A sore throat is usually not cause for concern, and the discomfort typically improves within a week.

Drazen Zigic/ Getty Images

1.

Gargle With Salt Water

Gargling with salt waterhelps clear away mucus and reduce inflammation while lubricating your throat.

A woman adding honey to a cup of hot tea

Drazen Zigic/ Getty Images

Gargle With a Baking SodaSaltwater Mixture

Baking sodacan also help ease a sore throat.

Mix one-fourth teaspoon of baking soda and one-eighth teaspoon of salt with a cup of warm water.

After gargling, rinse your mouth out with plain water.

Josephine Hessert, DO

you’ve got the option to do this three or four times a day.

Drink Lots of Liquids

When ithurts to swallow, you may be tempted to avoid drinking.

But that can lead to dehydration and throat pain in the long run.

That’s why it’s important tokeep drinking waterand other fluids throughout the day.

Drink Tea

Many people find that a cup of hot tea soothes the throat.

Tea can also thin out mucus in the sinuses to help clear stuffy nasal passages.Many teas also haveanti-inflammatory properties.

Honey also has anti-inflammatory properties and may helpalleviate throat painand calm a mild cough.

Cold foods that might help include:

8.

Ensure it’s not hot enough to burn your skin, then hold it gently on your swollen glands.

Be sure to follow usage and cleaning instructions carefully.

Not cleaning your humidifier properly can lead to bacteria growth in the equipment.

Steam inhalationis another common home remedy for adults, but use extreme caution when inhaling steam.

Sit and breathe in the moist air several times a day.

Use Peppermint

Peppermint can effectively soothe a sore throat, thin mucus, loosen phlegm, and calm coughs.

Get Plenty of Rest

Getting plenty of rest is always a good idea when under the weather.

Your body needs quality sleep to recover.

Try Cayenne Pepper

Eating spicy pepper seems counterintuitive when your throat is sore.

Do not use it if it irritates your throat.

Additionally, teas, honey, lozenges, and salt water soothe and lubricate the throat.

Summary

Sore throats are common.

They can occur due to allergies and irritants like smoke or a viral or bacterial infection.

A sore throat usually starts to feel better within a week and doesn’t require medical treatment.

Natural remedies such as honey, tea, and gargling with salt water can help ease symptoms.

It’s also important to stay hydrated and get plenty of rest.

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