Best home remedy for sore throat and dry cough

The invasion of foreign particles causes swelling and inflammation of the mucous membranes inside the throat which leads to soreness. It also causes consistent dry cough which ultimately leads to pain, swelling, scratchiness, hoarse voice and swollen red tonsils.

If you are looking for an easy home remedy to get rid of sore throat, this article brings you 5 such home remedies to soothe inflamed irritated throat:

Are You Suffering From Painful Sore Throat? Checkout Our Wide Range Of Mint Teas And Lozenges To Soothe The Irritated Throat

Turmeric Milk:

Loaded with antioxidants, turmeric milk or as popularly called golden milk is extremely beneficial for cold and cough symptoms. This traditional remedy helps in alleviating microbes from the body and bolsters the immunity naturally. When drunk regularly, it reduces pain and inflammation from a sore throat.

Also Read: Turmeric - The Spice Of Life For This Monsoon Season

Salt Water

Let’s agree most of us have switched to gargling salt water whenever we catch a cold or have a sore throat. Gargling with a concoction of warm water infused with salts helps flush out bacteria, clear nasal congestion, and provide relief from sore throat and pain caused while swallowing food.

Peppermint Tea

The potent anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties of peppermint are extremely beneficial for cold and sore throat. A cup of hot peppermint tea acts as a diffuser and helps to clear phlegm deposits, naturally numb the throat and provide quick relief from pain and swelling.

Lozenge

Most of us love to suck on some lozenges when suffering from cough and cold. These over the counter lozenges mostly contain menthol as a bioactive ingredient that numbs the throat pain and provide temporary respite from the scratchy sensation. Apart from medicated lozenges, even flavoured candies and cough drops provide relief for a short amount of time they increase saliva production and keep the throat lubricated.

Raw Garlic

Chewing on raw garlic can be extremely beneficial in subsiding the throat pain. The bioactive component allicin released from garlic is laden with powerful anti-microbial properties, that kill germs and bacteria from the throat and subsequently soothes the inflamed throat. You can also add honey to the garlic cloves to avoid the smell and speed up the recovery.

Conclusion

A sore throat can be extremely painful and even affect your sleep. It will come along with pain, swelling, and itchiness. Sipping on some hot tea, gargling with salt water or sucking on some garlic cubes or lozenges are some of the quick remedies to subdue the pain and provide relief from sore throat.

A common sore throat is caused by a viral infection and goes away eventually – but while you’re waiting, there are things you can do to relieve the pain.

The remedy is more than stocking your medicine cabinet with over-the-counter remedies that temporarily soothe the pain. There are other easy, affordable at-home remedies that people of all ages can use to relieve a sore throat using ingredients you likely already have in your pantry.

Home Remedies for Sore Throat for Adults

• Soup broth - traditional soups might be hard on a sore throat, but a warm (not hot) broth can soothe the throat and go down easy.
• Throat lozenges or cough drops - these stimulate saliva production which coats the throat and keeps it moist, easing sore throat pain on contact.
• Saltwater gargle - mix one teaspoon of table salt with 8 ounces of warm water. Gargle the mixture for 15 to 30 seconds, then spit it out. Add one half-teaspoon baking soda with the saltwater to kill bacteria as well.
• Tea with honey - combine the soothing capabilities of honey with the warmness of tea to ease your throat discomfort. Chamomile tea is preferred – one, for taste, and two, for its astringent and anti-inflammatory properties. Add some lemon juice to your tea for an extra kick of vitamin C.
• Ibuprofen or acetaminophen - these over-the-counter medications can reduce throat pain. Ask your doctor about these medications first if you have high blood pressure or any heart condition.
• Licorice root - mixed with water to create a gargle solution, licorice root has been seen to soothe throats and reduce coughing – look into making licorice root tea!
• Sage and Echinacea - according to one study, Echinacea/sage spray was just as effective at soothing a sore throat as traditional over-the-counter throat sprays. Seen as a bit more of a preventative supplement, echinacea (by itself) can still be useful in treating your cough from the inside out – helping break up mucus coughs and is a remedy for sore throats and even a runny nose.
• Marshmallow root - A 2005 study found that an herbal cough syrup containing marshmallow root was effective in treating coughs due to colds and bronchitis.
• Apple cider vinegar - while not the most pleasant way, but a tablespoon can help. It contains acetic acids, which research shows are antimicrobial, meaning it kills pathogens that cause infections leading to cough.
• Cayenne pepper - Just mix a teaspoon with 8 ounces of water. While it sounds counterintuitive, cayenne peppers are packed with vitamin C and is a natural analgesic (pain reliever) as it coats and soothe your throat (after the initial burn). Along with treating sore throats, it can also help with a stuffy nose helping to break up the mucous in your nose and throat. J
• Essential oils - certain natural oils, like those of nutmeg, bergamot, and cypress, all contain camphene, which has a cooling, refreshing effect.

Home Remedies for Young Children

Depending on the age of your child, they may be too small to have lozenges or hard candies. Furthermore, they may not be ready for some of the more well-known adult remedies we listed above that can soothe their throat. If that’s the case, try one of these:

• Popsicles - the coldness of a popsicle may temporarily numb the throat.
• Cold liquids - try ice water or milk, but stay away from acidic drinks like orange juice or soft drinks.
• Bromelain, a digestive enzyme found in pineapples, is a tasty way to relieve a dry cough.
• Throat spray - check the medication’s label to ensure your child is old enough to take an over-the-counter throat spray. Most medications should be recommended by your doctor if your child is under the age of 2.
• Honey - Honey has been known to soothe a sore throat, tame a nighttime cough, and speed up healing. In fact, a study from the Mayo Clinic says that honey is just as effective as dextromethorphan, a common over-the-counter cough medicine, at treating a cough!
• Peppermint - the American Cancer Society states that sprays containing peppermint oil (an "essential oil") may relieve the pain of a sore throat.
• Humidifier - the best way to soothe a sore throat is to keep it moist. Having a humidifier keeps the air from becoming too dry and helps keep your throat and mucous membranes moist.
• Children's acetaminophen - acetaminophen is the active ingredient here and a common sore throat remedy. In children's medicine, it is given in safe dosages.
• Mild hot sauce - similar to the cayenne pepper remedy for adults, use a hot sauce containing cayenne for a milder effect that comes in a liquid form, rather than using powdered cayenne methods.

Many articles and blogs online claim that taking colloidal silver can be a remedy for sore throats. GoHealth Urgent Care and the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health have seen no quality studies on the health effects of taking colloidal silver and have only noted how dangerous it is to your health and well-being.

When Pain Relief Is Not Enough

As mentioned earlier, common sore throats tend to go away on their own. If you experience any of these symptoms of strep throat, however, you may need a prescription for an antibiotic. If none of these at-home remedies are helping after 48 hours, you can save your spot online at a GoHealth Urgent Care center near you!

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