Sore throats are nightmares that come in diminutive packaging.
They sting and scratch and become so painful that it literally kills you to swallow. To alleviate your miseries, follow the steps mentioned below.
1. Stay Away from Cold Drinks
With a throat infection gradually building up, drinking ice-cold fluids will most likely be a death sentence. Not only will it chill your throat further but will also aggravate the viral infection. Instead, drink lots of warm beverages to soothe the sore throat. Sweet tea, coffee, milk, soup and warm water with honey will keep the mucous layer thin, and will also make it easier for you to swallow food.
2. Honey and Lemon Tincture
The acid content in fruit juices tends to aggravate the stinging feeling, but the effects of drinking a mixture of lemon and honey in warm water have been unanimously successful. Not only can this concoction ably soothe the sore throat, the medicinal properties of honey and lemon can reduce the inflammation and clear the mucous too.
3. Salt Water Gargles
It is an age-old alternative to reduce the swelling in the tonsils and keep infections at bay. In a glass of hot, pre-boiled water, add a pinch of salt and stir well. Take a sip and gargle it for some time, before spitting it out. The gargling effect lets the heat from the water percolate to the affected glands and lets the salt temper down the infection. This helps reduce inflammation and the pain.
4. Honey and Peppercorn
Another tried and tested method in alleviating sore throats is the honey and peppercorn fix. Before going to bed, take a teaspoon of warm honey with two whole peppercorns. Bite down the kernels before swallowing it down. The anti-bacterial properties of black pepper will work all night to reduce the infection and the warm honey will coat the affected areas.
5. Ginger
Chewing on a slice of ginger will let the acrid juice percolate down the throat to relieve dryness, soothe the inflammation and cut through the mucous deposit. If the natural acrid taste of ginger is too strong for you, you can also try taking lozenges with ginger extracts. This will let you partake of the same benefits without the unpleasantly strong taste.
6. Medicines
If herbal fixes don’t seem to offer relief, it is best to consult a doctor. Sore throats might just be an initial manifestation of mono, influenza or seasonal allergies. If left untreated, they could grow on to cause serious damage to the vocal chamber in the long run. Antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs will help in relieving the affliction. Throat lozenges and cough syrups will help in soothing the throat temporarily.
By following the above-mentioned methods, you will be able to get rid of your sore throat in no time. If the condition continues to persist, you are advised to get in touch with your physician immediately.
