Experiencing the symptoms of a sore throat is uncomfortable for people of all ages, mainly in summer when it’s accompanied with a runny nose. The itching, scratching and burning sensations aren’t pleasant at all and finding relief is essential in order to help you function. Although there are situations when antibiotics should be taken, there are some home remedies have proven to be quite beneficial.
Warm Tea & Honey
Warm tea sweetened with honey is one of the first steps people take for treating an irritated throat. According to doctors, green tea and sage should be the first choices for tea as they have antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Along with honey, these teas have proven to be great in relieving the pain which is why a cup or two is the minimum recommended dosage per day. Since hydration is essential when sick, teas can also aid you with that.
Gargle with Salt Water
This old but gold recipe has proven to be really beneficial since ancient times. Sometimes combined with apple cider vinegar, gargling such water can help soothe a scratchy and achy throat by pulling the mucus out of your swollen throat. The recommended dosage is 250ml of warm water with a ½ teaspoon of salt and a ½ teaspoon of apple cider vinegar. Stir until dissolved and repeat the gargling procedure several times per day.
Cough Lozenges
According to doctors, sucking on cough lozenges can seriously reduce the pain and itchiness in the throat. This is because almost all cough lozenges Australia pharmacies offer contain menthol which is an ingredient that can numb the tissue in the throat. This can provide a temporary relief which is why the recommended dosage per day is minimum 3 lozenges. Other important ingredients to look in cough lozenges Australia doctors say is honey, eucalyptus and sage as they can also help in soothing an irritated throat which can significantly reduce coughing. Keep in mind that cough lozenges can be different for adults and children as not all ingredients present in some lozenges are suitable for smaller children. So, when buying lozenges for children, make sure it’s specified they’re designed for children.
Tip: When dealing with coughing and sore throat in a kid, make sure she/he can suck lozenges in order to avoid choking. If not sure, you can opt to buy or make your own cough lollipops. They are a great way of keeping the throat lubricated for a long period of time, and on the other hand, kids would love the idea of having a treat – lollipop when sick (wink).
Echinacea and Sage Spray
Just like drinking tea, it has been proven that herbal sprays can also help soothe a sore throat and reduce coughing. These sprays are a real life saviour when drinking tea is not an option.