There are all types of reasons why you might experience a sore throat, but infection is by far the most common. They are usually caused by either tonsillitis or pharyngitis. Symptoms that often come along with a sore throat are redness, swelling, high fever, trouble swallowing and pain in the ear. Children are more likely to suffer with sore throats than adults because they are around contagions more at school and child care.
Causes, Diagnosing a Sore Throat
Most people tend to diagnose sore throats on their own. If it does not go away at the end of 7 days or comes with a high fever and purging then you should give your doctor a call right away. You need to be diagnosed by a professional, in this case.
Sore throats can be associated with too many medical conditions to attempt to list them all here. They can be caused by viruses or bacteria.
Bacterial Causes of Sore Throat
Ninety-five percent of the time sore throats are caused by viruses, infectious mononucleosis or a cold. The remaining 5 percent of the cases are bacteria driven. The culprits include streptococcus, hemophilus and mycoplasma. These types of infections are usually worse than those caused by viruses.
One of the most common types of bacterial throat infections is strep throat, or A Streptococcus. Not only is this bacterium bad for your throat but it can cause damage to your kidneys, heart, tonsils and ears.
Throat infections are almost always highly contagious. They pass from person to person in the form of airborne drops, through direct contact and from sharing objects with an infected person.
Environmental Causes of Sore Throat
Things in our environment and things that we consume can also lead to a sore throat. Smoking, drinking vast quantities of alcohol, inhaling second hand smoke and breathing in fumes from certain chemicals can all lead to problems.
No matter what the cause, your throat hurts. The one thing that you do know is that it is not comfortable and irritating. Before you leave and spend money on over-the-counter drugs, consider how you can aid yourself at home.
What Not to Do
To start, there are some things that you will want to avoid when caring for a sore throat:
- Avoid overuse of your vocal cords. Talk less and avoid yelling at all. You want the muscles in your throat to relax. Even whispering and chewing gum can cause stress on your throat muscles.
- Avoid going outside if the air is dry and cold. Conversely, indoor heating can be harmful as well. If you use indoor heating, you may want to try using a humidifier to counteract the dryness.
- Try to stay away from spicy or acidic foods that can irritate the inflamed tissue in your throat. Also avoid dairy products because they can cause an increase in phlegm.
Natural Remedies for Sore Throat
Gargle
The throat might be irritated because it is dried-out. Try gargling with salt water. While you gargle focus on the rear of your throat (without coughing). The mixture will comfort a rough dry mouth and throat. Duplicate this procedure every 60 minutes as required. Many gargle with H2O that has chili powder added. The spiciness in the gargle can numb the throat.
Drink a lot of Fluids
Once our throat becomes raw, we do not even wish to open our mouths. It may be difficult to eat and swallow with the anguish. This might lead to dehydration. For somebody with a sore throat, it may be serious. Consume a lot of H2O, tea, coffee (if you like it) and other low calorie drinks. Try using a straw if you can not manage to swig it down. It might be gentler on your sore throat anguish.
Honey
Honey comes from bees and is filled with their immunity. A tablespoonful of honey every day may help relieve irritation and pain by coating and calming the throat. It likewise features antibiotic properties.
Flush your sinuses
A sore throat may be caused from thick mucus secretions that are affiliated with a cold, flu or a sinus infection. Flushing the sinuses helps to dilute these secretions and then they can pass through and out.
Tea
Something warm on the throat might help alleviate the anguish. Sample a cupful of your preferred herbal tea with a little bit of fresh lemon juice. It can likewise comfort irritated throats and help with the anguish.
Add Moisture to the Air
Employing a warm air or cool mist humidifier might keep the air hydrated. Dry air can irritate a raw throat. Adding moisture perks up things.
Change Air Filters
Occasionally, sore throats may develop when the air Is not as clean inside your house as it could be. Replace the air filter every 3 months to guarantee that there’s a lower incidence of dust mites, dander, lint and dirt in the air.
Ascorbic Acid
Ascorbic acid is powdered vitamin C. This might help step-up your immunity to things such as sore throats. The healthier you are, the lower your hazards of becoming sick in the wintertime. You can take 1/4 tsp in juice 3 to 4 times per day while ill. Also supplementing with garlic (either a good supplement, or simply cut up a clove into pill-sized pieces and swallow as you would a pill) and zinc can also help you fight infection and recover more quickly.
Hot Peppers
It may seem contradictory, but hot and spicy peppers are reputed to help a sore throat. Try simmering some chicken stock with minced raw garlic and then add some red pepper. Sip several times a day.
Apple Cider Vinegar
While it stings when you use it, many swear by the effectiveness of apple cider vinegar. You can dilute it with warm water to use as a gargle that you can then swallow. You can make apple cider vinegar more palatable by mixing it with raw honey, water, and dried ginger and drinking this mixture hot or cold.
Herbs to Help a Sore Throat
Echinacea Tincture for Sore Throat
One of the best remedies for a sore throat is tincture of echinacea. It also has a numbing effect on the tissue it touches, so it provides almost immediate relief in addition to bringing its germ-fighting capabilities to the sore area. You can add the tincture to warm water to make a tea and/or gargle, or squirt a dropperful directly into your mouth and throat.
Ginger Tea
Do you have some ginger root in your refrigerator or dried in your pantry? Ginger is said to make an effective anti-inflammatory tea. Grate up about a teaspoon per cup, steep, and sweeten with some raw honey. You can drink this all day.
Licorice
Not the candy – true licorice is what you need to help soothe a sore throat. Licorice root may be sold in bulk at your local health food store, or you may be able to find a commercial blend of licorice tea. It has a natural sweetness and throat-coating, anti-inflammatory properties.
Slippery Elm
This herb has a history of soothing sore throats and coating mucous membranes to promote healing. You can make your own lozenges by mixing enough strong licorice tea with powdered slippery elm bark to make a dough. Roll out the dough to about 1/4 inch thick, cut it into small disks (try using the cap of a small bottle), and leave out on a paper plate until dry. Store them in a tin and suck on them as needed.
Get your dried, organic herbs, organic essential oils, bulk spices, loose leaf organic teas and aromatherapy supplies at the place where we shop – StarWest Botanicals!
Essential Oils for Sore Throat
Essential oils are a powerful way to deal with medicinal issues without having to take over-the-counter medications. When it comes to a sore throat, there are actually many oils that can help relieve the symptoms and even help you avoid them in the future.
Sore throats can be brought on by a myriad of things; allergies, smoking, acid reflux, weather, or public contagions like strep throat or the flu, but the symptoms remain the same; scratchy, irritated pharynx.
Sore throats are usually contagious so you have to be cautious. Wearing a mask over your mouth can help control the spread of the virus and you can also dab a few drops of an essential oil on the fabric to continue your personal healing process.
In this article, we will explore five essential oils that can help you restore a sore throat back to health. Peppermint, lemon, clove, eucalyptus, and oregano essential oil are veterans in the medicinal world and can offer great relief.
Lemon Oil
Lemon has long been praised for its detoxifying and cleansing properties, promoting removal of toxins via the lymphatic system. Drinking half a lemon in warm water with honey every morning can be a great way to keep the immune system happy and infection-free. Known to be antibacterial and anti-inflammatory, lemon helps soothe, calm, and relieve symptoms of sore throat. Lemon is also naturally high in vitamin C, making it a vital part of any home remedy. Add a few drops to your water or tea to keep the throat moist and flavor your water!
Peppermint Oil
Peppermint is known for its powerful calming effects on the nervous system and has been widely used to treat problems related to sinus, cough, cold, and inflammation. The menthol inside mint helps calm and soothe the throat giving an almost analgesic effect. This helps control cough and spasms.
Being a powerful antimicrobial agent, peppermint essential oil can be rubbed on the chest to help break up congestion. Add a few drops of peppermint essential oil to your tea or to the bath for added relief. Peppermint is an approved essential oil to be used during pregnancy.
Eucalyptus Oil
Eucalyptus is a powerful antioxidant that helps strengthen immunity. When inhaled, eucalyptus oil can help break up mucus and enhance respiratory issues, perfect for any sore throat. Use eucalyptus essential oil by dabbing 1-2 drops on a tissue and inhaling through the mouth and nose. It can be added to the bath or even rubbed on the chest. It is important to remember to mix this oil with a carrier oil, such as jojoba oil or coconut oil; otherwise, it could irritate the skin.
Oregano Oil
Oregano is not just an underappreciated spice, but actually an antiviral and antifungal infection fighter. This essential oil is safe enough to take every day for its antibacterial effectiveness. When you feel flu or cold-like symptoms coming on, oil of oregano should be an easy and reliable “go-to” remedy. Mix a few drops of oregano essential oil into with warm water and gargle several times a day for relief from symptoms.
Clove Oil
This underdog oil should be a no-brainer and should be added to your herb oil arsenal. Clove essential oil is jam-packed with antimicrobial, antifungal, and antibacterial properties. Simply chewing on a whole, raw clove will immediately give relief to any sore throat. Clove oil is special in being an antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, and an antiviral agent as well.
When added to tea, bath, or diffuser, this oil offers relief from cough and congestion. This spice has no limits on its effectiveness and should be included in any essential oil blend or home remedy.
Risks When Using Essential Oils
Always check with your health professional before using a rigorous regime with essential oils as the can be very potent. Certain health ailments and medications should be used with caution when mixed with essential oils. Each oil must be fully researched prior to usage, especially if you intend to blend oils.
Essential oils are normally not recommended for pregnant or breastfeeding women. Remember to carry out a test patch on the inner elbow if you have sensitive skin to make sure you’re not allergic.
Natural Remedies for Cold, Flu Symptoms:
Beta Glucan – Natural immune system booster to strengthen immune system health and protect the body against viral and bacterial infections
Mucus-Clear – Homeopathic remedy reduces phlegm and thick mucus plus relieves throat congestion
InstaClear Sinus Relief – Herbal remedy instantly clears sinus congestion
SinusSoothe – Homeopathic medicine for temporarily relieving sinus pressure and nasal congestion
Immu-Stay – Natural supplement boosts the immune system
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