Soothe Your Sore Throat Naturally with Cayenne Pepper

Cayenne

Posted by Anne H. (Santa Ana, Ca) on 11/21/2012
★★★★★

I woke up with a sore throat that I believe is related to a cold I think I am starting to come down with. Caught it from my oldest daughter. I tried the cayenne pepper. I put 1/4 tsp. in a 1/2 cup of warm water. I took a swallow and gargled, and then swallowed it. It really wasn't that bad. And it feels like the pain in my throat is 1/2 as bad.

Cayenne

Posted by Cooper (Arvada, Colorado) on 07/01/2012
★☆☆☆☆

not a good idea to use this. Started getting a sore throat and heard about this remedy so I tried it. I used half a teaspoon of cayenne with two tablespoons of warm water and gargled. With how hot the cayenne was I spit it out immidiately and it left my throat burning worse then before. do not use unless you have a very high heat tolerance in your throat and mouth.

Cayenne

Posted by Anja (Jacksonville, Florida) on 07/02/2012

My family and I use cayenne for sore throat but we don't start out with a half teaspoon. We put a very small amount ( a pinch ) and increase it if it is not strong enough. It should be hot and burn especially if your throat is already sore but it wears off quickly and then your throat feels better than before, approx half hour. You repeat this every few hours for about 24 hours and you should be feeling a whole lot better. We usually don't have a need for it after that. On the flip side, I have used cayenne for pain. You just have to handle the initial heat.

Cayenne

Posted by Mia (Lyons, Ny) on 07/02/2012

If you must, start out with less. It may burn but the cure certainly works. It cured me of the worst strep throat I'd ever had. My glands were so swollen, which caused extreme neck pain, it made me want to cry. Twelve hours after the first dose was I was almost completely well. Two days after that it was completely gone never to return and it's been two years since. Definitely don't knock cayenne. It works.

Cayenne

Posted by Michael (Crested Butte, Colorado) on 09/14/2012
★★★★★

In reading this thread and seeing that people seem very surprised that cayenne pepper works for their sore throat, I can give you a solid pharmacological explanation of why that is: the chemical in hot peppers such as cayenne that makes them hot is called capsacin (spelling correct?), and believe it or not it is the main active ingredient in a great many ARTHRITIS medications. The science behind it has to do with something along the lines of causing the nerves to fire too much to a point where they finally turn off, so to speak (this is a dumbed-down and probably not wholly acurate explanation of the science, however the fact remains that Capsacin does have pain-dulling properties and this is no doubt why it works well in a gargle for sore throats). Thus although the cayenne feels hot at first, eventually the user experiences relief!

Cayenne

Posted by Nikki (Savannah, Ga) on 05/22/2012
★★★★★

I am a 3 year in college and all of a sudden I get a sore throat and it lasted for 3or 4 days finally I couldnt take it anymore so I looked up remedies online. I was very hesitant about using the Cayenne since I am a wimp for hot food. But what I did was do 1/8 teaspoon and mug of warm water. I gargled and gargled and gargled and then would swallow bits at a time.

I did feel relief immeditely but my symptoms where not all gone but after I did it three more times periodicaly through out the day by 10pm that night throat felt good and I woke up this moring with no tightness or hard to swallow or pain in my throat

I would definitely recommend this to other people.

Cayenne

Posted by Stephanie (Orlando, Fl) on 08/21/2010
★★★★★

I have had a sore throat that felt like razor blades for the last few days and nothing helped. I found this site and the cayenne pepper recommendation and was willing to try anything... But doubted it would work. I never post, but felt I had to as this worked AMAZINGLY! I felt relief after the first gargle (6 oz very warm water/ 1/4 tsp cayenne). Repeated every 15 min to half hour for a few hours and the pain is almost totally gone. I am so happy to have found this secret recipe. Thank you!

Cayenne

Posted by Zark (Emerald City) on 09/13/2016
★★★★★

Chilli powder worked nicely. Thanks.

I used some chilli in my juice with a dash of ACV and sipped from that regularly.

Cayenne

Posted by Miyo (Tennessee, US) on 01/21/2015
★★★★★

I had had a chronic sore throat for about a month.. I had tried to kick it with fermented garlic ( which used to help quite a bit) and probiotics, and oregano, but had eventually gone to a conventional route and taken some antibiotics, which helped for a while. However, the sore throat crept back and I didn't want to do another round of antibiotics, so I tried gargling with cayenne ( a tsp) in a cup of warm water with salt- yes, it burned but a day and a half of this, gargling about three times total, has cured me of the sore throat.. Just want to say, thanks, Earth clinic people- you have save me another trip to the doctor!

Cayenne

Posted by Rosa (Miami, FL) on 12/26/2014

I was a little skeptical at first, but I was in such bad pain so I would try anything. So I just add cayenne pepper (powder) in a chicken broth and although it was super spicy I felt better. Good luck!

Cayenne

Posted by Ute (Albuquerque, NM) on 10/18/2014

I use cayenne pepper when I first notice a sore throat coming on. I put a little tap on a wet q tip and paint my throat with it, being careful not to get any on my tongue. So far this worked every time.

Cayenne

Posted by Wendy (Westport, Ct) on 10/01/2013
★★★★★

I started getting a sore throat yesterday afternoon and promptly looked on Earth Clinic for remedies. I couldn't believe how many people tried gargling cayenne pepper for a sore throat! Amazing. I added a few shakes of cayenne to a small amount of warm water and gargled with it. Spit it out, took a breather and gargled again. My sore throat felt better an hour after that. I did it again last night before going to bed and woke up this morning with no throat pain. YEA!

Cayenne

Posted by Sore Throat (Land Of, Oz) on 03/26/2013
★★★★★

This is almost immediate relief... I have one of the worst sore throats I have ever had. I tried tea with honey, smoothies with lots of antioxidants but the gargle with cayenne, salt and I used some raw honey. I gargled and swallowed.

Cayenne

Posted by Theresa (Valparaiso, In) on 03/04/2013
★★★★★

I've had a killer sore throat--so bad that it kept me up 2 nights back--for a few days now. Honey, hot tea, etc etc have not been working for this one this time. So here I am and found this cayenne tip. WOW! I put 1 tsp in about 8oz of warm water and IMMEDIATELY my pain was gone. It's starting to make a slight return as I expected with this severe of discomfort, but I plan on gargling for a few times every hour until this subsides.

Cayenne

Posted by Tyler (Wylie, Texas) on 05/25/2012

You can get Cayenne pepper at most grocery stores - it's sold in the spice aisle. If given the choice between "mild" and "hot, " always pick the hot. In fact, get the spiciest type available. I have used ACV for about a year. It only seemed to help my BMS for about a week, although it does have a positive effect on the emotions and depression involved with BMS.

I used to suffer from very bad acne and took accutane (regret that decision). I have, basically, perfect skin now aside from freckles.

The cayenne is still working. I only have to use it about once a day now, and the degree of my BMS weakens each day. My life is great again for the first time in a year. I think many people suffering from this condition might be skeptical or think I'm crazy, but the cayenne really works wonders for me for this issue.

Again, the first day I had to take it every few hours. Now I only have to do it once per day. The cayenne has so many benefits anyway that I would use it even if I didn't have BMS - it's good for your gums and oral tissue because it stimulates blood flow to the area.

Cayenne

Posted by Mama T (Sparks, Nv) on 05/28/2012

For years I have suffered from geographic tongue and sores on my tongue. Reactions to foods, white coating, sores that look like ringworm, cracks, and sometimes bleeding. Several years ago I started taking Enduracin, slow release niacin that is encapsulated in parafin so it won't cause the hot flashes. My husband takes it to lower his cholesterol, one before every meal. I started taking one 250mg per night as a B12 supplement. After a few weeks I noticed that my tongue was not hurting anymore! It was a healthy color and no cracks. There have been a few times when I have gone without taking it for a few days and my old symptoms return quickly. It is especially noticable if I am traveling and don't bring along my supplements and I eat out and my tongue will flare up at the restaurant making it very uncomfortable to even eat and the symtoms will last all night and cracks start to appear. I am thankful that I realized what the solution was so I can share it with you!

Cayenne

Posted by October (Berea, Oh) on 06/12/2012
★★★★★

I don't know what I have, it seems like allergies because it happens seasonal or so. It started with watery eyes and a dry scratchy throat. I took it easy and managed to keep those feelings at bay then I woke up in the middle of the night with my throat a little more scratchy & a bit sore. I got up and immediately started in on the warm salt water and I've been trying to fight it off that way. Last night I lost the battle and my throat was really bad this morning and relief lasted briefly even with hot tea.

I came here and saw this post so I tried it. I have rinsed twice now only to follow these suggestions and I feel like I will be fine at least a few hours. I will probably do it twice more this evening and try to drink as much water as possible. I know haven't had enough water and that doesn't help. Need to keep the tissues lubricated. I hope it goes away soon because I am in no mood to wait this out... Thanks for the suggestions! In the least I will settle for relief, I feel much better now : )

Cayenne

Posted by Enfinite5 (Orange County, Ca) on 05/10/2012
★★★★★

SAVED THE DAY! Wow im blown away that this worked.... My throat was KILLING ME! Hurt so bad, felt like I swallowed a cheese grater. I kept using throat lozenges but they make me feel sick and only temporally fix the problem. So I saw all the posts on here and thought I would give it a try.... I gargled and swallowed a little bit of the cayenne pepper and water through out the day and it instantly took away the pain and the next morning woke up completely better!

Cayenne

Posted by Jaime (Sunnyvale, Ca) on 03/02/2012
★★★★★

Honestly I had doubts about this but some many people recommended this that I tried it and it literally to less then a minute go the pain to go away and less the 30 minutes for me to be completely rid of my sore throat. thank you all for this remedy.

Cayenne

Posted by Rachel (Bexley, Ohio) on 12/10/2011
★★★★★

The first time I tried gargling with cayenne pepper and water was two years ago when I had the worst sore throat of my life. It was 10 days. The doctor gave me antibiotics for strep throat even though the rapid strep test came back negative because she thought that it HAD to be strep. Well, it wasn't. The antibiotics did nothing, and my sore throat went on. It was difficult to sleep, to swallow, to eat. It felt like I had an open cut in my mouth--I'm not sure how to describe it. I was up in the middle of the night and found this site. I immediately tried it, and amazingly, it was the one gargle--the one thing--that brought me any relief. I kept doing it--and trying to let the pepper water get as low in my throat as I could. I would inhale the pepper sometimes and choke and spit it all out, but I was right at the kitchen sink and bound and determined to get rid of the pain. No exaggeration--within 1 day of gargling--the pain was gone. Not diminished--but gone. Now this time around when I got a killer sore throat, the only thing I'm using to gargle is cayenne pepper. I just warm up a glass of water and add as much cayenne as it can handle. I keep swirling it around to keep it from settling. The burn goes into a tingle and into a numbing. I love it. Such relief. Yeah, cayenne pepper!!

Cayenne

Posted by Heather (Dallas, Tx) on 02/14/2015
★☆☆☆☆

I had already tried the honey with cayenne and that did not give me any comfort. I did the cayenne ( 1 tsp) in 1 8oz cup of warm/hot water and gargled what I could stand ( it was pretty hot and I am usually not bothered by spicy things). Anyways, the burning on the tongue and lips is pretty intense for about 10 minutes. It did NOT burn my throat, only the hot water did, but not the cayenne. It has been about 15 minutes since I gargled and there is no relief. I still feel the same amount of discomfort that I felt before but now with a burn from the cayenne at the back of my throat and on my lips.

Cayenne

Posted by Davemomusic (Philadelphia, Pa) on 11/22/2011
★★★★★

I know I'm one more log on the fire for Cayenne but as a singer with a gig coming up, it was really important to me to get rid of my sore throat. I tried the whiskey and that numbed my throat but it didn't cure it, and I didn't want to repeat it because even with the gargle, I found it went in through my mouth's pores (slight buzz). So I tried gargling the cayenne, but I really think that the drinking of the cayenne was the best. I ended up putting it in my water bottle and drinking it throughout the day. What it did best was open my throat temporarily and clear my sinuses. As the post-nasal drip disappeared, so did the sore throat. It also helped as I was teaching too. I was able to be my normal volume without losing my voice. Started drinking it Wednesday night and through Friday, by the time of the gig, I was great! Oh, and the name-brand stuff worked just fine for me.

Cayenne

Posted by Brenda (Newark, Delaware) on 10/23/2011
★★★★★

My almost 8 year old Son had symptoms of a cold working its way toward his chest. His Sore Throat was soooooo bad that he could not even eat or swallow. I did everything to help him. Vitimin D3, Bee Propolis, Hydrogen Peroxide Gargle, Childrens Cold Sampler Tea, Throat Coat Tea.... BUT THEN I came on here and saw the YES for Cayenne Pepper, Salt, and warm water Gargle and we did it! Within an hour he could TALK and FELT better! His EYEBALLS looked BLOOD SHOT but I gather that was from the Pepper and how strong it was to his system. He woke up this morning and NO SORE THROAT AT ALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL! CURED!!! He still has lots of mucus and of course his cold symptoms but NO SORE THROAT!

Cayenne

Posted by Coco (Walhalla, S.c.) on 03/16/2012
★★★★★

I mixed some Cayenne pepper w/some ginger ale and sipped several glasses of it tonight. This has worked wonders for me. I am glad I found this site. Years ago there was a Ginger Ale with cayenne in it that we had only when sick with a cold. I dont think its made anymore. Reading this jogged my memory. First I gargled a bit with warm water, then I made my drink. This is great. My throat feels fine now. Its been 5 hours. Try the Ginger Ale mix! Ive had a terrible burning sore throat for 5 days.

Cayenne

Posted by Mikel (Revelstoke, Bc Canada) on 09/21/2011
★★★★★

I tried gargling with ACV, hydrogen peroxide, salt water, drinking garlic, ginger, honey and lemon broth. No success after 5 days of not being able to talk without gagging. Then I did cayenne with a little lemon, salt and honey and that took it away overnight.

The side effect was that I woke up in a pool of sweat. I don't mind that as long as I don't have to cringe everytime I try to swallow. I had used this cure years ago, but I forgot about it. Thank you for reminding me of the best cure for sore throat!! I can talk and swallow again, what a relief.

Cayenne

Posted by Brittany (Chicago, Il Usa) on 09/08/2011
★★★★★

I am very sceptical to any home remedy really, but I am a full time college student with a part time job, and getting sick is just not an option. I woke up two days ago with a sore throat and as my day at work went on it kept getting worse. It would also be my 5th sore throat this summer, which I had taken a lot of antibiotics for. But the second I got home from work, I looked on the internet for any cures, and stumbled upon this. I felt it was my last option.

To my surprise I put 1 teaspoon of cayenne in a glass of warm water with a pinch of salt, gargled and then repeated a few hours later. I was sooooooo septical but it seriously worked! My throat was 99% better the next day! I am so extremely amazed! Thanks!

Cayenne

Posted by David (Albuquerque, New Mexico) on 08/29/2011

Just learned about this remedie today. I have had a very bad sore throat for about four days. Went to the doctor and was diagnosed with a bacterial infection. My sore throat was very bad. I had not been able to eat anything for three days because the throat pain was so bad. The pain has been so bad that I have been unable to even swallow my saliva. I hadn't been able to get a full night of sleep. My sore throat has never hurt this bad. I got me a cup of water and mixed it with red cayenne pepper and a little bit of salt. I gargled several times and kept spitting it out. I did swallow my saliva after gargling. My throat started feeling better about 15 minutes later and the excruciating sore throat was gone after about an hour and a half. I still felt a little soreness but I am amazed at how well this worked. I can tell you it wasn't that bad and didn't taste bad either. It definately worked for me and I hope it will work for you

Cayenne

Posted by Geri (Loomis, Ca) on 08/07/2011
★★★★★

Cayanne Pepper completely cured my sore throat! I read several of the testimonials as I am quite a skeptic when it comes to self promotion. I figured who really has much to gain in the pepper industry?

I have had a sore throat for 1.5 weeks. It is the longest lasting throat issue I have ever had. I have a strong immune system, however, I guess it wasnt this time around to fight this unblelievable cold. My throat felt like a thousand razor blades when I swallowed. I became desperate to cure this as I kept thinking it would go away soon and it was only getting worse. I mixed Chicken Broth with Cayanne Pepper and gargled with it and then swallowed. It was hot going down, however, my throat began to feel much better immediately. I did this several times and then right before bed. The next day, no sore throat!!! What? I couldnt believe it.

Now I am working on the cold that comes after. I am going to treat my mucous and cough with Apple Cider Vinegar, Lemon, Ginger, Honey and Cayanne in a tea. I am hoping for another miracle!

For every ailment, there is a cure. Mercy is all over the planet. Good luck~ I hope this works for you as well!