Sore throat is usually common and most of us experience it at some point of the time. It may follow a cold or may also be followed by a cold, cough or any infection in the chest. To know about how long sore throat take to heal and also about some of the ways to get rid of it naturally; all you need is go through an eye read on this article.
How Long Does Sore Throat Take to Heal?
Sore throat is generally contagious and spreads by droplet infection via sneezing and coughing. Though most commonly a sore throat is caused by a viral infection, it may also be caused by bacterial infection. Generally symptoms of sore throat include pain and scratchy sensation in the throat, sore swollen glands in your neck and jaw, difficulty swallowing, swollen and red tonsils, hoarse voice etc. Microscopic examination of the throat swab confirms about the causative organism of sore throat.
Sore throat caused by viral infections generally goes away or heals in 5 to 7 days. However, if the cause of your sore throat is a bacterial infection then you will feel better only after taking a course of antibiotics for at least 3 days. It is also essential for you to take antibiotics after feeling better in case of bacterial infection in sore throat.
Ways to Get Rid of Sore Throat Naturally
It must be mentioned that sore throat is too common and thus most of the times, there are many individuals who look for home remedies or natural ways to get rid of it.
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Gargle With Warm Salt Water:
Gargling with warm salt water is one of the most effective ways to get rid of sore throat naturally. In case of sore throat, the cells in the mucous membranes become swollen and inflamed. By gargling with warm salt water, you decrease the swelling, as salts primary function is to draw water. This in turn shrinks the swollen cell and eases the pain in sore throat. This also aids wash away the excess mucous and allows your stuffy nose so as to drain properly.
You will require one cup of warm water and half teaspoon of table salt. All you need is heat water until it is warm and thoroughly mix in salt and gargle the warm salt water. Repeating this 3 times in a day would help you greatly.
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Prepare and Enjoy A Hot Toddy to Get Rid of Sore Throat:
Usually a Hot Toddy aids a sore throat; especially one accompanied by a cold. This is because, the honey and lemon soothes your throat; while alcohol aids you sleep. For this, you will require 2 oz bourbon or whiskey, 1 tablespoon of honey, 4 ounces of hot water, 1 teaspoon of lemon juice and 1 slice of fresh lemon. If you want to use this natural remedy for sore throat then you need to pour the alcohol in to a large mug, add honey and leave the spoon in the mug. Then pour the hot water in to the mug, being sure that it gets the last bit of honey off the spoon. Then, add the lemon juice and stir it well. Place this mug in the microwave and heat until it is hot(for at least 1 minute). You can add some lemon slice and enjoy the hot toddy.
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Apple Cider Vinegar Drink For Sore Throat:
One more way to get rid of sore throat naturally is to have ACV. Apple cider vinegar drink has high levels of acidity that can kill bacteria pretty efficiently and when it is mixed with honey, it can soothe the sore throat as well.
For preparing Apple Cider Vinegar drink, you would require 1 tablespoon of Apple Cider Vinegar, 1 tablespoon of honey, 1 cup of warm water. You would have to mix the Apple cider vinegar and honey in to very warm water and drink it while it is still warm. You can also go for gargling by mixing 2 tablespoon of ACV with ½ cup of warm water.
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Marshmallow:
Marshmallow herb or its root is known to be successful in treating sore throat since ages in North America and Europe. This is because it contains mucilage which aids in coating and soothing mucus membranes present in the throat.
However be sure that in case you have diabetes, you must consult with your doctor before making use of Marshmallow root; as it might lower your blood sugar.
You would require 1 tablespoon of dried marshmallow root, 1 cup of boiling water for preparing this remedy. Just put one tablespoon of dried marshmallow root in a mug and pour boiling water over it. Cover and steep for 30 to 60 minutes before straining and drinking.
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Garlic:
Garlic is actually one more natural remedy to treat sore throat. This is because of the presence of a compound allicin in garlic that can kill the bacteria that causes strep or sore and fight the germs causing irritation and pain.
You need only one fresh clove of garlic, sliced in half and placed one piece in each cheek and suck on it just like a cough drop. You can occasionally also crush your teeth against it so as to release the allicin compound out of it. You can try this at least once in a day
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Cayenne Pepper:
One more natural remedy to get rid of sore throat is drinking warm water with cayenne pepper, that would actually make you feel better. Cayenne pepper contains capsaicin or a compound that relieves pain temporarily, just like aspirin does. It accomplishes this by hindering something known as substance P, which is what transmits pain signals to your brain. Thus, the discomfort or pain from your sore throat gets diluted when coming in contact with the Cayenne and quickly to boot.
You would require ½ teaspoon of Cayenne pepper, 1 cup of boiling water and 1 teaspoon of honey to prepare this remedy. Simply add ½ teaspoon of Cayenne pepper to 1 cup of boiling water. Stir in the honey and wait until the mixture is warm and you need to drink it all throughout the day. However, make sure to stir the mixture frequently as the Cayenne pepper tends to settle.
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Licorice Root Tea:
By drinking tea prepared from licorice root, you can naturally get some relief from sore throat. Licorice root contains anti-viral and anti-inflammatory properties which aids in reducing swelling and irritation and also soothes the mucous membranes present in your throat.
You will require 1 cup of chopped dry licorice root, 1.2 cup of cinnamon chips, 2 tablespoon of whole cloves, ½ cup of chamomile flowers to prepare this natural Licorice root tea. All you need is to mix all the ingredients in a bowl thoroughly. Store it in a glass jar, away from heat and light. In order to prepare the tea, you would have to combine 3 tablespoons of the tea mix, and 21/2 cup of cold water in a saucepan and then bring it to boil over medium heat, then reduce to low and then simmer for about 10 minutes. Pour in to a mug through a strainer, and sip the tea.
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Chamomile Tea For Sore Throat:
Chamomile tea is one more natural remedy to treat sore throats. The components present in chamomile kill off bacteria, while it works as a natural pain-killer. Moreover, it also has anti-spasmodic properties which can aid you rest as it relaxes your muscles. Overall, chamomile tea could be one of the most soothing herbs that can work like a wonder in providing you relief in sore throat.
You will require 1 bag of chamomile tea, 1 cup of boiling water for preparing this remedy. When the water is boiled, pour in to your mug and add the tea bag. Cover and let steep for about 10 minutes. Add a bit of honey and lemon in case you like. Drink as much required for you.
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Baking Soda to Get Rid of Sore Throat Naturally:
Baking soda is sometimes regarded as a simple and effective home remedy for sore throats. This is because it comprises of antibacterial properties which could aid in killing off the infections in your throat. Moreover because it is slightly alkaline in nature, it soothes minor skin irritation and thus will also act in getting rid of swollen tissues in your throat.
In order to make use of this home remedy, you will require 1 cup of warm water, ½ teaspoon of salt, ½ teaspoon or a little less of baking soda. Just heat the water till it gets warm and then mix ½ teaspoon of salt and ½ teaspoon of baking soda; stir it well. Gargle with this liquid, at least 3 times in a day.
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Honeysuckle:
Honeysuckle is one of those plants which are known to be extremely effective in easing coughs, sore throat and symptoms of flu. It flushes toxins out of your body’s bloodstream and acts as an anti-inflammatory so as to aid reduce the swelling tissue in your throats. In order to enjoy the benefits of honeysuckle, you need to simply brew a fresh cup of hot tea.
For preparing tea out of honey suckle, you will require 2 cups of Honeysuckle flowers and leaves, 1 quart of water. Once you have the leaves and flower, simmer them in one quart of boiling water at least for about 10 minutes and then strain, and add honey or lemon in case you like.
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Ginger Tea:
One more effective natural remedy to get rid of sore throat is ginger. Ginger is packed with properties that would chase away the pain. It is an excellent remedy for cold and also sore throat. Ginger is an expectorant which means that it aids loosen and expels mucus from your respiratory system, including the extra mucus present in your throat. Gingers helps in enhancing your blood circulation in the body and thus increasing oxygen supply to the cells, flushing out toxins and speeding up the process of healing. Above all, ginger acts as an anti-inflammatory and fights off bad bacteria too. Moreover, you will really enjoy a cup of warm, soothing ginger tea.
You will require 2 inches long, ginger root, honey, 2-3 cups of water, wax paper, for preparing this natural remedy for sore throat. Simply wash the ginger thoroughly and then peel. Slice it in to small pieces, place it on a cutting board and cover it with a piece of wax paper. Now, crush it using a knife. Boil your water over medium heat and then add the crushed ginger. Let it boil for about 5 minutes and then take a cup and enjoy it by adding some honey or other flavorings which you like. You can strain it before drinking the tea.
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Slippery Elm:
Slippery elm can also be effective in healing sore throat naturally at home. This has a mucus-like substance in it. So, when it is mixed with water, it forms a sick gel that coats as well as soothes the throat.
In order to make use of this remedy for sore throat you need to pour boiling water over powdered bark, stir and then drink. You may also find that slippery elm lozenges help get rid of sore throat. Though slippery elm is a traditional remedy for sore throat, still more research is required to prove its benefits.
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Fenugreek:
Fenugreek has got a lot of health benefits. It also has many forms. You can eat either fenugreek seeds, use the topical oil of fenugreek or drink fenugreek tea. In fact Fenugreek tea is a great natural remedy to get rid of sore throats.
Research has shown the healing powers of fenugreek. It can relieve pain and kill bacteria that cause irritation and inflammation. Fenugreek is also an effective antifungal remedy. However, it must be noted that pregnant women should avoid Fenugreek.
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Peppermint For Sore Throat:
One more remedy for healing sore throat naturally could be peppermint. It is also known to freshen your breath. Diluted peppermint oil sprays may also relive sore throats. Peppermint contains menthol which aids thin mucus and calm sore throats as well as coughs. Peppermint also contains anti inflammatory, anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties; which may improve healing.
It must be noted that you must never use essential oils without mixing them with a carrier oil like sweet almond oil, olive oil or softened coconut oil. In order to use peppermint oil, mix five drops of the oil with one ounce of the carrier oil of your choice. Make sure never to ingest essential oils.
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Honey For Sore Throat:
Honey is known to be very effective in treating sore throat. Honey mixed in tea or taken on its own is one of the most common household remedy for a sore throat. One study has found that honey was even more effective at taming nighttime cough than most common cough suppressants. Other research shows that honey is an effective wound healer, and thus it may speed healing for sore throats. Mix 1 table spoon of honey to half tea spoon of pepper powder to get relief from sore throat
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Pomegranates:
Pomegranates can aid in fighting off infection of sore throats. It fight off infection with anti-oxidants while they also contain astringents or a substance that causes contraction of body tissue, so that they will aid the swelling in your throat go down which in turn reduces the pain in sore throat. You can utilize these properties of pomegranate either by making pomegranate tea and drinking or gargling it or drinking the pomegranate juice.
You will require 1 pomegranate, 3-4 cups of water or one or more bottles of pomegranate juice to prepare the tea. In order to prepare the pomegranate tea, simply peel the pomegranate and collect its rinds. Boil the rinds for about 15 minutes or so in 3-4 cups of water. Drink this tea, or gargle for about 30 seconds. You can get the rinds in advance and then dry them in an airtight jar away from direct sunlight. This way, you have them on hand for use while you get sick. You must drink the tea or gargle at least 3 times in a day for best benefits in sore throat.
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Cloves For Getting Rid of Sore Throat Naturally:
Cloves are used for centuries, especially in Traditional Chinese Medicine; but they are not used nearly as much nowadays. Still, cloves were often used to ease pain in the mouth, and throat. The reason behind this is that they work as a pain killer because of the substance Eugenol in it. Eugenol can be a natural pain killer and can also act as an anti-bacterial as well.
Chewing on whole clove will slowly release Eugenol and this hopefully numbs the pain in your throat while you have sore throat. Make sure that you are not substituting clove oil for whole cloves, as it may cause stomach upset.
Just pop a clove or two cloves into your mouth and suck on it until it becomes soft and then chew it. You can also swallow it afterwards as it is not harmful.
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Gargle With Sage:
One more ways to get rid of sore throat naturally is to gargle with sage. Sage was used medicinally for a long time. Sage is an astringent, which means it causes body tissues to contract, which means that it can aid in reducing swelling of sore throat. As the tissues at the back of your throat get swollen when you are sick, you can see why safe could be very useful here. It is also known that the phenolic acids present in the sage are known to fight and kill off the bad bacteria that could be the culprit to your symptoms in sore throat. In such a case, the best way to use sage is in the form of a gargle.
You will require one cup of boiling water, 2 teaspoons sage leaves which may be either dried or fresh leaves, ¼ ounce salt to prepare this remedy. Simply boil your water and then pour it over the sage in a mug. Cover and steep for at least 20 minutes. Then, strain it off, add salt and gargle as required all throughout the day
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Steam Inhalation-An Effective Natural Remedy to Get Rid of Sore Throat:
Steam can actually ease a sore throat, especially the one that hurts because of dryness-shorten its duration, and make it easier to breathe in case you are congested.
There are several ways you can use steam as a remedy at home to getting rid of sore throat. You will require 1 medium or large bowl, enough hot water so as to fill your bowl at least halfway, one towel, and optionally, Eucalyptus oil. Simply, boil a pot of water. Lean over the bowl so that you can completely inhale the rising steam; however you do not have to stick your face right up to it. Drape the towel over your head so as to create a tent for the steam. If needed, ad a drop or few drops of eucalyptus oil that would make it more soothing.
Alternatively you can also take a hot shower and let the bathroom steam up which can provide your enough relief in sore throat.
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Other Ways to Get Rid of Sore Throat Naturally:
Take Enough Rest and Plenty of Fluids:
Along with all the remedies, it is essential for you to drink plenty of fluid and take enough of rest so as to get rid of sore throat and the associated symptoms at a quicker rate. You can take orange juice, herbal tea, or simple water for enough of fluids to enter your body and take some good rest reading, or enjoying a good book, or soothing music. Now that sounds really great!
Take Spicy Foods to Get Rid of Sore Throat Naturally:
Spicy foods from outside must be avoided when you have sore throat. However, spicy home remedy that aids relieving the pain of a sore throat is obviously essential. Cinnamon can be used here to get rid of sore throat naturally. This is because it is extremely high in anti-oxidants, and because its aroma often times aids to open up the sinuses, which reduces the mucus production and aids you breathe a little easier.
You can straightly mix cinnamon powder in to water and prepare your herbal cinnamon tea and drink it at least 2-3 times in a day. You can add honey for a good taste.
Take Foods and Drinks at Moderate Temperature:
One more way to get rid of sore throat naturally is take foods or drinks at moderate temperature, i.e. not very cold nor very hot. This would help you avoid aggravating your sore throat further.
Hydrogen For Getting Rid of Sore Throat:
Hydrogen peroxide helps in killing off of bacteria and clean out cuts to stave off infection. Keeping this in mind, we may also make use of it to get rid of sore throat. You can use hydrogen in form of gargle and relieve sore throat.
For this you would require 3% Hydrogen peroxide, water and a drinking cup. Just pour one cap-full of Hydrogen peroxide in to your drinking cup, warm up some water and dilute the Peroxide with one capful of warm water. Gargle it thoroughly to get rid of the condition quickly.
Avoid Milk or Drink it:
It might look that warm milk might be the perfect thing to ease your sore throat. It is soothing, relaxing and non-irritating and also it is getting fluid inside your body.
However it is not so true for all sorts of sore throats. Especially if your pain comes along with congestion in sore throat, it is best to cut off milk. This is because milk coats your throat which has already excess mucus on it because of the illness. This would increase production of mucus, which will not help at all.
However, in case you have very dry or raw sore throat then some milk along with honey may be just the right thing to soothe it.
Avoid Irritants:
It is better to avoid irritants like smog, fumes, smoke etc so as to keep away from serious symptoms of sore throat. Breathing such things would irritate the soft tissues present at the back of your throat that already is making you sick due to the condition in sore throat. Moreover, caffeine and alcohol can hinder our body’s natural ability to fight off the infection, and this would prolong your sore throat. This is the reason you should avoid these stuff if you have sore throat.
Ways to Get Rid of Sore Throat Naturally in Infants & Children
It is true that sore throat in infants or young children may be very severe and a big reason to worry. However, if there are mild symptoms of sore throat then you may try out the following remedies to treat naturally.
- Add cool mist or a humidifier to the room of your baby or child. This can aid relieve pain from a sore throat.
- Keep children hydrated by encouraging them to drink as much fluid as possible. Avoid juices or popsicles with lots of citrus.
- Make sure that children below 5 years must not be given hard candy cough drops or anything that might have chances of choking risk.
- Keep it noted not to give honey to kids below one year of age.
Conclusion:
We have discussed about some of the ways to get rid of sore throat naturally. It must be noted that natural or home remedies can work in case of mild symptoms of sore throat. However there are some signs and symptoms to be noted in sore throat which require immediate medical attention. For example; in case your child is having difficulty breathing, swallowing or unusual drooling or in case any adult is having symptoms like sore throat lasting longer than a week, difficulty breathing or swallowing, pain in joints, rashes, earaches, fever higher than 101 degree F, blood in saliva or phlegm, frequently recurring sore throat, lump in neck etc.
Take a physician’s advice and treat your sore throat in an effective way as per his or her prescribed treatment, in case natural remedies do not work on your sign and symptoms.
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