Dealing with a sore throat can be rough. Even the saliva traveling down can feel like sandpaper scraping against the throat’s inner lining. To relieve symptoms, especially the pain , understanding what causes them, whether an infection, an allergy, the flu, a common cold, or something else, is important. The cause can then help one determine what to do. In benign cases, when the symptoms are not severe, one can speak to a healthcare professional and use natural ways to soothe a sore throat.

Salt water gargles

Salt water is a time-tested home remedy for a sore throat. It can relieve irritation and inflammation, reduce swelling, and help pull the bacteria or viruses to the throat’s surface, giving the body a better chance to fight them. To create a saltwater solution, one can take about a glass of warm water and dissolve a quarter to a half teaspoon of salt into it. This solution can be used for gargling every couple of hours.

Warm beverages

Warm beverages, such as soups and teas, soothe the throat and keep the body hydrated. Their warmth also helps improve blood flow in the area. Increased blood flow to the throat, in turn, speeds healing by supplying the infected tissue with oxygen, nutrients, and immune cells. Teas like chamomile, peppermint, ginger root, or licorice root are excellent beverages for a sore throat because of their anti-inflammatory effects. Marshmallow root fusion and warm lemon water are also suitable.

Cold water or food

The first few bites of a popsicle might not feel comfortable when one has a sore throat, but eating it certainly helps. It helps the same way ice on a sprained ankle does: it prevents swelling, reduces inflammation, and dulls the pain. Besides eating popsicles, one can drink icy cold liquids. However, it is important to avoid citrus-flavored beverages or popsicles. These can trigger acidity or acid reflux, which, in turn, can aggravate the sore throat and increase pain and inflammation.

Humidifier

Dry air can irritate the throat and prolong recovery time. That is why it helps to add moisture to the air one breathes during a sore throat episode. Moisture calms the inflammation and reduces the swelling in both the throat and the nasal membranes. It also helps clear out mucus. Installing a humidifier in the room is a good idea to add moisture to the air, but it is crucial to ensure the device is clean before turning it on. A dirty humidifier can circulate mold and bacteria in the air, worsening sore throat symptoms.

Nasal decongestion

Breathing through an open mouth is a common symptom of a sore throat, which occurs partly because of nasal congestion. Using nasal drops or sprays can help relieve congestion, but it is better to speak to a healthcare professional first. If one has certain pre-existing conditions or health complications, they should not use nasal drops or sprays. They can simply rinse the sinuses with salt water and relieve a clogged nose. Nasal rinsing with an irrigation device, such as a neti pot, helps clear the sinuses of thick mucus. That said, the water used for this throat-soothing technique should be sterile or distilled and free of potential irritants.

Honey

Honey’s antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties make it one of the most useful throat irritation home remedies. Adding honey to warm beverages and sipping on them throughout the day can do the trick. One can also simply have a spoonful of honey as is. Honey coats the throat’s inner lining, hydrating it and reducing swelling and irritation. When the throat is coated with honey, the urge to cough is also reduced. This makes eating honey a quick method for throat comfort, particularly for someone with a dry or wheezing cough.