 5 to 10 minutes.
- You can also steam your face by boiling a pot of hot water. Turn off the heat, put a towel over your head, then place your face over the pot so the steam will reach your nose and throat.
Step 4. Turn on the humidifier
If the air in your home is dry, your throat may hurt even more. A humidifier will regulate the humidity in the air, so the air will be more comfortable for the soft tissues and membranes in the throat that need to stay moist to stay healthy. Humidifiers are especially useful during winter, when the air tends to be drier.
Step 5. Make a warm compress for your throat
Sometimes, a little warmth can relieve a sore throat more effectively than other medications. Run hot water over the cloth, wring it out, fold it, and place it over your throat until the cloth cools down. The heat in the cloth will help improve circulation in the throat and help reduce swelling a little.
- Make sure not to injure your skin. The water you use should not be so hot that it injures the skin when placed in the throat.
- You can also use a warm water bottle to keep your throat warm longer.
Step 6. Stay away from ingredients and substances that irritate the throat
Make sure your home environment is free of chemicals that further irritate the throat. When you inhale harsh chemicals and pungent odors, your throat can swell and itch. Clear the air you breathe from the following irritants:
- Chemical perfumes, such as those in cleaning fluids, room fresheners, body perfumes, scented candles, and other scented materials in the home.
- Cleaning agents such as bleach, window cleaners, and detergents.
- Cigarette smoke and other smoke.
- Allergens like dust, cat dander, pollen, mold, and anything else that triggers your allergies.
Step 7. Stay away from other people
Sore throats may be contagious. So, rest at home if you can to avoid spreading the disease. In fact, just coughing can make everyone in the room catch the disease.
- If you can't rest at home, try wearing a mask that covers your nose and mouth. Avoid coughing around other people, and cover your mouth when talking around other people. Instead, stand as far away from other people as possible.
- Even if you are only experiencing the initial symptoms of a sore throat, it is best to avoid kissing or hugging other people.
Step 8. Know when to see a doctor
If your sore throat doesn't go away on its own after a few days and new symptoms appear, make an appointment with your doctor to see if your illness is more serious than the common cold. You may have a viral or bacterial infection (in the form of strep throat, chickenpox, flu, or other infections) that cannot be cured without proper treatment. If you experience any of the following problems, see your doctor as soon as possible.
- Difficulty breathing or swallowing
- Joint pain
- Earache
- Rash
- Lump on neck
- Fever over 38°C
- Blood in phlegm
Tips
- Avoid sugar, as sugar can irritate the throat.
- Make a very hot herbal tea, and before drinking, allow the steam to rise to your face until it is cool enough to drink.
- Use only a small amount of the special ingredient, as too much of it can cause throat irritation.
- Gargle with coconut oil and warm water (add honey or ginger, or lemon).
- When taking a warm bath, try to inhale some of the warm air and then exhale it again. This method can relieve your breathing a little.
- Use a nasal spray! This tool is very useful if there is fluid coming out of your nose.
- If your throat is sore for more than 5 days, you should see a doctor. Maybe you have strep throat, swollen tonsils, or another infection in your throat.
- Take longer hot showers to relieve muscle tension, improve blood flow, and loosen mucus in the nasal cavity and throat.
- If you also have a stuffy nose, make sure to blow the fluid out (blow your nose gently by pressing on one nostril and expelling the contents of the other), don't inhale. Inhaling will only keep the mucus in your body.
- Rest your voice-don't talk!
- Make warm oatmeal that will feel very comfortable in your throat.
- If you have repeated sore throats, change your toothbrush. Chances are you're infecting yourself. Germs can live on the bristles of your toothbrush, so you can become infected again.
- Eat citrus fruits or pomegranates to help increase your vitamin C intake.
- Mix honey and lime into boiling water. Drink, and take time off so you don't get stressed. Get some rest in bed, and do the day's homework beforehand so you don't have to worry anymore. Watch a movie and rest.
- Don't scream! Yelling can make a sore throat worse. Rest your throat. Drink warm drinks and lozenges regularly.
- Don't do anything that will stretch your throat, such as singing. Don't force your voice as it may be permanently damaged.
Warning
- Most sore throats, while bothersome, are common. However, a sore throat that is prolonged or repeated can be a sign of a serious problem. If you have a severe sore throat and it doesn't improve within a few days, talk to your doctor. The doctor will check for bacteria in your throat, by taking a small sample from the back of your throat and checking for the presence of streptococcus bacteria.
- If your sore throat is accompanied by neck and muscle stiffness, don't wait any longer. See a doctor, you may have a cold.
