Now that winter is in full force, it also means that we are more prone to catch a sore throat and we all know that a sore throat can be a royal pain in the uh…throat. Like blinking, we never notice how much we swallow until we start paying attention to it, and when it hurts like nobody’s business, it’s kind of difficult not to pay attention. Of course, like anything else, it is important to get an accurate diagnosis, but the usual cause is a virus or bacteria, though throat irritation may also be caused by smoking, dry heat, postnasal drip or an allergic reaction.
But before you go getting down about how long you’re going to have to suffer with it -relief may be closer than you think.
1. Gargle With Warm Salt Water:
For fast and effective sore-throat relief, nothing beats an old-fashioned salt water gargle. When our throats hurt, regardless of what causes it, it’s because the cells in the mucous membranes have become swollen and inflamed. By gargling with salt water you decrease the swelling, as salt’s primary function is to draw out water, which in turn shrinks the swollen cell and eases the pain. It also helps wash away the excess mucous and allows your stuffy nose (if you have one) to drain properly.
You will need…
-1 cup of warm water (8 oz.)
-½ teaspoon of table salt
Directions
Heat water until it’s warm, but not hot. Thoroughly mix in salt. Gargle. Repeat 3 times throughout the day as needed. Any more than that and you risk drying out healthy soft tissue making things worse.
2. Mix up an ACV drink
Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) is probably right up there with garlic (it’s unfortunate the things that make us better can’t taste delicious) but some people swear by it. Its high levels of acidity can kill bacteria quite efficiently, and when mixed with honey it can soothe the soreness in your throat as well.
You will need…
-1 tablespoon of Apple Cider Vinegar
-1 tablespoon of honey
-1 cup of very warm water
Directions
Mix the ACV and honey into very warm water. Drink it while it’s still warm!
OR
If you don’t want to swallow it (and it does have a strong taste) try 2 tablespoons of ACV and mix with ½ cup warm water. Gargle once a day.
3. Suck on Garlic
Yup, it sounds repulsive, but garlic is a natural remedy that can kick a painfully swollen sore throat right smack in the middle. The reason lies in the garlic’s allicin, a compound that 
can kill the bacteria that causes strep and fight the germs causing pain and irritation. It has antibiotic and antifungal properties that can heal many types of sore throat.
You will need…
-1 fresh clove of garlic, sliced in half
Directions
Place 1 piece of garlic in each cheek, and suck on it like a cough drop. Occasionally crush your teeth against it to release the allicin- there’s no need to actually bite it. Try this once daily.
4. Steam It Out
Steam can ease a sore throat-particularly one that hurts due to dryness-shorten its duration, and make it easier to breathe if you’re congested. You don’t have to head to your gym’s sauna/steam room to get the treatment either-there are ways to use steam as a remedy without leaving the comfort of your home.
You will need…
-1 medium to large bowl
-Enough hot water to fill your bowl about halfway
-1 bath towel or a towel of similar size
-Eucalyptus oil (optional)
Directions
Boil a pot of water and pour it into your bowl. Lean over the bowl so that you can fully inhale the rising steam-you don’t have to stick your face right up to it. Drape the towel over your head to create a tent for the steam. Add a few drops of eucalyptus oil if you’d like to make it more soothing. If you’re worried about frightening someone who walks in on a mysterious towel-draped creature snuffling and sniffling over a bowl of steaming water, taking a hot shower and letting the bathroom steam up can provide some relief as well.
5. Get Your Rest & Fluids
It’s an obvious one, but it’s repeated so often for a reason, so don’t brush it off. Combine it with other natural remedies, and it may boost their effectiveness as well. Make sure you’re 
letting your body rest, and drink as much fluid as you can!
You will need…
-A comfy place to curl up
-Water, orange juice, more water, herbal tea, and anything else liquid you deem appropriate (alcohol and caffeine should be avoided.)
Directions
Get a good book or order your favorite movie. Get cozy, rest, and drink, drink, drink!
6. Mix & Match
There is obviously a theme to the kinds of ingredients used in the home remedies for sore throats. If you know what they are, and know what’s causing the sore throat, you can try different combinations to see what works for you. There’s a surprising amount of variation, even on things as simple as salt water gargles! Some examples- some people will suggest simply lemon juice and honey, while some say honey and warm water, or others say combine all three and then add a pinch of cayenne.
If none of the remedies above seem to do it for you, below are 5 ingredients that we found to be the most prevalent in helping a sore throat, be it on their own, combined, or in another form.
- Salt: It draws the water out of your swollen mucus membranes, reducing swelling and pain.
- Honey: Comforting and soothing honey helps coat the throat when it is dry, scratchy and painful. It also kills bacteria. It should not be given to children under 2 years of age.
- Lemon: Cuts through unwanted mucus, kills bacteria, and can help dull the pain in sore spots. Often used with honey.
- Apple Cider Vinegar: It’s a major germ-buster, and while it may seem counter-intuitive, ACV can really help relieve your sore throat.
- Baking Soda: Due to its PH levels it can help soothe minor skin irritations, and also helps rid your body of bad bacteria that could be lurking about and making things worse.
Homeopathy
Along with taking these natural remedies, homeopathic remedies can be helpful in shortening the duration, easing the pain, and speeding up recovery from a recently developed sore throat. However, recurrent, severe sore throats are best treated by a homeopathic practitioner who will aim to prescribe in order to strengthen the body’s defenses against infection. Homeopathic remedies are safe and can be very effective in helping with your sore throat. There are different remedies available specific to your symptoms.
Of course, your constitutional remedy will work best at a holistic level to help with the sore throat and all other symptoms, so you may choose to have your constitutional case taken by a qualified homeopath, especially if the sore throat is a recurring condition.
Some remedy suggestions to help deal with a sore throat are:
Aconite: Consider this remedy if a sore throat develops dramatically and abruptly after exposure to dry, cold winds. Aconite can ease a sore throat that emerges early in the morning when you wake feeling fearful, restless, and agitated. The throat feels dry, tingly, and/or numb with a sensation of acute pain and constriction when swallowing.
Belladonna: Opt for this remedy at the first twinge of a sore throat, especially if it is accompanied by a sense of being feverish with hot, flushed, dry skin. Signature symptoms include a nasty dry sensation in the throat with burning and throbbing pains that make it very difficult to swallow even liquids.
Hepar sulph: If there is a sharp pain that feels as though a splinter were sticking into the sore throat (which is often worse on the right), try Hepar sulph. Glands may also be swollen and painful, while any mucus present is likely to be thick and yellowish. Contact with the slightest draft of cold air intensifies pain, distress, and irritability. Warmth feels comforting.
Diet
Avoid pungent and spicy foods. Eating cool fruit that feels good to the throat for a couple of days may be more comfortable. An ice cold fruit juice popsicle can be an effective temporary anesthetic for a sore throat. Also, reduce your intake of dairy and simple carbohydrates and stick to a diet that consists primarily of vegetables and whole grains.
If you are experiencing an acute sore throat, foods that are light and mild in flavour may be helpful, such as persimmons, olives, figs, turnips, peppermint and honeysuckle. For chronic sore throats, pears and water chestnut can be helpful.
Supplements
Vitamin C supports the immune system. Take 500 – 1,000 mg every four hours until the symptoms subside. Bioflavonoids (Vitamin P) – this is the collective name given to rutin, hesperidin and quercitin –work synergistically with Vitamin C and have immune-enhancing properties of their own. Take 1,000 mg in two 500 mg doses a day, or better still, use a Vitamin C supplement that includes bioflavonoids!
Zinc supports the immune system and may have some antiviral properties. We always recommend Zinc for a sore throat. Zinc lozenges are effective too, 25 mg of lozenges a day for one week.
I hope that you found these hints helpful and wish you a great and of course, healthy winter. If you have any questions or comments about this article, homeopathy, or any other of our offered services and products, please contact us at (519) 603-0505 and we will be happy to talk to you. Or, to book an appointment, please call us or go online to www.kwhomeopathicmedicine.com
Irene Schwens, C.Tran., DHMHS
Homeopath
