How to Make a Sore Throat Remedy

Everyone experiences that painful, irritating, and sometimes itchy and scratchy feeling in their throat at some point! A sore throat is very common and can be a symptom of a viral (such as the flu, common cold, chicken pox, and measles) or bacterial infection (tonsillitis, strep throat, pharyngitis). A sore throat can also be a symptom of allergies, under-hydration, muscle strain, Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), HIV infection or tumors. Fortunately, most of us can treat a sore throat at home and it should go away within a few days to a week.

Method 1

Method 1 of 4:

Making Gargles

1
Make a sea salt water gargle. Remember when your Grandma gave you salt water to gargle? Well, it works!^{[1]XExpert SourceAndrea Rudominer, MD, MPH
Board Certified Pediatrician & Integrative Medicine DoctorExpert Interview. 13 April 2020.} The salt acts as a mild antiseptic and reduces the swelling by drawing out the water in the swollen tissues in the throat. Research has shown that gargling is helpful in alleviating sore throats and also congestion.^{[2]XTrustworthy SourcePubMed CentralJournal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of HealthGo to source}
- Add about 1 teaspoon of either table salt or sea salt to 8 ounces of warm water and stir to dissolve the salt. Gargle with the solution for about 30 seconds and spit it out. Repeat once every hour.^{[3]XTrustworthy SourceMayo ClinicEducational website from one of the world's leading hospitalsGo to source}
- You can add a drop of bergamot essential oil to the water to make it more appealing if you’d like.^{[4]XExpert SourceAndrea Rudominer, MD, MPH
  Board Certified Pediatrician & Integrative Medicine DoctorExpert Interview. 13 April 2020.}
2
Make a spicy gargle. Add 10-20 drops of Tabasco sauce to an 8oz glass of water. Tabasco is made from hot chillies so it works like capsaicin, which helps to treat aches and pains, and it also has antiviral properties.^{[5]XResearch source}
- Don't swallow the gargle as it may irritate your stomach.
3
Gargle with apple cider vinegar. No one knows exactly why, but apple cider vinegar seems to work much better than any other sort of vinegar. The acid in the vinegar kills bacteria. Add 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar to 8 oz of warm water.^{[6]XResearch sourceCavender, A;, Folk medical uses of plant foods in southern Appalachia, United States. J Ethnopharmacol; 108 (1) 74-84, 2006.}
- Place the gargle into your mouth, and gargle for about 30 seconds. Then spit it out. You'll want to do this 2-3 times a day, until your throat heals up.
4
Gargle with baking soda. Baking soda is extremely alkaline (the opposite of acidic), which can help soothe sore throats, especially if gargling with apple cider vinegar is difficult for you. Baking soda is also anti-bacterial because it changes the pH of the throat.
- Add ½ teaspoon of baking soda to 1 cup of very warm water. Add 1/2 teaspoon of table or sea salt. Gargle with this mixture every 2 hours.^{[7]XResearch source}
5
Add honey or tea to gargles. You can add 1 tablespoon of honey and/or lemon to any of the gargles listed above. Honey is antibacterial and soothing because it draws water out of inflamed tissue, while lemon is acidic, contains Vitamin C and is both antibacterial and antiviral.^{[8]XResearch sourceBevilacqua, A., Corbo, MR.; Sinigaglia, M. In Vitro Evaluation of the Antimicrobial Activity of Eugenol, Limonene, and Citrus Extract against Bacteria and Yeasts, Representative of the Spoiling Microflora of Fruit Juices. J Food Protection, 5; 812-1002, 2010.}
- Do not give honey to any child under the age of 1 because young children may be susceptible to infant botulism which can contaminate honey.^{[9]XResearch source}
Advertisement

Method 2

Method 2 of 4:

Making Teas

1
Make honey tea. Honey has long been used as a natural remedy for sore throats. Add 2–3 teaspoons to a cup of hot water or packaged herbal tea.^{[10]XExpert SourceAndrea Rudominer, MD, MPH
Board Certified Pediatrician & Integrative Medicine DoctorExpert Interview. 13 April 2020.}
- Hot lemon water with honey can also relieve discomfort and reduce swelling. Combine the juice of half a lemon with hot water. Add 2 teaspoons of honey to the mixture. For an extra soothing kick, you can add a tablespoon of brandy or whisky.^{[11]XResearch source}
- Throat Coat Herbal Tea in a randomly controlled study was found to reduce the intensity of pain with swallowing 30 minutes after drinking.^{[12]XResearch sourceBrinckmann J, Sigwart H, van Houten Taylor L. Safety and efficacy of a traditional herbal medicine (Throat Coat) in symptomatic temporary relief of pain in patients with acute pharyngitis: a multicenter, prospective, randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled study. J Altern Complement Med 2003; 9:285.}
2
Make a cayenne pepper tea. Cayenne acts as a counter-irritant and depletes a pain mediator called “Substance P”. Take 1/4 teaspoon of ground cayenne pepper and stir it into 1 cup of boiled and steaming water. Stir in about 1-2 teaspoons of honey (to taste) and sip. Stir occasionally to re-suspend the pepper in the tea.^{[13]XResearch sourceSandu, D., Heinrich M. The Use of Health Foods, Spices and other Botanicals in the Sikh Community in London, Phytotherapy Res., 19, 633-42, 2005.}
- If the 1/4 teaspoon is too much for you, you can decrease it to 1/8 of a teaspoon.^{[14]XResearch sourceSandu, D., Heinrich M. The Use of Health Foods, Spices and other Botanicals in the Sikh Community in London, Phytotherapy Res., 19, 633-42, 2005.}
Most supermarkets and health food stores carry herbal teas and licorice root is pretty common and easy to find. Licorice root has anti-viral, anti-bacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties. Use one teabag per cup of boiled water and add honey to taste. ^{[15]XResearch source}
4
Drink ginger or clove tea. Fresh ginger is the best way to go! Peel the ginger and chop finely. Add 1/2 teaspoon of minced fresh ginger to 1 cup of boiling hot water. Add honey to taste.^{[16]XResearch sourceSandu, D., Heinrich M. The Use of Health Foods, Spices and other Botanicals in the Sikh Community in London, Phytotherapy Res., 19, 633-42, 2005.}
- For clove tea, add about 1 teaspoon of whole cloves or 1/2 teaspoon of ground cloves to 1 cup of boiled water. Add honey to taste.
Cinnamon is high in antioxidants and has antiviral and antibacterial properties. You can find cinnamon sticks in grocery stores and health food stores. You can use it as a stirring stick in your tea and for multiple uses as the cinnamon essence seeps into your teas.^{[17]XResearch sourceSandu, D., Heinrich M. The Use of Health Foods, Spices and other Botanicals in the Sikh Community in London, Phytotherapy Res., 19, 633-42, 2005}
6
Freeze tea to make tea popsicles. Freeze any of the teas listed above by pouring them into popsicle moulds and freezing for about 4-6 hours. Cold popsicles can be soothing to sore throats and are especially fun for children.
- Add honey or cinnamon to taste and to make them sweet and child-friendly!
Advertisement

Method 3

Method 3 of 4:

Making Lozenges

1
Obtain the following herbs and ingredients. You should be able to find the herbs at a natural health foods store or a bulk foods store. They should be ground or in powder form:^{[18]XResearch source}
- 1/2 teaspoon Marshmallow root powder (soothing on inflamed tissues)
- 1/2 cup Slippery Elm Bark powder (reduces inflamed membranes)
- 1/4 cup of hot water
- 2 tablespoons of honey
Put the 2 tablespoons of honey into a glass measuring cup and add enough of the hot marshmallow liquid to have a total of 1/2 cup. Pour this into a mixing bowl and discard the rest.^{[19]XResearch source}
Hollow out a well or a depression in the middle of the powder. Pour the honey/marshmallow solution into the well of the Slippery Elm Bark powder and, using clean hands, mix the ingredients together. Form small oblong shapes about the size of a grape (think lozenge size). You should get about 20 lozenges.^{[20]XResearch source}
This well help to reduce their “stickiness”. Place lozenges on a plate to let them dry for at least 24 hours.
Once dry, wrap lozenges in waxed or parchment paper. Store in a cool, dry, and dark place. They should stay good for about 6 months.^{[21]XResearch source}
6
Use the lozenges. Just unwrap and allow the lozenge to slowly dissolve in your mouth.
- These lozenges are for adults but can be for children who are old enough for lozenges to be safe, usually over the age of 5. For children younger than 5 years, lozenges can be a choking hazard.^{[22]XResearch source}
Advertisement

Method 4

Method 4 of 4:

Making Popsicles

These can be found at supermarkets, home outfitters stores, or anywhere that sells kitchenware.
2
Gather ingredients. All of these ingredients are classic for battling sore throats and colds. You'll need:^{[23]XResearch source}
- The juice of 1 large lemon
- 2-inch piece of ginger, thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons of honey
- 2 teabags of Chamomile tea
- 2 and 1/2 cups of boiling water
In a heat-proof bowl, mix the lemon juice, ginger, honey, and chamomile tea bags. Pour boiling water over top of the tea bags and let steep for 10 minutes.^{[24]XResearch source}
You can use a strainer to do this so your don't burn your hands. Let rest until water has slightly cooled.^{[25]XResearch source}
Stop about 1/2 an inch from the top and insert the popsicle stick. Then put the mould in the freezer. Freezing will take 6-8 hours.
When removing the popsicle from the mold, dip the molds in hot water for about 5 seconds to make pulling out the popsicle easier.
Advertisement

Expert Q&A

Search

Add New Question

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit

Tips

In addition to making any of the above remedies, be sure as well to drink plenty of water and eat lots of soups and broths to slow the movement of immune cells, which boosts their activity.^{[26]XResearch source}
Thanks
Helpful0 Not Helpful0
Home remedies with gargling, teas, lozenges, and popsicles is a good start but if you do not see improvement in a couple of days you should consult a doctor about your pharyngitis. Cause of pharyngitis include infectious from bacterial to viral etiologies, GERD, medications, and tumors. Treatment for pharyngitis include lozenges such as lidocaine and benzocaine lozenges bought over the counter. Also, throat sprays are a common medication used to treat pharyngitis. Systemic analgesics used such as aspirin and tylenol have shown to decrease pharyngitis pain.
Thanks
Helpful0 Not Helpful0
Most people find relief drinking hot liquids, but this is not written in stone. If you feel better drinking lukewarm or cool teas or broths, go right ahead. Iced drinks can be helpful as well, especially if you have a fever.
Thanks
Helpful0 Not Helpful0

Warnings

Do not use honey with a child under the age of 2. While it is rare, infant botulism is a risk because honey sometimes contains bacterial spores and infants do not have a developed immune system.
Thanks
Helpful19 Not Helpful6
If your sore throat last longer than a week and/or causes severe symptoms (such as high fever, difficulty breathing and swallowing, rashes, and joint pain, you should consult your physician.^{[27]XResearch source}
Thanks
Helpful0 Not Helpful0