How To Reduce throat Pain?

Throat pain is the body’s response to a viral or bacterial infection in the throat. Whenever there is a harmful infectious agent attacking the body, it responds with inflammation and swelling of the mucus membranes. Luckily enough, here are some remedies that can help to curb the inflammation and eventually reduce the pain in the throat.

Home Remedies That Can Help to Reduce Throat Pain

• Gargle with saltwater

Known for its anti-bacterial properties, gargling with salt water can cure a bacterial infection in the throat. This is one of the most ancient and easiest home remedies to treat an infection.

• Drink Herbal tea

Herbal tea is another effective remedy that can ease out a sore throat. Drinking herbal tea alleviates pain, reduces inflammation or fights off bacteria. Some of the herbal teas to try are-

• Peppermint tea
• Raspberry tea
• Chamomile tea
• Green tea
• Clove tea  

• Take Apple cider vinegar

Apple cider vinegar offers various therapeutic benefits. Apple cider vinegar is acidic in nature and can kill various microorganisms responsible for infection in the throat. In addition to curing sore throat, it can also help in soothing out cold symptoms developed due to excessive mucus build-up. For instant relief, gargle with some apple cider vinegar.

• Add Garlic Cloves

Known for its antimicrobial properties, garlic can fight off germs that may have caused the infection. This works as it contains a compound known as allicin that helps in keeping off germs. You can take garlic in two ways- adding it in your meal or just chewing them raw.

• Gargle with Baking soda

Baking soda prevents the growth of yeast and fungi in addition to bacteria. For best results, you can gargle with a combination of 1 cup warm water with little baking soda and a pinch of salt.

• Consume Lemon juice

Works as a pain reliever, lemon juice can also break up the mucus. In addition to this, lemons are rich in vitamin C providing the required boost to the immune system to fight off infections. Drink 8 ounces of warm water with one teaspoon of lemon juice mixed.

• Inhale Moist air

Breathe in moist air as the dryness can make a sore throat worse. Dryness of the throat can cause more irritation and discomfort in the throat. Therefore, place a humidifier to breathe in moist air to get some relief.

• Use Licorice root

In addition to curing a sore throat, licorice root can also reduce coughing. Hence, mix licorice root with water and gargle with this decoction.

• Add a few drops of essential oils

Essential oils such as nutmeg, bergamot, and cypress contain an ingredient known as camphene that provides a cooling, refreshing effect on the throat.

• Take marshmallow root

This root contains mucilage which has a gelatine-like feel. This gelatine coats the throat and prevents dryness in the throat once swallowed.

• Herbs such as Sage and Echinacea

These herbs, especially Sage, can alleviate anti-inflammatory properties thereby, reducing throat pain. Echinacea is another herb that can fight off bacteria and reduce inflammation. This is available as a throat spray.

• Coconut oil

This oil can help fight off throat infection and eventually get relief from throat pain. Moreover, this has a soothing effect as it lubricates the mucus membranes.

• Consume Cinnamon

This fragrant spice is rich in antioxidants and rich in antibacterial properties. You can add a pinch of cinnamon powder if you are drinking herbal teas.

Foods To Eat and Avoid To Reduce Throat Pain

When to See a Doctor if Throat pain doesn’t reduce?

Generally, throat pain cures within a day or week. However, if it doesn’t and there are additional symptoms, get a consultation with the doctor immediately-

• Severe, prolonged throat pain that stretches into the ear
• Difficulty swallowing, breathing or even opening the mouth
• Coughing blood or have blood in the saliva
• Running a high fever
• White patches on the back of the throat or a rash
• Enlargement of lymph nodes
• Unable to speak for one or two weeks