Sore Throat
Natural Remedies

10 Best Natural Remedies for Soothing a Sore Throat

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.
Cod Liver Oil
Posted by Sherry (Athens, Georgia) on 01/24/2008
★★★★★

I have found that taking a tablespoon full of cod liver oil the first thing in the morning has taken care of the onset of a sore throat. I also, take it throughout the day as needed.

Also, I've been introduced to Oil of Oregano. I started with 1 drop in the cod liver oil, because it is soooo potent. I mix it well and take, letting the spicy hot numbing effect do its work in my mouth and throat. I now take 3 drops at a time.


Rubbing Alcohol
Posted by Courtney (SLC, UT) on 02/17/2008
★★★★★

When my sister and I were little and getting a sore throat, my mom would tie a rubbing alcohol soaked rag around our throat (as we slept because we hated it soo much). When we woke up, the sore throat was completely gone! Has anyone else heard of this?

Whiskey
Posted by Fred (MB, South Carolina) on 02/14/2007
★★★★★

I first tried the hot water with Cayenne Pepper,and to no avail it did not work as expected it did however excite other sensory cells in which resulted in desensitizing the sore throat,I then moved to Cayenne Pepper in Apple Cider Vinegar,in which again failed. So I thought I would try the lemon in which did seem to help a small amount,I tried the Pineapple Juice in which seemed to have subsided the pain much better. I also tried using salt in hot water for several days,in which resulted little to no change. There are two types of sore throats one that is Bacterial,and the other is Viral,while Bacterial can often bee cured by antibiotics,Viral sore throats cannot be,and often require a running of its course,it is important to note that Viral sore throats are caused by the bodies immune system during its war, your anti bodies essentially destroy the cold virus via chemical acid,by spraying acid onto the cold virus it also destroys healthy cells in its process,burning the lining in the throat,that is why vitamin c is important in fighting a cold,because the acidity level needs to be high to fight off the cold virus. however a sudden change in your acid levels in your throat can actually irritate the sore throat and make it worse,such as a sudden use of a Zinc supplement. While some success has been met using salt in a hot water mixture,this success is due to the fact that the sensory cells in the throat has already been damaged to a point whereas the salt water actually cures the lining the same process that is used to cure meats,on the other hand a sore throat in which has not been damaged much may get worse using salt,or eating foods such as a salty soup,and crackers. Now comes another fact if the sore throat is Bacterial certain foods should be avoided such as sweets,and high fructose corn syrups,as the bacteria will thrive on such simple sugars. Cough drops should be avoided,as well as certain mouth washes such as plaque controls,or other washes that contain sugars. The best remedy for a sore throat is a good white whiskey,stay away from the dark. Gargle with the whiskey a few times a day until the sore throat subsides,then have you a shot once or twice a week to help stay off any future occurrences.


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.


Whiskey
Posted by Fiona (Fife, Scotland) on 01/08/2007
★★★★★

I have a few sore throat remedies to share.

Firstly: Fresh fruit ice lollies (popsicles to Americans?) are excellent soothers, especially for children. Sucking on any ice is helpful to the pain, but the added vitamin C from fresh fruit helps the healing process. If you can't find fresh fruit lollies in the shops (Tesco's Finest do fresh orange ones for UK residents) then just squeeze an orange or lemon into your ice tray and suck on them. Combine them with your favourite pain killer, and the world seems a better place.

Secondly: Gargle with neat whisky. No, this isn't a joke - it's absolutely, one hundred percent my favourite sore throat remedy. (Then again - I am a Scot!). I recommend NOT swallowing every time, unless you're in a party mood, so don't use your best single malt. But gargling with potent alcohol, the stronger the better, not only numbs your throat so you feel no pain, but disinfects it, too. I had a sore throat recently that lasted one single, solitary day. I reckon the whisky killed it stone dead.


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!


Acidophilus
Posted by Brice (Sringfield, USA) on 05/16/2007
★★★★★

I've had my fare share of sore throats, and I find that taking one capsule (1 billion count of organisms) of Acidophilus plus one 200mg of Ibuprofen every 4 hours helps with the pain.THIS IS JUST A SUGGESTION. This works for me, but may cause further health problems in others. Acidophilus is a probiotic, which means you shouldn't take it with antibiotics. Acidolphilus contains the same Lactobacillus (rod-shaped bacteria) found in milk or cheese. The breakdown of nutrients by Lactobacillus Acidophilus produces lactic acid, hydrogen peroxide, and other byproducts that make the environment hostile for undesired organisms. Acidolphilus is not recognized by the FDA to cure any disease. Ibuprofen helps in reducing the swelling. Ibuprofen is a blood thinner and shouldn't be used with other blood thinners. Ibuprofen has also been known to cause stomach pains and stomach bleeding. If stomach pains occur, drinking milk may help. READ THE DRUG FACTS LABEL.

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.


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.


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.


Blackberries
Posted by Amber (Pleasantville, NJ)
★★★★★

Blackberries mildly stop the pain of sore throat but not all the way. it works if you have mild pain in the throat.


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.

Black Currants
Posted by Christine (London) on 03/18/2005
★★★★★

The Lemon and Honey tea worked but only for around half an hour. I have a cure which lasts longer: Crush black currants to get the juice out but try not to get any of the skin in with the juice. Put it in a mug and heat it until it is is hot, but not so hot you cannot drink it. Then just drink your sore throat away! If you are rushed for time then you could use a store bought blackcurrant juice drink such as Ribeana, which works just as well. The soothing is quite long lasting but depending on how bad your sore throat/laryngitis is you may need to have more than one mug. (YOU CAN HAVE AS MANY AS YOU NEED AS IT IS NOT MEDICINE BASED).


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.


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!



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