What are Home Remedies for Sore Throats?

Sore throats are one of the most common reasons that a person seeks medical advice. Sore throats may be just the early warning sign of a cold, in which case they will probably disappear within a week. Many people have their own home-grown formulas for eradicating the problems of a sore throat. There are many tried and tested home remedies to ease discomfort before visiting a doctor.

Many herbal remedies for sore throats are readily available. Many people advise mixing different herbs in liquid to make a soothing drink. One ancient recipe is to mix a tablespoon of honey and a tablespoon of vinegar with water. The mixture should be heated and sipped slowly, but not allowed to go cold.

Another variation on the drink is to mix apple cider vinegar and a tiny amount of cayenne pepper. Next, add some lemon juice and honey. If this is drunk four times a day, the discomfort associated with sore throats should be eased.

In Chinese medicine, honeysuckle flower is an ancient remedy for sore throats. The honeysuckle flower is a very sweet tasting herb. The herb should be placed in hot water for at least ten minutes and then drained. Honey can also be added, and the mixture should be taken at least four times a day.

One remedy for sore throats that has been around for centuries is marshmallow (Althaea officinalis). A tea can be made from the dried root of this herb. One tablespoon of the dried root should be boiled in a mug of water for at least ten minutes. The tea is then strained and can be drunk around three times a day.

Another home remedy for sore throats is the inner bark of the slippery elm tree. This tree can be found in Eastern America and Canada. Inside the bark is a type of gel that swells if it is mixed with water. This dry bark is added to hot water and left for around ten minutes. It is then strained and can be drunk around three times per day.

Herbal remedies seem to be the best cure for sore throats. There are many different types of concoctions and variations. Some people swear that simply placing honey in hot water and drinking the mixture eases the discomfort.

Many of the herbal home remedy cures listed above should be checked with a doctor first. The ingestion of some herbs may be ineffective or harmful if combined with other medication. Also, people who suffer from diabetes or insulin problems must take extra care when trying home remedies.