The hassle of a doctor’s visit and the cost of antibiotics can make having a sore throat even worse than it already is. Luckily, there are many household ingredients that work wonders for infected throats. These home remedies alleviate symptoms and eliminate bacteria at a fraction of the cost of prescription medications.
Gargling with warm salt water is one of the easiest ways to quickly reduce sore throat symptoms. The reason salt helps is that it acts as a natural dehydrator. The inflammation in sore throats is caused by bacteria that need wet environments to thrive. The salt draws out the fluid that accumulates in the inflamed area, creating a hostile environment for bacteria and germs. As long as you make sure not to swallow it, gargling with salt water a few times a day will reduce inflammation and speed up the recovery process. Gargling with an antiseptic mouthwash is also a good idea as this will kill germs directly.
Hot tea is another proven liquid cure for sore throats. The heat of the tea is soothing, and many sore throat remedies can be added for even more relief. Vinegar and garlic both have antibacterial properties. Add some apple cider vinegar or finely chopped garlic to your tea to kill the infection as you drink it. Honey and cinnamon are much tastier and just as effective. Like vinegar and garlic, cinnamon and honey have proven antibacterial effects. The consistency of honey also makes it soothing to an inflamed throat.
If left untreated, sore throats can be painful. These home remedies will allow you to reduce symptoms and kill germs using ordinary household items. If you try these cures and get plenty of rest and fluids, your throat infection should be gone in no time.
