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.
Whiskey
Posted by Jeff (Shorthills, NJ) on 01/04/2007
★★★★★
Sip some brandy or whiskey very slowly so that it coats the throat. Be careful it might cause some gagging. Do this very slowly with small amounts of whiskey. Perhaps the alcohol in whiskey kills the germs. But proceed with caution.
Ted's Remedy Feedback
Posted by Daniella (NY) on 12/10/2006
★★★★★
I have another feedback for the sore throat. I am on antibiotics at the moment (I had to take them, my family insisted) but I developed a couple of days ago a sore throat. I was worried it was antibiotic resistant strep, since I have been having strep other times this year. I followed Ted advise: I gargled with potassium bicarbonate (my brother got it in Italy) and the sore throat disappeared magically in half a day! That's impressive! Thanks to Ted! He is the best!
Hot Tea
Posted by Michelle (Colorado Springs, CO) on 12/03/2006
★☆☆☆☆
I have had a very bad sore throat going on 10 days now!! I'm 11 weeks pregnant so I unfortunately can't take a lot of medicines. So almost every website I went to said to drink hot tea with lemon and honey. I have been drinking this for 3 days, even trying to change the amount of lemon and honey I put in it and the level of hot I can stand. My throat is still just as sore and wasn't even relieved for a couple minutes. I'm sure it works great for some people but I have not had good luck with it.
Hot Tea
Posted by Ch In Iah (Houston, Tx) on 12/10/2009
To Michelle from Co. Springs: if your sore throat has lasted for 10 days, it is probably more than just a sore throat. You might need a traditional remedy which your doctor can assign or prescribe even while you are pregnant.
Hot Tea
Posted by Saida (Nyc, Ny) on 07/29/2011
are you sure? my mom usually put vicks but I can tell that hot tee is good 4 u because the hot steem will heal him.
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.
Turmeric
Posted by Anj (UK) on 10/06/2006
★★★★★
Mum always used this when the cough/cold would not go away. Mix 1/2 teaspoon of salt with 1 teaspoon of turmeric and couple of drops of water to make this into paste. Wrap cotton wool around your finger or toothbrush and put the paste on the cotton wool and try and paint the inside of your throat as deep down the throat as possible.
Turmeric
Posted by Anj (UK) on 10/06/2006
★★★★★
This remedy cures a ticklish or itchy throat. Mum used to say salt with turmeric works as an antibiotic and the ghee/butter soothes inside of your throat like a film that stops the tickling/itchiness inside.
Dietary Changes
Posted by Sarah (Didcot, Oxfordshire, UK) on 09/12/2006
★★★★★
I think that bacteria/viruses in my throat need sugar and peace and quiet to multiply. I stop supplying sugar by ceasing to eat sugary food/drink. This means no cough sweets! I physically remove the bacteria/viruses from my throat by frequently eating non-sugary food. They are then being taken down to my stomach where they cause no trouble! I focus on drinking water, not abrasive teas or coffees. I find eating apples very helpful too, especially when I get woken up in the night with a tickly cough! Take an apple to bed and just reach out for it each time you wake. Now I just get a sore throat/cold and then it heals under a week, no more hacking coughs for weeks afterwards. Best wishes.
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.
Ephedra
Posted by Tammy (San Antonio, Texas) on 10/21/2008
I took Ephedra in the whole herb form for about three years to prevent my sinus infections. During that time I never once came down with a sinus infection. After the ban on ephedra I've been battling sinus problems ever since.
Ephedra
Posted by Teresa (Kenedy, Texas) on 10/22/2008
Tammy: Primatene tablets, that contain ephedra, can be purchased through the pharmacy, you will need to sign for these, as they keep a record of how much and how often you are buying it.
Water
Posted by Anonymous (USA) on 04/20/2006
★★★★★
Water! It helps keep your throat moist. Keep water at your bedside for when you wake up and whenever your throat is feeling dry, drink water.
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.
Echinacea
Posted by Shelley (UK) on 03/07/2006
★★★★★
After suffering from tonsillitis 4 to 5 times a year I decided to start taking echinacea. I heard that it is what a lot of celebrity singers use whilst on tour to boost their immune system and stop them from getting a sore throat! I love the stuff it has lots of benefits for the immune system and this along with cold showers has kept me fit and healthy and feeling in top form!
Tea Tree Oil
Posted by Jammie (Wilmington, OH) on 03/03/2006
★★★★★
I was reading some of the things people posted and when i saw the tea tree oil I saw my bottle sitting on my computer table as if saying here I am - I thought doesn't hurt to try so far it has helped some I can swallow my own saliva without having the think about it and cringe when I finally do- thanks for the advice!
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!
Hand Therapy
Posted by MC (Canada) on 02/10/2006
★★★★★
Hand therapy worked for me. Although it doesn't make the sore throat go away completely, my throat is much better. Before I tried this method, swallowing saliva was painful, but after the pain is much more bearable. This is also a convenient way because I found this site at school, and didn't have the leisure to get warm tea.
