SORE THROAT REMEDIES: NATURAL GARGLES

Gargling is a simple and remarkably effective way to kill germs and soothe a sore throat. Try one of these homemade gargles next time you're looking to relieve throat pain.

Salt and water

Try grandma's sore throat remedy by mixing 1⁄4 teaspoon salt in 1 cup warm water. (Use the hottest water you can comfortably tolerate. Cold gargles are ineffective.) If you have it, add 1 tablespoon of Listerine for germ-killing power. The briny solution helps rinse away and neutralize acids in the throat, relieving the burning sensation and promoting fast healing of irritated mucous membranes. Note: Mix a fresh batch of gargle for every use. Better to waste a bit pouring it out than to leave it in your glass, where it might become contaminated with bacteria. Also, do not swallow the gargle; spit it out.

Lemon and water

Mix 1 teaspoon lemon juice in 1 cup water for this home remedy for sore throats; the astringent juice will help shrink swollen throat tissue and create a hostile (acidic) environment for viruses and bacteria.

Ginger, honey, and lemon in water

This home remedy mixes 1 teaspoon each of powdered ginger and honey, 1⁄2 cup of hot water, and the juice of 1⁄2 squeezed lemon. Pour the water over the ginger, then add the lemon juice and honey, and gargle. Honey coats the throat and also has mild antibacterial properties.

Hot sauce and water

The capsicum in hot peppers helps alleviate pain and fights inflammation. Add five shakes of ground cayenne pepper (or a few shakes of hot sauce) to a cup of hot water for sore throat relief. It'll burn, but try this gargle every 15 minutes and see if it helps.

Sage and water

Sage can soothe a sore throat and ease painful or swollen nasal passages. One traditional home remedy calls for 1 teaspoon sage, 1⁄2 teaspoon alum, 1⁄4 cup brown sugar, 3⁄8 cup vinegar, and 1⁄8 cup water.

Turmeric and water

This yellow spice is a powerful antioxidant, and scientists think it has the strength to fight many serious diseases. For a sore throat remedy, mix 1/2 teaspoon of turmeric and 1/2 teaspoon of salt into 1 cup of hot water and gargle.

Wheatgrass juice

Another good remedy: Wheatgrass juice. A quick rinse and spit with this chlorophyll-rich liquid helps prohibit bacteria growth and ease throat pain. Held in the mouth for five minutes or so, wheatgrass juice is said to help revitalize weakened gums and stop toothache pain.

Clove tea

Add 1 to 3 teaspoons of powdered or ground cloves to water, then mix and gargle. Cloves have antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that can help soothe and heal a sore throat.

Tomato juice

For temporary relief of sore throat symptoms, gargle with a mixture of 1/2 cup tomato juice and 1/2 cup hot water, plus about 10 drops hot pepper sauce. The antioxidant properties of lycopene may help remedy a sore throat faster.

Green tea

Green tea is known to naturally fight infections. Next time you brew a cup, make a little extra and gargle with some of this remedy to kill any bacteria your sore throat may be harboring. 

Apple cider vinegar and salt

If your throat is left raw by a bad cough, grab a bottle of apple cider vinegar because germs can't survive in the acidic coating it'll form on your throat. Gargle with 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar and 1 teaspoon salt dissolved in a glass of warm water; use several times a day if needed. For a gentler treatment, combine 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar and 1/4 cup honey and take 1 tablespoon every four hours. 

Goldenseal and water

Gargling with the herbal germ-killer goldenseal (1 1⁄2 teaspoons goldenseal tincture in 8 ounces water) kills viruses and bacteria as it soothes inflamed throat tissue.

Echinacea and water

Echinacea is an herbal virus-killer. Add 2 teaspoons tincture of echinacea to 1 cup water and gargle this home remedy three times daily. In addition to easing sore throat pain, an echinacea gargle will give your immune system the boost it needs to fight the infection.

Myrrh and water

You may be able to speed the healing process with myrrh (a few drops of tincture of myrrh in a cup of water). Highly astringent, myrrh is superb at combating inflammation. It’s an antiseptic too. Gargle six times a day—a bit of an effort, true, but well worth it.

Licorice water

Licorice root can soothe a sore throat and eliminate cough-inducing phlegm; a 2009 study found that post-operative patients who gargled with a licorice solution were less likely to develop a sore throat post-surgery. Mix one teaspoon of licorice syrup or powder with eight ounces of water and swish.

Raspberry tea

Raspberry tea is an old home remedy believed to treat everything from the flu to open wounds. One recipe calls for pouring 1 cup of boiling water over 2 teaspoons of dried tea leaves. Steep for 10 minutes, then strain and let cool a bit. Gargle while warm.

HEALTH BENEFITS OF TEA

Natural teas can treat everything from arthritis to an upset stomach, without the unwanted side effects of over-the-counter medications.
Black Tea

• Full of tannic acids with strong anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, black tea can calm diarrhea or bloating by helping the body absorb fluids better.
• Wet tea bags will also reduce swelling on cuts, bee stings, bug bites, toothaches, or eyes suffering from conjunctivitis. • Poison ivy rash? Soak the area with 3 to 5 black tea bags for itch relief.
• The alkalines in black tea also neutralize acids and can relieve pain in canker and cold sores; apply a damp, cooled tea bag to the area, repeating 3 to 4 times a day.
• A black-tea foot soak will also kill bacteria and close pores, helping you sweat less and reduce odor.
Green Tea

• Researchers suspect that polyphenols in green tea may play an important role in cancer prevention, believing they help kill or slow cancer cells' growth. In a study of 472 women with breast cancer, those who drank the most green tea experienced the least spread of the disease. • In skin-cancer studies, lab animals given green tea developed one tenth as many tumors as animals who drank water. • Green tea also has been shown to lower your risk of dying from heart disease or stroke; reduce rates of tooth decay; and stop a decline in mental ability. • When it comes to memory, a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition discovered that drinking just one cup of green tea a day made folks 55 and older 38 percent less likely to experience a decline in their mental abilities; drinking a second cup daily made them 54 percent less likely to show declines. • Studies have also shown that using green tea as a face wash or compress helps reduce acne blemishes.
Mint Tea

• Mint tea is excellent at stimulating digestion and dispelling gas to ease constipation, nausea, and vomiting. • A study in the Journal of Gastroenterology found that IBS patients taking peppermint-oil capsules for symptom relief experienced an approximately 40 percent greater reduction in abdominal pain and a 50 percent greater reduction in bloating and flatulence than those patients receiving a placebo. Researchers believe it may reduce the gag reflex by anesthetizing the stomach lining. • Drink a cup before each meal to calm your stomach muscles and help food move a little faster, especially if you’re indulging in fatty foods. • Mint tea can also be used to relieve throat pain, refresh achy feet (soak in cooled tea), and clear sinus pain.
Chamomile Tea: for stress

• Sipping chamomile tea or taking a chamomile bath are proven methods to reduce stress and anxiety. • The soothing tea is also a known remedy for sleep disorders and insomnia thanks to its sedative properties. • Chamomile also has antispasmodic properties that help with digestive issues. A cup of tea will reduce menstrual cramps, diarrhea, morning sickness, and general nausea and vomiting. • Researchers believe chamomile contains plant compounds that may lessen the gag reflex. • Chamomile inhibits the growth of bacteria that cause stomach ulcers. Honey also helps fight ulcers, so add a little to your tea to help ulcers heal.

Chamomile Tea: for inflammation

• Strong chamomile tea can be applied to achy, arthritic joints for soothing relief, and to acne, blisters, or boils to reduce pain and redness. • A chamomile compress can also ease the swelling and itch of hives. • Used as a mouthwash, chamomile reduces gum pain and helps heal gingivitis. • Sipping or gargling with chamomile will reduce inflammation if you have a sore throat.
Lemon Tea

• If you suffer from allergies, a cup of hot lemon tea will wake up the hairs in your nose that keep pollen and dust out of your nasal passages, helping to reduce sneezing and coughing throughout the day. Add a little sage, fennel, or anise from your spice rack to boost the effect. • Lemon tea is also very effective as a cold remedy, where the astringent lemon shrinks swollen throat tissue. Add a little honey (a powerful natural antioxidant and antibiotic) to soothe and coat your throat.
Ginger: for digestion

• When it comes to digestive issues, ginger has been used for thousands of years to treat indigestion and diarrhea. Researchers believe it reduces intestinal contractions, neutralizes digestive acids, and curbs the brain’s “vomit center.” Two compounds in ginger also work on the inner ear and central nervous system, reducing dizziness and associated nausea. • Ginger also specifically targets the bacteria that causes stomach ulcers, H. pylori. Many swear by ginger tea for morning sickness, menstrual cramps, motion sickness, and as a hangover cure.
Ginger: for inflammation

• Ginger's anti-inflammatory properties make it a great remedy for a cold, the flu, or congestion. Herbalists refer to ginger as a diaphoretic; as it helps you sweat it can help break a fever. • Ginger can also provide pain relief if you suffer from arthritis or tendonitis, and it has also been shown to soothe even the most painful migraine. Drink ginger tea with honey for added antioxidant benefits.
Black Pepper Tea

• This unusual remedy, rooted in New England folk medicine and traditional Chinese medicine, works great for wet coughs. Black pepper stimulates circulation and mucus flow, while honey is a natural cough reliever and antibiotic. Place 1 teaspoon of freshly ground black pepper and 2 tablespoons of honey in a cup. Fill with boiling water and let steep, covered, for 15 minutes. Strain and sip as needed.
Thyme Tea

• Thyme is a strong antiseptic, and has been shown to lower the inflammation and pain of arthritis and gout patients. • A thyme-mint tea blend is a great solution to nasal or sinusitis pain, where the thyme calms inflamed sinuses and the mint acts as a natural decongestant. Inhale the steam from the hot thyme-mint tea for maximum effectiveness. • Achy feet? Simmer two tablespoons of dried thyme in a quart of boiling water for 20 minutes, then cool slightly and soak for 15 to 20 minutes.
Sage Tea

• Sage is known for its ability to soothe a sore throat and restore one's voice, but this herb also has elements that combat bacteria, viruses, and fungi. For a sore throat or laryngitis, gargle with sage tea or sip a cup that's been heavily sweetened with honey, which has mild antiseptic properties and will also help soothe inflamed, irritated throats. • Sage is also known to help ease night sweats that are associated with menopause.
Orange Peel Tea

• To help relieve diarrhea, make orange peel tea. Peel organic oranges (non-organic might have pesticides or dyes that can make your condition worse) and finely chop the peel, then toss in a pot of boiling water. Cover the pot tightly and steep until cool. Strain, sweeten with honey, and drink.

Lemon Balm Tea

• Herbalists call lemon balm “gladdening herb,” and for centuries this member of the mint family has been used to treat depression, anxiety, and sleep disorders naturally. • Lemon balm also contains two substances that fight herpes. Feel an outbreak coming on? Sip a cup of tea; you can also soak a cotton ball in lemon balm tea and apply it directly to cold sores and blisters in order to speed up healing.

Dandelion Tea

• Dandelion is a strong diuretic and stimulates blood circulation through the kidneys, helping to detox your kidneys and liver naturally. It's a good way to stimulate digestion before or after a big meal. When it comes to kidney health, this weed has been shown to reduce fluid retention resulting from kidney disorders, and also may help speed up the passing of a small kidney stone.

(Courtesy To iStock/Thinkstock & Reader's Digest)