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A sore, red and swollen throat can make you feel sick and miserable. Fortunately there are a host of natural sore throat remedies that can get you feeling better fast. The beauty of these natural sore throat remedies is that you can find a lot of the ingredients at home. Unlike conventional medicine these remedies have no nasty side effects, and are safe even for children.
Salt water gargle
Add half teaspoon of salt and a pinch of cayenne pepper to ¼ cup of warm water. Gargle with this mix for a minute or two. Repeat as needed or at least 3 times a day. The cayenne pepper numbs the nerves in the throat and can relieve the pain. The salt and warm water cleanses the throat and rinses away any microbes or toxins.
Ginger syrup
You can buy commercial preparations of ginger syrup which combine ginger, Manuka honey and apple cider vinegar. Alternatively make your own up by adding 1 teaspoon fresh grated ginger to 1 teaspoon of honey with added apple cider vinegar to taste. Sip the syrup straight off the spoon or dissolve it in hot water to soothe the pain and heal the throat.
Hot lemon tea
Squeeze the juice of half a lemon into a cup of hot water. Add some grated ginger, garlic, cayenne and honey to make it even more effective. This is one of the best natural sore throat remedies around, and has the added benefit of killing off the microbes causing the infection.
Steam inhalation
Sit with your head over a bowel of hot water. Cover your head with a towel and breathe deeply for a few minutes. Add a pinch of salt or a teaspoon of tea leaves to boost the steam's cleansing properties. Some of my patients like to add a few drops of an anti-viral oil like tea tree, thyme or eucalyptus oil.
Chicken soup
Make up a big pot of chicken broth. Load it up with lots of garlic, onion, ginger and turmeric to help thin and expel the mucus from your system. This is one of the natural sore throat remedies that can comfort your soul, particularly if it reminds you of your grandmother's home cooking!
Eat lightly
One of the least expensive natural sore throat remedies is your diet. If your throat is really red and swollen do not eat any solid food. Aim for a liquid-only diet of broths, chicken soups, herbal teas and freshly squeezed vegetable juices. Sucking on some ice chips and/or zinc lozenges can help reduce the swelling.
When your throat improves you can add some soft fruits like kiwi, fresh pineapple and paw paw which are excellent for reducing inflammation. Protein foods like scrambled eggs, protein smoothies (get a sugar free powder like whey protein) and stir fries with fish, chicken or lean red meat are good options for when your appetite returns.
Vitamins and minerals
Essential nutrients that are powerful natural sore throat remedies include vitamin C, vitamin A, zinc and the B complex. These can help boost your immune system, fight the microbe causing the infection and reduce inflammation. If you have problems swallowing then a powdered or liquid supplement is probably best for you.
Pain killers
I do not advise using any aspirin for painful throats as there is a very slight risk of complications with Reye's Syndrome - a potentially serious illness which causes brain inflammation and liver problems. You can try a safer alternative like Panadeine, or better still for natural sore throat remedies, try a herbal or homeopathic remedy.
If you or a loved one are suffering from a sore throat and want more information on natural sore throat remedies please refer to the e-book "Nature's Amazing Sore Throat Cures" by qualified naturopath Elizabeth Noble.
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