Sore throat is a condition that causes irritation and inflammation of the throat. It can occur due to bacterial infection or viral infection. Sore throat can cause discomfort in eating and swallowing. Medical conditions like fever, common cold, laryngitis, infections like influenza, mumps and herpangina can cause sore throat. Streptococcus infection, tonsillitis, epiglottises, and sexually transmitted diseases can cause sore throat. For some people sore throat can be caused due to allergies, and reflux disease like GERD can cause sore throat.
1. Rinsing With Salt Water
Most of the cases of sore throat can get resolved if you simply gargle with lukewarm water. Add 1-2 tsp of table salt in a cup of lukewarm water. Now gargle this solution such that the salt water touches your throat. Salt is very effective in relieving the sore throat helping in neutralizing the acidity in the throat.
Prepare fresh salt water and heat it to the extent you can tolerate the heat in your throat. Repeat this simple home remedy 4-5 times a day to get rid of sore throat. Salt water helps in balancing the irritated mucus membrane and reduces swelling caused by throat infection. It really shrinks down the swollen cell in turn reducing pain and inflammation.
2. Lemon Juice
Add few drops of lemon juice in a cup of warm water and gargle it thoroughly. Virus and bacteria may not be able to tolerate the strong acidity of lemon and would perish shortly. Lemon also helps in repairing the injured membrane and reducing swelling.
3. Ginger and Lemon
Crush some pieces of ginger, add few drops of honey and lemon and mix it in a cup of hot water. Drink this juice slowly. As the juice enters your throat, it would soothe the passage. Hone and lemon are capable of reducing inflammation and irritation in the throat caused by infection. Ginger is an effective remedy for sore throat.
4. Sage With Water
Mix 1 tsp of sage, little brown sugar and few drops of vinegar in a cup of hot water. By drinking this solution for 2-3 days sore throat can be cured.