A sore throat is capable of ruining anyone’s good day. Whether it be caused from a cold or post-nasal drip due to allergies, a sore throat can make life tough. However, there are lots of things one can try to get relief from irritated, scratchy, painful throats. Many remedies start right in the home too!
Rest – As with any illness, rest and relaxation help to soothe not only sore throats, but the body as a whole. A well rested body offers the best defense against the common cold, other viruses, and infection.
Chicken Soup – Every mom’s favorite cold remedy. The salt in the chicken broth contains anti-inflammatory properties, helping to reduce swelling while the warmth of the soup soothes sore throats. Plus, eating and swallowing solids can be harsh when the throat is irritated. Chicken soup solves that too!
Drink Lots of Fluids – Keeping the body hydrated is imperative when fighting any illness. Water and ice cubes provide cooling relief to sore throats while keeping the mucus membranes moistened, allowing them to fight off bacteria and irritants.
Herbal Tea – Switch out cool liquids for warm tea. Herbal tea provides immediate relief, soothing sore throats. If you choose a non-herbal tea, not only do you receive pain relief but also a healthy dose of antioxidants. Antioxidants help support immune systems and fight infections.
Gargle Saltwater – Gargle several times daily with a mix of warm water and salt. This combination helps to reduce swelling and loosen mucus. Additionally, the saltwater solution works to flush away bacteria and other throat irritants. Use ½ teaspoon of salt to 1 cup of warm water to create the solution.
Anti-Inflammatories – These over-the-counter medications are most likely already in your medicine cabinet. Products like Advil, Aleve, or Tylenol include an analgesic for pain relief and effectively reduce inflammation. Plus, if you are running a fever these medications can help to lower it.
Throat Lozenges – Original lozenges were designed as a hard candy, driving saliva production to keep the throat moist which helps in pain relief. However, it is recommended to use a cough drop that also contains a cooling or numbing ingredient like menthol or eucalyptus. Halls Mentho-Lyptus lozenges offer both ingredients for double to soothing relief.
Cough Syrup – Not only are cough syrups great for suppressing irritating coughs, they also provide temporary pain relief for sore throats. Many offer a multi-symptom formula, treating nasal and chest congestion among other things. Brands like NyQuil make 2 variations. One with their regular formula, which is great to get relief and sleep at night, and a daytime version that is non-drowsy so you can continue with your regular daily life.