Effective Herbal Remedies for Sore Throat

Posted on July 15, 2010
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A sore throat, (also known as pharyngitis or tonsillitis) is a disease primarily located in throat around the tonsil. Sore throat most commonly caused by a contagious viral infection uch as a cold, flu, and a bacterial infection. Apart from these there are other things which can cause a sore throat. These include smoking, allergies, dry air, mouth breathing, and changing weather, or even cheering too loud at a concert.

Sore throat if left untreated can cause complications such as tonsillitis, sinusitis, ear infection, fever and rashes, inflammation of kidney and rheumatic fever. Still, sore throats can be effectively treated at home, using herbal remedies. Herbal remedies offer some ways to help soothe your throat, reduce inflammation or fight against the bacteria that have made your throat their home. An added bonus is that herbal remedies do not have side effects. These are herbs that are used as natural remedies for sore throat:

SoreThroat 1. Licorice

The herb licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) is a common ingredient in herbal teas for sore throat, such as the herbal tea products Throat Coat (Traditional Medicinals) and Throat Comfort (Yogi Teas). A small piece of raw liquorice should be chewed or sucked for treating this condition. The healing property of the herb soothes inflammation quickly

2. Cinnamon

Cinnamon is regarded as an effective remedy for a sore throat resulting from a cold. One teaspoon of coarsely powdered cinnamon, boiled in a glass of water with a pinch of pepper powder, and two teaspoons of honey can be taken as a medicine in the treatment of this condition. Two or three drops of cinnamon oil, mixed with a teaspoon of honey, also give immense relief.

3. Horseradish

Horseradish is another herb that many use in the kitchen but it also has excellent properties to treat sore throat and upper respiratory tract infections, reduces fever, and expels concentrations of mucus. Those using this home remedy for strep throat only need to use small amounts of horseradish and can use it a few times a day. If the taste is too powerful users can put it in food.

4. Marshmallow

Marshmallow, a herb that grows in North America and Europe, has been used for centuries as a sore throat remedy. Like slippery elm, marshmallow contains mucilage, which is thought to coat and soothe sore throats.

Herbalists recommend marshmallow root tea for sore throats. It is usually made by adding one tablespoon of the dried root to a cup (8 ounces) of boiling water, steeping it covered for at least 10 minutes, and then straining. Herbalists usually suggest drinking up to three cups a day.

5. Sage

Sage is another effective cure for a sore throat. Half a litre of boiling water should be poured on a handful of sage leaves. When moderately cool, a little vinegar and honey should be added according to taste. This mixture should be used as a gargle. A teaspoon of this mixture call also be taken internally at the same time

6. Bay berry

Bay berry is a valuable herb in treating respiratory disorders like asthma and chronic bronchitis. Powdered bark can be used as a snuff for congested nasal passages, which are relieved by sneezing. The decoction also makes a good gargle for throat infections.

7. Fenugreek Seeds

Fenugreek (methi) is very popular home remedy for sore throat. To prepare this gargle, two tablespoons of fenugreek seeds should be put in a litre of cold water and permitted to simmer for half an hour over a low flame. This should then be allowed to cool to a bearable temperature, strained, and then used totally as a gargle.

8. Bishop’s Weed

Bishop’s weed is a valuable herb in the treatment of sore throat, diarrhea, dysentery, atonic dyspepsia, cholera, colic, flatulence and indigest. An infusion of the seeds mixed with common salt can be used beneficially as a gargle in an acute condition caused by a cold.

9. Garlic

Garlic (Allium sativum) Garlic is an excellent remedy for whooping cough. The syrup of two to three pieces of garlic must be taken two to three times a day in the case of whooping cough. If the symptoms still persist, or if it is a severe cough, then the dosage must be increased.

10. Honeysuckle flower

Honeysuckle flower is one of the most commonly used sore throat remedies in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Honeysuckle works extremely well at treating not only sore throats, but also tonsillitis, colds, bronchitis, the flu and pneumonia. It is usually made by boiling one quart of water with one cup of honeysuckle flowers (not the leaves), steeping it covered for at least 10 minutes, and then straining. Up to four cups a day are typically recommended.

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