Throat infection is a common problem during winter. This infection is usually accompanied by a cold and/or cough. Most of the times, a throat infection or a sore throat is caused by bacterial infection. This infection makes swallowing solid food and liquids difficult. Primary symptoms include a dry throat, throat pain and hoarseness, among a few others. However, there is no need to panic or rush to a doctor as soon as you have a throat infection. There are some home remedies that you can adopt to give you relief from this problem. Although these remedies may take a slightly longer time to start showing results than over the counter medications, you can be assured that they will do you no harm and have no side effects. The following are some measures that you can take at home when you have a throat infection.
Honey
Honey is a wonderful solution for many ailments including your sore throat. You can have honey either as a sweetener mixed in your tea or on your own. Take a teaspoon of honey as often as you can. The more you take, the faster you are sure to find a remedy for your throat infection.
Salt water gargling
This method has been in use for quite a long time across many generations. All you need to do is to add a half teaspoon of salt in a full glass of water and mix well till the salt is completely dissolved. Gargle with this solution every three hours. The warm water kills the bacteria causing the infection, lessens any swelling that might be present and also cleans the throat. A lesser known variation of this remedy is to replace salt with baking soda.
[amazon_link asins=’B01NBCDRIH,9351523314′ template=’ProductCarousel’ store=’indianshopp07-21′ marketplace=’IN’ link_id=’32aef44e-64a4-11e7-9670-cf708401f49a’]
Fenugreek
Having fenugreek tea is a natural solution for throat infection. If you do not like flavored tea, you can also consume fenugreek seeds. However, as a word of caution, pregnant women with sore throats must not opt for this relief measure. This is because fenugreek has been known to induce labor and hasten the delivery in many cases.
Apple cider vinegar
It is a good idea to opt for organic apple cider vinegar. The vinegar has antimicrobial properties that fight against infection while its acidic nature dissolves the mucus present in the throat and stops the infection from spreading. You can use apple cider vinegar in many ways to get relief from sore throat. One way is to add a couple of teaspoons of apple cider vinegar to a glass of water and gargle with it. Follow this by a sip of the same mixture. Repeat the process once in two hours. Ensure that you drink a lot of water between one gargling session and the next.
Warm liquids
Drink warm caffeine-free liquids as much as you can. This can be just warm water, soup or lime juice mixed with honey, tea or any such liquid.
Frozen foods
Frozen foods can be soothing for a sore throat just as much as warm liquids are. Sucking on a sorbet or popsicle can lessen a sore throat just as much as a cup of warm tea does. However, it is recommended that you do not have dairy products in frozen form because they can increase the mucus content in some people.
Chicken soup
For ages, chicken soup has proved to be a wonderful remedy for throat infection. This decreases the mucus while helping you to remain hydrated at the same time. Its anti-inflammatory properties can lessen the chances of your catching a cold.
Steam inhalation
Opting for steam inhalation is yet another effective measure for a throat infection. Boil some water in a wide mouthed vessel and add some eucalyptus oil to it. Lean forward such that your face comes in contact with the steam. Remember to cover your head and vessel with a towel to prevent the steam from escaping. Inhale for as long as you can tolerate the heat fumes on your face.
[amazon_link asins=’B01NBCDRIH,9351523314′ template=’ProductCarousel’ store=’indianshopp07-21′ marketplace=’IN’ link_id=’32aef44e-64a4-11e7-9670-cf708401f49a’]
