The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
Ephedra
Posted by Robert (Ramona, CA) on 06/29/2006
★★★★★
I used to get sinus infections every year in the same month in the spring time. I started taking ephedra supplements and I did not have any more sinus infections. I stopped taking ephedra after the ban and I just came down with another sinus infection.
Replied by Tammy
(San Antonio, Texas)
10/21/2008
Replied by Teresa
(Kenedy, Texas)
10/22/2008
Epsom Salt
Posted by Nat (Brooklyn NY) on 11/22/2022
★★★★★
Rinsing the mouth (chewing the liquid) and gargling every few hours with Epsom salt and water helps relieve painful sore throat caused by Covid or other respiratory infections. Also swallowing a bit as well.
Epsom Salt
Posted by Lena (Seattle, Washington) on 06/24/2007
★★★★★
Epsom salt foot baths really work for sore throats. Soak your feet in a tub of water with about a cup of epsom salts, hot as you can stand for about 20 mins. Then dry your feet and put on two pairs of socks, woollen socks if you have them over a pair of thin cotton socks and go to bed. Each time I've done this my sore throat is gone by morning. Persistent sore throats can return though, so it's good to do the cayenne pepper gargle/ACV cayenne tea during the day if it comes back, and the espsom salt footbath at night before bed.
Epsom Salt
Posted by Michelle (Phoenix, AZ) on 01/28/2007
★★★☆☆WORKED TEMPORARILY
i soaked in a bath with epsom salt and when i got out i felt way better! my throat did not hurt at all. But it only takes the pain away for a couple hours. But its better than nothing.
Epsom Salt
Posted by Crystal (North Chicago) on 04/18/2006
★★★★★
I poured Epsom Salts into a nice hot bath to soak the aches away. Soaked a hand towel in the tub with me, then laid back with it laid over my face and neck, with another one behind my neck. When I got out of the tub, not only did my achy muscles feel better, but my throat was no longer hurting at all.
Eucalyptus Oil
Posted by Marie (New Providence, NJ) on 11/27/2006
★★★★★
I used to get a sinus infection with every cold I got. then I would take an antibiotic and it would go away. for the last 3 years, I have taken 2 drops of essential oil of eucalyptus directly on my tongue at the first sign of a cold. As a result, I have not had the sore throat and stuffy nose that usually came with my colds AND they have not turned into an infection. I haven't had any antibiotics in 3 years. I recommended this to my sister in law who suffered from the same ailments and she swears by it too.
Garlic and Cayenne Extract Gargle
Posted by Ria (Nevada) on 01/23/2022
★★★★★
I've tried a lot of things for a sore throat, but this worked the BEST.
One dropper (one squeeze) of garlic extract and one dropper (one squeeze) of cayenne extract in a spoonful of water. Gargle and hold back for 30 seconds to a minute, two to three times a day (more if you need it). This is also edible if mixed with more water, but I didn't have to do that. MAGIC.
General Feedback
Posted by Jonathan (Allentown, PA) on 03/04/2008
I have not had a sore throat for over 10 years now. For me, Zinc lozenges were the key.
By the way...it seems some people have sore throats for more than 6 days. If you want to know what it feels like to get a heart valve transplant or artificial heart valve, then do not go to a doctor and do not start antibiotics after a week of sore throat that doesn't get better.
The home remedies only work when the sore throat is caught early. When the infection becomes systemic, it can go to the heart valves, as it did to a dear friend and many patients I have nursed through the years.
The one possible exception is Cayenne Pepper. However, it would need to be taken at least three times a day (preferably early so it does not keep you awake).
This is because the Cayenne (if it is cold processed or not cooked) makes the body shift to alkalotic which will kill both virus and bacterial infections in some cases.
Again, this is only possible. It is your life to gamble with.
Good Health to you.
Goldenseal
Posted by Neva (ME) on 07/12/2021
★★★★★
I use Goldenseal when I have a sore throat. My grandmother used to get it in powder. She would put a tiny bit into the end of a straw and blow it down my throat.
I use it differently. I take a Golden Seal Capsule, open it up, put it into a cup of boiling water and let it steep for ten minutes. I then pour it through a coffee filter and put it into a bottle with a dropper, and then use a dropper full down my throat.
I warn you that it tastes really bad, but it has always worked for me. You can also use this solution on a bad tooth. It will get rid of the infection.
One really important warning. If you are taking other medications, Golden Seal will rid your body of them, so don't use it if you are on heart medication or other life-giving medication.
Grapefruit Seed Extract
Posted by Tracy (Dearborn, MI) on 10/16/2008
★★★★★
Cayenne Pepper is great for circulation, but when something is 'hot' like a sore throat, don't you want to cool it? I use Grapefruit Seed Extract now - known for killing the strep virus (and I had strep 6 times in one year and hated taking antibiotics) ... so I was on a quest. Anyways, GSE turns out to be a Godsend, kills internal bugs without biotics... great thing! Brush teeth to kill sore throats - or gargle, if more severe. Great thing is, it numbs it. Raw throat, however, can't seem to snuff. What do you to when your 7 year old has a terrible raw throat and can't swallow? Darn!
Hand Therapy
Posted by Terry (San Francisco, CA) on 07/27/2009
★★★★☆
I tried the Hand therapy and had done for about five minutes. The pain hasn't fully gone away, but the pain has swelled down significantly.
Replied by Alexander
(Amsterdam, North Holland, The Netherlands)
01/26/2012
Hand Therapy
Posted by KK (USA) on 03/31/2008
★☆☆☆☆
I tried the hand remedy for my sore throat, and it didn't really work. I had my hand on my throat, for about 5 minutes, not talking or anything, then I took my hand off. My throat felt better for about 30 seconds, then the pain came back. I have a cough drop right now and it's doing more than the hand thing.
Hand Therapy
Posted by Heatre (R'dale , us) on 09/14/2007
★★★★☆
i tried the hand n throat thing! it made less pain but didn't make my sore throat go away! it works better if while you are doing this not to open your mouth!
Hand Therapy
Posted by Rhonda (Independence, KY) on 02/26/2006
★★★★★
I was looking up ways to get rid of a sore throat, when I came upon this. I tried it, and within 5 mins, my throat felt 10x better! It's natural, quick, easy, and it works!
Hand Therapy
Posted by Elizabeth (Sydney, Australia) on 02/21/2006
★★★★★
i have just tried this and couldn't believe the improvement! it doesn't necessarily cure the sore throat but it certainly makes it a lot easier to swallow and because it is so simple, it can be done anywhere!
