Sore Throat Home Remedies

Sore throat or strep throat is a feeling of pain at the back of throat, which only gets worse when you try to swallow something. There are innumerable causes, such as infection by bacteria, virus, fungus etc. Sore throat can also result due to certain allergies or excessive shouting. Often, it is a symptom of some underlying illness like cold and flu, tonsillitis, mumps etc. Pharyngitis, epiglottitis, laryngitis, tonsillitis etc., are the different terms used for sore throat, depending upon the afflicted region. As sore throat is a common illness, most people try to cure it at home, with the help of over the counter medicines or certain natural sore throat home remedies.

Home Remedies for Sore Throat

Gargle
Gargling with warm water is one of the best remedies for a sore throat. Add a spoonful of common salt in a glass of warm water and use this water to gargle. Salt is known to reduce the swelling, as well as it acts like a disinfectant. Warm water opens the congestion in throat and frees it. Gargle at least 3 - 4 times a day until sore throat cures completely.

Basil Leaves
Herbs like basil leaves are great home remedies for most common illnesses, including common cold. Take 2 glasses of water and add 15-20 crushed basil leaves. Boil the water and set it aside. Strain it and let it cool for some time. You can either use it to gargle or you can drink it. Alternatively, you can also make juice of basil leaves and add a pinch of turmeric powder to it and drink it before going to bed. This is a good home remedy for sore throat.

Cinnamon
Boil a glass of water and add a spoonful of coarsely powdered cinnamon in it. Also, add a pinch of pepper powder and 2 tsp honey. Drink this concoction, while it's still hot. Alternatively, you can also mix cinnamon powder in honey with a pinch of turmeric and swallow it. This is a great sore throat cure.

Fenugreek Seeds
Add a handful of fenugreek seeds in half a liter water and let it boil. After some time you will notice that the fenugreek seeds has turned the water yellow. Strain this water and allow it to cool for some time. Use this water to gargle for 2-3 times a day. You can also add a few fenugreek seeds in the tea before drinking it.

Extract of Bark of Mango Tree
Bark of mango tree is yet another effective home remedy for sore throat. Hence, if you find the extract of bark of mango tree, you can use it to cure any kind of throat problem. Add a spoonful of bark of mango tree oil in hot water and gargle with this water.

Milk and Turmeric
Add a pinch of turmeric to a lukewarm glass of milk. Drink this milk before going to bed every night. This is the most effective and oldest of all the homemade remedies for sore throat. Continue this practice even when you have cured sore throat, since this concoction has several health benefits.

The above homemade remedies are great when you have a sore throat resulting due to common illness. However, for curing chronic sore throat you can rely on some homeopathic remedies, which are supposedly effective. Also, it would be wise to consult your physician in case of prolonged sore throat.