When life ives you lemons, make lemonade. When life gives you a sore throat, make lemonade. Well, that’s probably what your grandma told you. But a girl can only take so many lemons before her teeth start to rot. Ew but true.
So here are four natural remedies for a sore throat. And guess what? None of them involve drinking straight lemon juice.
Fancy fresh breath and a soothed throat at the same time? Sore throats usually accompany pretty stinky breath. The American Cancer Society has revealed that sprays containing peppermint oil may relieve sore throats. This is because peppermint contains menthol which helps thin mucus and calm sore throats. It also contains anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial and antiviral properties that can encourage healing.
How to use it: Buy a spray containing peppermint oil and spritz it down the back of your throat whenever you feel necessary.
When you have a sore throat, the last thing you think you want is hot sauce. No no no no – instead give me some ice cream, lemonade and anything else with a crisp chill. But did you know the capsicum in hot peppers helps alleviate pain and fight inflammation.
How to use it: Add a few drops of hot sauce to a cup of hot water then mix. Try gargle this every 15 minutes – it will burn a little but it’ll also help.
Tomatoes probably aren’t the fruit you think of when you think of sore throat remedies. Despite not being yellow and citrusy, tomatoes can work really well without the sour sting. This is because of the lycopene in tomatoes which makes them an excellent antioxidant. This means you can soothe your throat for a little while.
How to use it: Mix 1/2 cup tomato juice with 1/2 cup hot water and add a few drops of hot sauce. Gargle this mixture when needed.
I’ve already raved about the benefits of apple cider vinegar – but here’s one I missed. Germs can’t survive in the acidic coating that apple cider vinegar forms in your throat. This is especially useful for bad coughs that tag along with sore throats.
How to use it: Mix 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar with 1 teaspoon salt dissolved in warm water. Use this several times a day. For a gentler remedy, mix 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar with 1/4 cup honey and take one tablespoon every four hours.
So here are four natural remedies for a sore throat. And guess what? None of them involve drinking straight lemon juice.
1. Peppermint
Fancy fresh breath and a soothed throat at the same time? Sore throats usually accompany pretty stinky breath. The American Cancer Society has revealed that sprays containing peppermint oil may relieve sore throats. This is because peppermint contains menthol which helps thin mucus and calm sore throats. It also contains anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial and antiviral properties that can encourage healing.
How to use it: Buy a spray containing peppermint oil and spritz it down the back of your throat whenever you feel necessary.
2. Hot sauce and water
When you have a sore throat, the last thing you think you want is hot sauce. No no no no – instead give me some ice cream, lemonade and anything else with a crisp chill. But did you know the capsicum in hot peppers helps alleviate pain and fight inflammation.
How to use it: Add a few drops of hot sauce to a cup of hot water then mix. Try gargle this every 15 minutes – it will burn a little but it’ll also help.
3. Tomato juice
Tomatoes probably aren’t the fruit you think of when you think of sore throat remedies. Despite not being yellow and citrusy, tomatoes can work really well without the sour sting. This is because of the lycopene in tomatoes which makes them an excellent antioxidant. This means you can soothe your throat for a little while.
How to use it: Mix 1/2 cup tomato juice with 1/2 cup hot water and add a few drops of hot sauce. Gargle this mixture when needed.
4. Apple cider vinegar and salt
I’ve already raved about the benefits of apple cider vinegar – but here’s one I missed. Germs can’t survive in the acidic coating that apple cider vinegar forms in your throat. This is especially useful for bad coughs that tag along with sore throats.
How to use it: Mix 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar with 1 teaspoon salt dissolved in warm water. Use this several times a day. For a gentler remedy, mix 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar with 1/4 cup honey and take one tablespoon every four hours.
