5 Natural Remedies for a Sore Throat

Does your throat feel scratchy or sore? Whether it’s from a cold, allergies or just talking too much, here are five natural remedies to help your throat feel better. 

1. Drink Warm Tea

The warmth from a hot cup of gourmet tea can instantly soothe a sore throat. In fact, many teas offer additional benefits aside from being a tasty warm drink. Herbal tea, such as chamomile tea, act as a natural lubricant for a dry throat, while peppermint tea has numbing qualities. Additionally, raspberry tea, green tea and clove tea are considered to have anti-inflammatory and antibacterial qualities to help fight off whatever is irritating your throat. If you like the taste of citrus, add a slice of fresh lemon to your tea, too. Lemon is packed with vitamin C, which helps boost your immune system. Increasing your fluid intake is always a smart idea when you aren’t feeling well, and tea helps change things up when you get bored with water. 

2. Run a Humidifier

In addition to increasing your fluid intake, adding moisture into the air also helps soothe an irritated throat. Your sinuses and throat are protected by mucus membranes that get irritated when dried out. This can happen for many reasons, including running the heater or air conditioning for extended periods of time. Run a humidifier in your home or office to increase the water vapor in the air and help you feel better. 

3. Gargle With Salt Water

Another way to increase fluid in your throat is to add half a teaspoon of salt to a glass of water and gargle. While you don’t want to drink it, gargling and rinsing with salt water can help make your throat feel better. Salt provides a natural antibacterial directly to the source of your pain while helping to clear out any mucus that may be stuck in your throat.

4. Avoid Crunchy Food

While it’s important to eat and drink when sick, a sore throat often makes it painful to swallow something as basic as water. This can make it difficult to get enough calories to help your body remain strong, so it’s a good idea to choose foods that are soft and easy to swallow, such as soup, mashed potatoes and cooked pasta. Avoiding hard foods like chips, nuts and fried foods keeps you from accidentally scratching and irritating your throat even more. 

5. Swallow Some Honey

If you find your throat still feels sore, this sweet remedy can be taken straight from a spoon or mixed in with warm water or tea. Taking two teaspoons several times a day can make you feel better as it coats and protects your throat. Honey is also known to have antibacterial properties, so if a bacterial infection causes your tenderness, honey may help get rid of it faster than medication alone.  

Having a sore throat is never any fun. Fortunately, there are several things you can do to help it feel better. Drinking warm tea with honey or lemon, using a humidifier, gargling with salt water and avoiding hard foods are all ways to help you feel better faster.