Home remedies for a sore throat

As the weather changes every season it yet again brings with it the common ailments like cough, cold and viral fever. While fever may last for a day or two and then subside, the discomfort from a sore throat and a runny nose might last you through the season, if not taken care of properly. Some simple remedies are available right inside your kitchen cabinets to help you cure that constant pain and irritation in your throat.

There are lot of factors other than seasonal changes which might cause a sore throat. Irritants, allergens, pollutants, infections and excessive screaming or coughing are some of the other common factors. Viral infections are the major reason for bad throat and may cause common cold, flu and bronchitis also. A bacterial infection caused mainly by Streptococcus is also quite common and causes redness of the throat along with pus in the tonsils.

Home remedies for sore throat –

At times a sore throat gets very discomforting as the pain keeps one from functioning normally and even eating and drinking becomes a problem.

Here are some kitchen remedies to help you deal with the throat pain –

•    The best time tested remedy from grandma’s times is a good gargle with warm salt water. Make sure you gargle just before bedtime and do not forget to lightly wrap your throat in a soft silk or muslin scarf. You may add crushed Vit C tablet or white vinegar to your gargle solution.
•    Its best to keep sipping on warm water mixed with 2 tsp honey and a tsp of lemon juice all through the day.
•    You can also gulp down a tablespoon of honey mixed with 10 drops of ginger juice and a big pinch of black pepper. The pepper numbs the throat due to its hot property and the honey soothes it.
•    Chewing on cloves helps to soothe the pain in the throat.
•    One can also try taking a few almond kernels, with two peppercorns and chew them hard between the teeth and slowly swallow them in once they are chewed into a paste.
•    Boil cinnamon in a glass of water, add honey and pepper powder to it and drink the solution as a tea. This shall soothe the throat well.
•    You may also add some ginger and cloves along with the big cardamom seeds and prepare your daily tea. This is also good for the throat.
•    Take some finely chopped onion in a cup and fill the cup with honey. Now every four hours you can keep having this honey for two days and see the difference.
•    Drinking cabbage soup alone helps a lot to alleviate sore throat.
•    Eating garlic with raisins thrice a day helps to cure cough.
•    You can also boil some garlic pieces in mustard oil. Cool it and rub it on the chest during cough and cold. This remedy is very helpful.
•    Drinking mint tea mixed with a pinch of salt is also quite helpful.

Some lifestyle changes –

A strong immune system is the best way to keep the throat and chest infections at bay. In order to build a strong immune system and to keep the infections away some major lifestyle changes are also required. These are –

•    Reduce stress to the barest minimum, make conscious efforts.
•    Take ample rest on a daily basis and do not overexert yourself.
•    Always indulge in a light daily exercise.
•    Eat healthy and balanced diet.
•    Include supplements in your diet like –Vit B complex, Zinc, Vit A, E and C.
•    Its best to avoid spicy and fried foods and stay away from aerated drinks and sour juices while you suffer from a sore throat.
•    Avoid having cold water over oily foods.
•    Bananas, guavas, curds, potatoes, nuts and flour based eatables can worsen the cough and bad throat, so its best to avoid them.

With the help of these simple remedies you can easily soothe your throat and who knows you may find yourself crooning soon.