A sore throat is a common respiratory problem that affects millions of people every year. Most of the time, it gets fine on its own. However, if your sore throat is not getting better or persists for more than 10 days, then you should seek medical assistance. Otherwise, many home remedies for a sore throat are also available to help you.
Sore throat
A sore throat, medically known as pharyngitis, is defined as a painful feeling in the back of your throat. Besides pain, you may feel irritation, scratchiness, and difficulty while swallowing or speaking. During this condition, the mucosa, which is the tissue lining in your throat, becomes inflamed.
Reasons for Sore throat:
- Viral infections like cold, flu, or COVID-19.
- Bacterial infections such as Strep throat.
- Irritants or allergies, including dust, smoke, pollution, etc.
Symptoms of Sore throat:
Although a sore throat itself is a primary symptom of many digestive as well as respiratory problems. However, considering it as a separate and serious concern (Pharyngitis), we can also observe the following symptoms in a patient:
- Pain or a scratchy feeling in the throat.
- Difficulty and pain while talking or swallowing.
- Redness and swelling in the throat.
- Accompanying cough, runny nose, fever, or headaches.
- Hoarseness or a muffled voice.
Underlying conditions causing a sore throat
Mostly, a sore throat stems from viruses (cold, flu, COVID-19), and bacteria like strep infection. However, there exist certain underlying conditions that may also be responsible for developing this respiratory concern. It mainly includes:
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Allergies: Allergies to pollen, dust, mold, pet dander, etc lead to postnasal drip, a condition where excessive mucus drips down the back of your throat, causing irritation, scratchiness, and soreness.
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Irritants: Spicy food, smoking, tobacco, chemical substances, etc., can also make your throat sore by directly inflaming the delicate throat lining.
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Acid reflux: People with GERD experience a sore throat quite often. In such a condition, the stomach acid flows back up into the esophagus and reaches the delicate tissues of the throat, resulting in soreness, irritation, inflammation, and damage.
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Overuse: Yelling, shouting, talking for longer periods, or singing may possibly lead to vocal cord strain, which in turn may contribute to problems like sore throat, temporary voice loss, or pain while speaking.
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Other conditions: Not so common, but yes, conditions like HIV, tumors, tonsil stones, any injury, dry weather, etc., can also be responsible for your sore throat problem.
How long Sore throat persist?
If you are having a sore throat due to a common cold or flu, then it might typically resolve within a week, i.e, 3 to 7 days. But note that if any bacterial infection, such as strep throat, had caused you this problem, then it may take longer to resolve. During such circumstances, you should surely take sore throat medicine.
Cure Available! But We Emphasise Prevention….
Many sore throat treatment options are available, through which one can get rid of this respiratory concern. However, we, Dr. Sharda Ayurveda, advise everyone to be a bit conscious about their routine diet and lifestyle. This way, they can prevent the risk of cold, flu, and viral infections, and eventually the complications associated with them, including sore throat.
However, if for any reason, you are bothered by a sore throat, there are multiple home remedies available for you that you can try at home. Being time-tested and approved by our health experts, these would surely soothe your respiratory system and provide you with long-term relief.
Home Remedies for Sore Throat
Fortunately, there exist many home remedies that you can try to get relief, especially when you do not want to opt for a sore throat medicine. It mainly includes:
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Salt water gargles: Simply mix ½ teaspoon of salt in 1 cup of warm water. Now, gargle with it for 30 seconds and then spit it out.
The diluted salt through Osmosis will draw excessive fluid out of the inflamed throat cells, thereby reducing swelling and discomfort. Additionally, it will also rinse away possible bacteria, viruses, food particles, etc.
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Honey: Madhu, commonly called honey, is considered the best remedy for a sore throat. Its thick consistency works as a natural and soothing layer that helps to reduce irritation and cough.
For this, you may simply add 1-2 tsp of honey to a glass of warm water. Otherwise, you may make and sip herbal tea, adding honey.
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Baking soda: Gargling with warm water containing baking soda and salt is also quite helpful for sore throat pain relief.
To try this remedy, mix ¼ teaspoon of baking soda and ⅛ tsp of salt in 1 glass of warm water. Doing gargles with this home-made medicated water will help break up mucus, kill bacteria, and prevent fungal growth in your throat and respiratory passages.
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Chamomile tea: All herbal teas are good when it comes to soothing a painful sore throat. However, chamomile, being a powerhouse of many anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antioxidant effects, can work wonderfully.
Besides making the tea, you can even do gargles of chamomile-infused water or take its herbal steam.
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Ginger: Ginger is a kind of Ayurvedic medicine for a sore throat. Its katu (pungent) and ushna (heating) nature helps reduce the swelling, irritation, and inflammation of your throat.
Additionally, it also kills the harmful bacteria and fights back infections, a crucial aspect for sore throat management. For relief, you can either sip ginger tea, add it to your routine meals, or simply chew a small slice of raw ginger.
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Peppermint: You can also use peppermint for sore throat treatment. It contains menthol, a natural substance known for its soothing and cooling effects. By acting as a decongestant agent, it makes the mucus thin and reduces the irritation or swelling.
The best way to use peppermint would be to make its tea, for which you can either use dried leaves/extract of peppermint.
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Fenugreek: Using fenugreek seeds is one of the best sore throat remedies. It contains a gel-like substance, called mucilage, that coats and lubricates the throat, soothing irritation and reducing pain.
To make fenugreek tea, steep 1 teaspoon of fenugreek in 1 glass of boiling water. After 10 minutes, simply strain the seeds and drink the water. If not tea, you can use fenugreek-infused water for garles. It will also be helpful for your sore throat.
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Marshmallow roots: Using marshmallow roots is one traditional remedy through which treatment of a sore throat has been done. Its high mucilage content creates a slippery and protective film over inflamed throat tissues and makes it a wonderful Ayurvedic remedy for a sore throat.
To use, you can simply steep some dried marshmallow roots in cold water overnight. Then the next day in the morning, strain the roots, and sip the water. Otherwise, you can make a herbal tea or herbal water using marshmallow roots or extract.
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Slippery elm: You can also use slippery elm, as it also works as an instant remedy for a sore throat. The inner bark of this tree contains mucilage, a gel-like substance that coats and soothes your irritated throat lining.
To use slippery elm, you can either go with the traditional way by making an herbal tea of it. Otherwise, lozenges, capsules, and tablets are also available in the market; you can try them.
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Apple cider vinegar: With its antibacterial action and calming effects, ACV can also serve as a quick remedy for a sore throat. Combine 1-2 tablespoons of ACV into 8 ounces of warm water, and boom!.
Your simple yet effective remedy for throat soreness is ready. Sip it along with some honey and salt (for taste).
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Vegetable soups and broth: To calm the irritation of your throat and alleviate the pain, soreness, and swelling, you can try vegetable soups and broths.
Instead of hot, opt for warm soups because they soothe the throat and clear the congestion without causing any harm. On one side, they contain salt, which will provide you with electrolytes, and on the other hand, the herbs like garlic, ginger, tulsi, etc will boost your overall immune system.
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Herbal stem: Last, but not least, take steam. In fact, it is what kills a sore throat fast overnight, as per some experts. The moisture and warmth of the stem will prevent your throat from unwanted dryness, irritation, and congestion.
Besides taking stem from the normal water, you can add herbs like turmeric, ginger, garlic, lavender, peppermint, chamomile, thyme, etc. The respiratory health boosting qualities of these herbs will surely target your sore throat causes and provide you with natural relief.
Even after many home remedies or medications, your sore throat is not healing, or your condition is becoming worse, then instead of delaying, you should seek medical advice and treatment from your nearest doctor or Ayurveda expert.
