Some home remedies, such as tea tree essential oil and ginger tea with honey, help treat a sore throat, as they have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effects, reducing inflammation and pain in the throat.
Furthermore, gargling with warm water and salt also helps to relieve inflammation in the throat, because it has antibacterial action, eliminating possible bacteria that are aggravating this inflammation.
A sore throat can arise due to situations such as rhinitis or a cold, tonsillitis or COVID-19, for example. Therefore, in the case of a sore throat, it is recommended to consult a doctor to assess the possible cause and begin the most appropriate treatment. Better understand the causes and how to treat sore throat.
Some natural home remedies that help treat sore throat are:
1. Tea tree essential oil
Tea tree essential oil, also known as tea treehas bactericidal, antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties, making it a great option to help treat a sore throat.
Ingredients:
- 2 drops of melaleuca (tea tree) essential oil;
- 1 dessert spoon of vegetable oil (coconut, olive or avocado);
- 200 ml of warm water.
Preparation mode:
In a glass, mix the essential oil and vegetable oil well with a spoon. Then add the water, mixing well. After oral hygiene, gargle 3 times with the mixture, then spit out the water. Repeat the procedure 3 more times. Do this gargle once a day.
This gargle cannot be ingested. People with sensitive skin should avoid this gargle, as tea tree essential oil can cause skin irritation.
2. Ginger tea with honey
Honey helps hydrate, reducing throat irritation. Ginger helps to treat a sore throat, because it is rich in gingerol, chogaol and zingerone, phenolic compounds with powerful anti-inflammatory, bactericidal and antimicrobial action.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup of water;
- 1 cm of fresh ginger root;
- 1 dessert spoon of honey.
Preparation mode:
In a pan, place the ginger and water and bring to a boil over low heat for 10 minutes. Let the mixture cool, strain, sweeten with honey and drink up to 3 cups of this tea a day.
This tea is not recommended for children under 6 years of age and people with gallstones. It is also contraindicated for those who are allergic to honey, fructose intolerance, irritable bowel syndrome, hemorrhagic diseases or who use anticoagulant medications.
Furthermore, pregnant women and people taking medications to control high blood pressure and diabetes should only consume this tea under the guidance of a doctor.
3. Star anise tea
Star anise tea is a good option for a home remedy for a sore throat, as it is rich in phenolic compounds with antiviral, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial action, which help to relieve a sore throat.
Ingredients:
- 1 teaspoon of ground star anise seeds or 2 anise stars;
- 250 ml of boiling water.
Preparation mode:
In a pan, boil the water. After turning off the heat, add the anise seeds or stars to the water, cover and let it rest for 10 minutes. Then strain and drink up to 3 cups of this tea per day.
This tea is contraindicated for children, people with high estrogen levels in the body and pregnant or breastfeeding women.
4. Eucalyptus and propolis syrup
Eucalyptus and propolis syrup has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties that strengthen the immune system, fighting inflammation in the throat and respiratory tract.
Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon of chopped eucalyptus leaves;
- 1 cup of water;
- 5 drops of propolis extract.
Preparation mode:
In a pan, place the eucalyptus leaves and water, bringing to a boil for 1 minute. Turn off the heat, cover and let rest for 5 minutes. Strain, add propolis, mixing well, and drink. It is recommended to drink 1 cup of this syrup up to 3 times a day.
This syrup should not be used by children under 3 years of age, during pregnancy or breastfeeding. In the same way, this syrup is not recommended for people with allergies to bees or eucalyptus, gallbladder or liver problems.
5. Gargle with warm salt water
Gargling with warm salt water relieves throat irritation because it helps dissolve mucus that may be present in the throat, causing discomfort. Furthermore, salt has antibacterial action, eliminating possible bacteria that are causing a sore throat.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup of warm water;
- 1 tablespoon of salt.
Preparation mode:
Mix the ingredients well with a spoon, until the salt dissolves completely. After oral hygiene, gargle with the mixture for as long as possible, then spit out the water. Repeat the procedure 3 more times. Gargle 3 to 4 times a day, or as needed. See other gargle recipes for sore throats.
6. Chamomile tea
Chamomile tea has anti-inflammatory action, strengthening the immune system and helping to treat a sore throat. Honey helps hydrate, relieving throat irritation.
Ingredients:
- 1 teaspoon of dried chamomile flowers;
- 1 cup of water.
Preparation mode:
In a pan, add water and bring to a boil. Turn off the heat, add the chamomile flowers, cover the pan and let it rest for 5 minutes. Strain the drink and drink up to 4 cups of this tea per day.
This chamomile tea is not recommended for babies under 6 months and people with allergies to chamomile and plants from the same family such as daisy, ragweed and chrysanthemums. Additionally, people who are using anticoagulants, sedatives, painkillers or other medications should speak to a doctor before drinking this tea.
Tea with chamomile (Matricaria recutita) can be used during pregnancy and breastfeeding. However, Roman chamomile tea should be avoided, as there are still no studies that prove the safety of using this type of plant during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
7. Pomegranate juice with honey
Pomegranate has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial action, strengthening the immune system and relieving inflammation in the throat, such as laryngitis, pharyngitis and tonsillitis. Honey lubricates, reducing discomfort and pain in the throat.
Ingredients:
- Pulp of 1 pomegranate;
- 1 teaspoon of honey;
- 200 ml of water.
Preparation mode:
Place the pomegranate pulp, water and honey in a blender. Beat for 2 minutes or until the drink is very homogeneous. Transfer to a glass and serve. This juice can be consumed up to 2 times a day.
This juice should not be consumed by children under 2 years of age and by people with fructose intolerance, irritable bowel syndrome or allergies to honey. Pregnant or breastfeeding women should consult a doctor before consuming this juice.
8. Mint tea
Mint tea has analgesic, antiviral, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, helping to combat inflammation in the throat and relieving symptoms such as sore throat, cough and nasal congestion.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup of water;
- 1 tablespoon of mint leaves.
Preparation mode:
In a pan, add water and bring to a boil. Turn off the heat, add the mint leaves, cover the pan and let it rest for 5 minutes. Strain the drink and drink immediately. Drink up to 4 cups of this tea per day.
Mint tea is not recommended for pregnant or breastfeeding women. Likewise, it is not recommended for children under 5 years of age and for people with reflux, hiatal hernia, kidney or gallstones and inflammation of the gallbladder.
