Sore throat, also known as pharyngitis, is a condition in which the pharynx or the back of the throat is inflamed. There are many reasons for this inflammation, the most common of these being viral infections like cold and flu. A sore throat is often accompanied by irritation and pain in the throat, chills and fever, swollen tonsils, and difficulty in swallowing. The problem of a sore throat is aggravated by smoking, pollution, consuming alcohol, and allergies. Muscle strain caused by shouting also worsens the condition. When suffering from a sore throat, one must avoid oily and fried food as much as possible. It’s also advisable to increase liquid intake and consume green leafy vegetables to ensure that the immune system is strong. The sufferer should avoid having a head bath and foods with cold propensity, like grapes, cucumbers, watermelon, papaya, curd, and banana. A sore throat can be prevented by eating healthy, getting proper rest, avoiding stress, and exercising regularly. All these help in strengthening the immune system, thus keeping sore throat at bay.

Home Remedies for Sore Throat

Usually a sore throats resolves naturally within a few days. However, there are home remedies that can be used to bring quicker relief. However, if the sore throat isn’t cured in a few days, the patient should consult a doctor, as it may be a more serious illness like diphtheria or measles.

• To bring quick relief from sore throat, one can mix half a cup of warm water and ¼ teaspoon salt and gargle with this solution several times a day.
• Increasing the consumption of Vitamin C gives immediate relief from sore throat too.
• Lemon is an important product in curing this condition. An effective remedy is taking half a lemon and pressing some salt and black pepper into it with the help of a knife. After the salt and pepper have penetrated well, heat the lemon till it becomes warm. Now, lick the juice of the lemon till it’s completely dry. Doing this about thrice a day will give relief.
• Throat pain can be relived immediately by drinking a glass of warm water with lemon juice and honey.
• Garlic is also an antiseptic product that combats viruses and bacteria effectively. The sufferer can eat cloves of garlic or add it to food as a garnish.
• Chamomile tea is very beneficial in curing a sore throat. Drinking the warm tea every few hours a day will bring relief. Alternatively, you can boil tea leaves in water, sieve it and either drink it or gargle with it.