Did your voice crack and make you sound like a chipmunk? Did your throat feel like it was burning? Did a tickle in your neck become an unbearable pain that makes you cringe even when you think about it? Well, if so, then you probably have a sore throat, and home remedies for sore throat are what you need most now.
Sore throats can be triggered by many things—from the weather to stress to too much talking or singing. I myself know how unpleasant and annoying it is. Luckily, some old yet effective home remedies from grandmas for sore throat can help get rid of this annoying symptom faster, safer, and more effectively than any drug.
So, before you run to the pharmacy, try this. I guarantee you’ve never heard of at least half of these tips!
Onion Syrup
Onion syrup is an ancient home remedy that has been around for centuries and is used for its beneficial aillments. It is especially helpful for soothing a sore throat. If you don’t like raw onions or onions as such, you should still try this because it is one of the most effective remedies for sore throat. After all, it’s still better to hold your breath and try it than suffer from a sore throat.
You need to get:
- a sealable jar with a lid
- 2 large onions
- 3-4 soup spoons of honey
Chop the onions, put them in a jar, and cover them with honey. Then close the jar and wait for the onion to release its juice. Typically this should take 2 to 4 hours. Then consume this syrup at least twice a day. Onion syrup remedy is especially effective if you make it fresh and consume it as soon as you start feeling sore throat symptoms.
Neck Compresses (Priessnitz Wrap)
The next home remedy for sore throat, which will inredibly relieve your throat, is the Priessnitz wrap. This remedy is highly effective and very easy to do. My mother’s family came from the Czech Republic and this trick comes from this tiny and beautiful European country. My grandmother passed on to me this valuable home remedy.
Vincenz Priessnitz, the Czech founder of natural healing, laid the foundations of modern hydrotherapy and contemporary spas in the 19th century. In addition to the healing effects of water, he also emphasized the beneficial health effects of fresh air. The most widespread method people in the Czech Republic use routinely is the neck compress bearing his name—Priessnitz.
The Priessnitz Compress works in three stages and consists of three parts:
Firstly, we apply a cloth soaked in cold water to the affected area (the neck). Next, we make sure that the fabric fits tightly to the skin. Thanks to the cold compress, the blood vessels in the place of its action will narrow in about three minutes.
Then, place a dry and impermeable layer on the wet fabric. Thick canvas or plastic is most often used. The temperature under the coating stabilizes, the blood vessels gradually expand, and the area becomes bloodier as a result.
The last layer is again a dry cloth, such as a scarf or thin towel. Thanks to this, the affected area gradually heats up more and more. The compress should be applied for 2-3 hours.
Salt Water Gargle
Another easy home remedy for sore throat is a salt water gargle. What you need to do is mix a pinch of sea salt with a glass of warm water. Now, gargle with this salt water and spit it out. This is one of the most effective home remedies to get rid of a sore throat caused by an infection.
Gargling with salt water helps eliminate the excess mucus in your throat, reduces infection, and helps you heal faster. Also, keep in mind that this is not a permanent remedy. So, use it only until your sore throat goes away. Don’t use it to soothe a sore throat caused by a cold or flu. I also recommend brushing your teeth after this method, as salt has no beneficial effects on tooth enamel.
Ginger And Turmeric Remedy
Another excellent home remedy for sore throat is ginger and turmeric. To make turmeric ginger tea, combine 1 teaspoon of turmeric powder with 1 teaspoon of freshly grated ginger and 2 cups of hot water. Let the mixture steep for 5–10 minutes, then strain and drink!
You can also add a pinch of cinnamon to make it more effective. Drinking this warm and soothing tea can help soothe your throat, make it less irritated, and reduce the pain and other symptoms of a sore throat. If you don’t like turmeric, ginger alone (e.g., ginger tea with a pinch of cinnamon) is sufficient. In addition, turmeric has antibacterial effects, similar to cinnamon, so that you can replace it with cinnamon.
Chicken Broth
Chicken broth is an incredible home remedy for sore throats, a cold, or even a hangover. Chicken broth can be prepared using the leftover parts of a whole chicken, such as the bones, wings, and feet. In addition, you can add vegetables to the broth to add flavor and health benefits or add herbs and spices for additional therapeutic benefits.
To make chicken broth, combine one pound of chicken bones, such as wings, feet, and necks, with eight cups of water in a large stockpot. Add one chopped onion, one chopped carrot, and one chopped celery stalk. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer for two to three hours. Strain the mixture through a fine mesh sieve or colander and discard the solids. Use the broth immediately or freeze it for later use.
I remember my grandmother made the chicken stock really thick and cooked it for five hours, but two to three hours was enough.
Clove And Honey Mix
Taking clove and honey together can relieve a dry, scratchy feeling in the throat. In addition, both help soothe sore throats, as mixing them creates an even more substantial healing effect.
To make the remedy, you’ll need a resealable jar, equal amounts of dried or fresh cloves, and honey. Pour the cloves into a glass and cover it with honey. Let it sit for at least 12 hours (preferably overnight.) Then eat at least three teaspoons of clove honey three times a day.
Be careful not to eat the clove, too, as it could get stuck in your throat!
Black Tea With Honey
Black tea with honey may sound like an ordinary home remedy that almost everyone knows. It is not so! People with a sore throat or cough most often reach for fruit teas, which are full of colorants and aromas, instead of plain black tea with honey.
Honey contains anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, while black tea has analgesic and antimicrobial properties. They both have anti-inflammatory effects and help soothe sore throat.
Preparing black tea may seem simple, but even here, people make mistakes! They often pour boiling water over black tea and immediately add honey, which is incorrect. If you put honey in boiling water, it will lose all its nutrients and only serve as a sweetener. Next time you make black tea, pour boiling water over it, wait at least 10 minutes, and then add honey.
Final Words
These home remedies will come in handy when your throat starts to feel scratchy and sore. The sooner you start using them, the faster you get rid of sore throat. So, did you know all these home remedies, or did some of them surprise you?
