Sore throats are a real pain in the neck! A sore throat usually develops gradually (one to two days) and may be characterized by cough, headache, tingling around the soft palate, runny nose, mild fever, and swollen neck glands. Strep throat is characterized by its sudden onset, pus in the throat, a temperature from 102 to 104°F (39 to 40°C) and swollen glands. There may be red or white spots on the tonsils; however, this only indicates strep about 50 percent of the time. The good news? Sore throats can be an opportunity for self-healing. You’ll find several remedies that bring relief here.
GOOD TO KNOW!
Propolis, a substance produced by bees from tree resins, helps fight infection and can be sucked in lozenges.
NATURAL RELIEF FOR SORE THROATS Frequent gargling rinses away microbes and leaves an antiseptic coating on a sore throat. Use 1 teaspoon (5 ml) salt added to 1 cup (235 ml) of warm water or teas of echinacea, goldenseal, or juniper berry or 2 tablespoons (28 ml) apple cider vinegar in water. Gargle every hour initially, and then spit the mixture out. As you improve, gargle every three hours.
The resin propolis, a powerful infection-fighting agent that bees collect from trees to keep their own hives infection-free, helps to strengthen epithelial tissue that lines the throat, creating healthy mucosal tone and treating inflammation. Take a dropperful or two capsules every three hours that you are awake.
Natural food stores carry herbal sprays that contain antiseptic and anti-inflammatory herbs like propolis, echinacea, and myrrh. Spray on sore areas of the throat five to six times daily. Soothing a sore throat can be aided by licorice root, which soothes irritated mucus membranes and stimulates interferon production. Marshmallow root soothes inflamed mucus membranes including sore throat. Osha root relieves respiratory congestion and improves immunity and also relieves sore throat pain. Note that you should avoid taking osha root during pregnancy as it can stimulate uterine contractions.
To help bring relief and improvement to a sore or strep throat, you can also make a compress. First, brew a strong tea of ginger. Next, soak a face towel in the hot tea, wring, wrap around throat, and cover with a dry towel. When the compress cools, resoak it in the hot tea. Reapply three or four times. You can do the same thing with warmed apple cider vinegar. Compresses bring increased circulation to an area, moving swelling and toxins, which can then be eliminated more quickly. (See ″Preparations 101″ for how to make teas and compresses.)
BEST FOODS FOR SORE THROAT RELIEF When you have a sore throat, it is not unusual to have a decreased desire for food. However, the right food choices can be beneficial. Berries, such as blackberries and mulberries, are cooling to an inflamed throat. Pineapple contains the enzyme bromelain, which helps to digest dead tissue that is permeated with infection. Barley cooked as a grain or added to soup is soothing. Garlic, leeks, and onions are all infection fighters. Leafy greens like kale are alkalinizing and are beneficial for a sore throat. Pureed carrots, sweet potatoes, or winter squash are all rich in beta-carotene and help to strengthen mucous membranes. Light soups and soft foods are ideal.
Thrifty Cures!
Holding a clove of garlic in your mouth is a powerful infection fighter because of its anti-viral and anti-bacterial effects. When tired of holding the garlic in your mouth, slowly chew it up and swallow it. Salt also helps to relieve pain. Warm some coarse kosher salt in a frying pan and then wrap it in a clean long sock, tied at the end. Wrap it around your neck, secure with a towel, and leave in place for an hour. If you are at the beach, gargle with seawater! You can even suck on a black-pitted olive, which is high in astringent tannins that are also antiseptic.
BENEFICIAL BEVERAGES FOR SORE THROAT It is important to double or triple your fluid intake when you have a sore throat. Helpful beverage suggestions include herb teas like licorice and slippery elm. Since it’s important to consume more fluids, take frequent sips of these herbal teas throughout the day.
In addition, you can boil 1/2 ounce (15 ml) hulled barley in 1 quart (950 ml) of water for 30 minutes with the lid on. Strain, reserving the grain for use in a soup. Drink the remaining barley water.
Apple juice with seven whole cloves (which are anesthetic and antimicrobial) blended into it and strained can also help.
You can also mix 2 teaspoons (10 ml) of honey and 2 teaspoons (13 ml) apple cider vinegar in 1 cup (235 ml) of hot water and sip to curb pain and decrease infection.
VITAMINS FOR SORE THROATS
Vitamins to consider using to treat or prevent a sore throat and strep throat include 1,000 to 3,000 mg vitamin C taken with 500 mg bioflavonoids, which are astringent, tonifying, and infection fighting. (Discontinue if it burns or irritates your mouth.) Vitamin A and/or beta-carotene (10,000 IU once daily) help strengthen the mucous membranes, thereby decreasing susceptibility to infection.
Zinc lozenges inhibit viral replication. They usually contain about 15 mg of zinc per lozenge and up to five can be taken daily for up to a week.
ESSENTIAL OILS THAT SOOTHE SORE THROATS
Essential oils that soothe sore throats include eucalyptus, geranium, lavender, lemon, bitter orange, pine, Clary sage, and tea tree. Add 3 to 6 drops of essential oil to 1 cup (235 ml) of water and use as a gargle or put in an atomizer and spray directly on your throat. You can also add these oils to a vaporizer or aromatherapy diffuser to infuse the air with their antiseptic properties.
GOOD TO KNOW!
The throat is the center of expression and communication. The tendency for people to swallow anger and suppress tears and feelings of fear of rejection may all be contributing factors in sore throats. If you experience this disorder frequently, look at what you can do to bring about better communication in your life.
WHEN TO SEE YOUR M.D.
Strep throat is potentially serious and therefore must be treated with care, either holistically or allopathically. Consult a medical doctor if your throat is sore for longer than 3 days or is extremely red (look with a flashlight), if white spots appear on your throat, if there is blood in your phlegm, if you have a rash or difficulty swallowing, breathing, or opening your mouth, or if you have a fever over 102°F (39°C). When in doubt or if natural remedies do not bring about improvement within 48 hours, contact a competent health-care professional.
ACUPRESSURE FOR SORE THROATS
Acupressure points to stimulate for 30 seconds each several times daily include Lung 1, Large Intestine 4, and Stomach 9. Consult acupuncture books that demonstrate the points, or consult a trained professional.
SOOTHING PRACTICES FOR SORE THROATS
Go outdoors if it is a sunny day and direct some solar rays directly into the throat at the site of pain. Spend three to five minutes getting sunlight right in your throat. Sunlight is one of nature’s great antiseptic agents. You can feel the warmth and healing right away! Also focus on breathing more deeply and slowly while you take in the benefits of fresh air.
GOOD TO KNOW!
You can also gargle with 1 tablespoon (15 ml) apple cider vinegar blended with two cloves of garlic and a pinch of salt. Both are soothing and anti-inflammatory.
Try This!
Certain exercise techniques help relieve strep throats by bringing increased blood flow to the is done by sticking out your tongue as far as possible, holding for 30 seconds, and then repeating five times. This may be done several times a day. Other helpful postures include the Plow, Windows of the Sky, Shoulder Stand (for the adept only), and Neck Lock. Consult a book on yoga or take a class from a trained professional to perform these poses.
This Strep Throat Treatment article is taken from :
The Country Almanac of Home Remedies - Brigitte Mars
