A sore throat can make you feel miserable and often comes along with the common cold. Your throat may feel itchy and irritated. Pain is also a common symptom of a sore throat. Swallowing can make the pain worse, and this can interfere with your ability to eat and drink. If you’re anything like me, you likely stop eating and drinking when you experience this because the pain alone is tremendous.

Not all sore throats warrant a trip to the doctor. However, it’s still a good idea to at least consult with your physician. Your physician can provide treatment advice, including some home remedies that can help ease the pain.

Why You Should Use Natural Remedies

Natural remedies have been around for thousands of years and there are many ways to soothe the throat without using pain relievers. Before the rise of pharmaceutical companies, people depended on natural remedies to help ease symptoms associated with sore throats and other health conditions.

Even though you can find an over-the-counter or prescription medication, there are a few reasons why you should consider using a natural remedy.

Natural remedies like those which contain herbs typically come with fewer side effects. Sometimes, the side effects found in medications can be worse than the symptoms they’re working to cure. Nausea, stomach cramps, and diarrhea are common potential side effects. You may also be at risk of developing more serious complications like seizures or heart palpitations. The potential side effects have been the biggest reason I’ve personally explored alternate medicine.

Holistic health remedies are gaining in popularity, even in some parts of the medical community. As more studies are being conducted, medical professionals are beginning to realize the value of relying more on natural remedies and less on pharmaceutical medications. Think about the over subscription of medication in the last 20 years in America. It’s clear that while a prescription may provide fast remedy, it can damage a patient long term mentally or physical. The trade-off must be worth it and we have to have alternatives when we determine it’s not.

Natural remedies are also more accessible. You may even have some like honey in your kitchen cabinet. Other remedies are easy to whip up at home like warm saltwater. Both of these can also be effective at treating sore throat pain.

Whether you grab something off the shelf at the pharmacy or have a prescription, medication costs are usually steep in America. Health insurance can help cover some of the costs, but there’s still a co-pay. If you’re like millions of others, you may not be able to fall back on your insurance plan. This means you’re paying for your medications out of pocket. Natural remedies are not only easier to find, but they’re also more affordable. This means everyone has access to sore throat relief regardless of their budget or if they have health insurance.

How do I Get Rid of a Sore Throat Quickly?

When your throat is sore and scratchy, all you can think about is making it feel better. You don’t want to wait hours for medication to start working, even if it’s a natural remedy. You want something that’s easy to take and fast-acting. By fast-acting, you want it to be instantaneous.

Thankfully, there are a few natural remedies that can help you get rid of a sore throat quickly so you can get on with your life.  

The Best Natural Remedies for Sore Throat

When you’re trying to find the best natural remedies for a sore throat, get ready to receive a lot of helpful advice. Natural remedies can vary by region and personal preference. However, something that almost everyone seems to agree on is a mix of warm and cold liquids is often the best way to soothe a sore throat without falling back on over-the-counter and prescription medications.

Warm and cold liquids can help reduce throat irritation. If your sore throat comes with a cough, this can be an effective remedy. The liquid also helps clear out some of the mucous membranes that can clog your throat. Not only can you reduce some of the pain, but it also helps prevent a sinus infection. Whether you’re sipping on plain, warm, and cold water or the liquid is flavored with lemon, this is one of the best and simplest natural remedies for a sore throat.

Other Remedies to Try

If you’re looking for natural remedies to treat a sore throat other than warm and cold liquids, here are a few more options that are usually effective. Remember, everyone is different, and this includes sore throats. What works great for someone may not be as effective for you.

Honey

A natural sore throat remedy that also tastes great is honey. You can pick up a bottle of honey in any grocery store or, better yet, buy some that’s locally sourced. A spoonful of honey can coat your throat, effectively easing irritation, and it’s hard to beat the sweet taste. With honey, you never have to worry about an unpleasant aftertaste. The sweet flavor can also soothe irritated nerve endings in your throat.

Honey also has an added bonus. Honey has natural antibacterial properties, which can help you fight off infections.

Saltwater Gurgle

Gurgling with salt water isn’t for everyone. Even though you aren’t swallowing the liquid, you’re still getting a strong salty taste. If salt isn’t a preference, you may want to stick with honey.

Saltwater can help reduce throat irritation and break up some of the mucus that may be causing painful coughing.

If you decide to try a saltwater gurgle, you’ll only need two ingredients. Dissolve around 1/2 teaspoon of salt in warm water. Gargle for a few minutes and repeat every three hours or so until your sore throat feels better.

Rest

A natural remedy you don’t want to overlook is rest. Regardless of what other remedies you’re using to treat your sore throat, rest should always be part of your care plan.

A quick tip to help ensure you’re not making your sore throat worse is to elevate your neck. In other words, don’t lay flat on your back since this can place unnecessary pressure on the back of your throat.

With some rest and a simple natural remedy, you should be able to effectively treat your sore throat without having to rely on medications. IF your sore throat persists for more than three or so days, see a doctor. This can be a sign of a more serious health condition.

Conclusion

Remember, embracing natural remedies doesn’t mean that you no longer embrace your traditional physician. If you are experiencing sore throat symptoms for more than three days, go see your doctor. They’re able to diagnose you and determine if you have a more serious infection or virus. They may even be able to share more natural remedies safe for your unique situation.