Having a sore throat is no fun, especially when it interferes with many aspects of your everyday life, like eating, swallowing, sleeping, talking and more. While you might automatically think that when you get a sore throat, you're going to be out of commission for awhile (and this might be true), there are several natural ways you can help relieve sore throat pain.
1. Slippery Elm Lozenges
Lozenges, particularly with natural soothing support like slippery elm or other cooling ingredients, can provide comfort for throat soreness that just won't go away. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, the ingredient mucilage is found in slippery elm, which gains gelatin-like properties when it gets mixed with water. This makes it soothing to the throat as it coats it with a protective barrier.
2. Turmeric and Water
Gargling with a mixture of water and turmeric powder may be able to provide relief from a sore throat. Within turmeric lies the active ingredient curcumin, which can provide antioxidant protection and fight free radical damage. Turmeric may also be able to reduce inflammation, which can be a contributing factor to throat pain. With its bitter, peppery flavor, a turmeric gargle may be able to help improve sore throat and provide other health benefits.
3. Manuka Honey
Due to its wound-healing and antiviral properties, taking a spoonful of manuka honey on its own or mixing it with water may be able to help improve a sore throat. The sticky texture helps to coat the throat and make it less painful. According to WebMD, the many health benefits of manuka honey likely stem from its hydrogen peroxide and methylgloxal content, both of which may be able to fight bacteria and promote a healthier throat. Manuka honey should not be given to children under one year old.
4. Licorice Root
Licorice root may be able to provide soothing benefits for your sore throat as it acts as a coating substance. According to Dr. Oz, it can help get rid of mucus in your throat and nose and may also be able to improve coughs. Several drops of liquid licorice root can be mixed with water and ingested for sore throat support. If you decide to use a licorice root product, make sure you choose one that is deglycrrhizinated, as it does not contain the active ingredient which may cause serious side effects.
5. Marshmallow Tea
The root of the marshmallow herb can be ground up and used in tea to produce a calming beverage that can help reduce irritation and inflammation in mucous membranes, like your throat. Additionally, store-bought puffy marshmallows may surprisingly be able to offer benefits as well for sore throat. The thought is that perhaps the gelatin-like composition of marshmallows is able to form a film over the throat to make it less irritated. Before using marshmallow root, you should talk to your doctor to make sure that it won't interfere with the absorption of any medications you may be taking.
Sore throats can pop up any time, and they can be terribly painful. If you've been to the doctor to rule out strep throat or any other infections, the aforementioned natural methods of relieving a sore throat may be useful. Pick up some of these products at eVitamins to help you start feeling healthier today!
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