Natural sore throat remedies

I haven’t been out in the garden much this week. I went out once or twice to get the coal in and empty the compost bucket from under the sink, but that’s about it. Even the polytunnel seemed too far away and it’s only 20 steps away from the back door.

The reason is that the whole household (including the dog) came down with a bad cold. I’m sure you don’t want all of the gory details as you’ve probably heard them already from friends and family, but this year it was bad.

It was reassuring for me, in a very selfish sort of way to see that a lot of other people were down with it as it made me feel less alone. One of the most uncomfortable symptoms, other than the shivering temperature and throbbing head, was the sore throat.  As I was ill, I couldn’t really be bothered to make any concoctions up, even putting a teaspoon of honey into a cup was an effort I could do without.

There is a recipe for honey and lemons to be made up into a gel then stored in the fridge until needed, but I’m an optimist and wouldn’t pre prepare for anything like that as I think I never get colds. Sucking on a blackcurrant lozenge was as far as my throat easing went.  Of course, now that I am feeling a bit better I think it’s about time I delved into the natural world of pain relief and look for things that we can either grow ourselves or buy locally. This time I’ll be better prepared for the next time, if you know what I mean.

Natural Sore Throat Remedies

Liquorice Root Tea could be a start and this can be got from a health shop. We’re looking at homemade remedies. Some simple ones could be:

• Gargle With Warm Salt Water
• Suck Cloves
• Drink Apple Cider Vinegar
• Suck on Garlic

Marshmallow plant.

For the more ambitious there is the Marshmallow, or Marshmallow Root. It has been used with a fair amount of success for several centuries in North America and Europe as it contains mucilage, which helps coat and soothe mucus membranes in the throat. I grew some a few years ago but didn’t get a chance to check out if it worked. Note that if you have diabetes, you should consult your doctor before using Marshmallow Root, as it may lower your blood sugar.

Cayenne Pepper.

Drinking warm water with cayenne can actually make you feel better. Eating or drinking something involving hot peppers in any way, shape, or form down your already searing throat seems counterintuitive to helping it, but there’s a method to the madness. Cayenne (and other hot peppers) have a chemical compound called capsaicin that temporarily relieves pain, much like aspirin does. It accomplishes this by hindering something called substance P, which is what transmits pain signals to your brain. You can grow chillies on a windowsill and dry them for the winter.

Honeysuckle

Blessed with a name so tasty you just want to cram it into your mouth, Honeysuckle is one of those plants. It is extremely effective in easing coughs, sore throats, and flu symptoms. Thanks to its bacterial fighting properties, it can help ward off the nasty bugs in your system, and keep them from coming back. On top of that, it flushes toxins out of your bloodstream, and works as an anti-inflammatory to help reduce the swelling tissue in your throats. To enjoy its benefits, just brew yourself a fresh cup of piping hot tea.

Other simple drinks could be:

• Chamomile tea, very easy to grow
• Ginger
• Gargle with Sage
• Soaking cinnamon sticks

Mix and Match

The basics for experimenting with are:

1. Salt: It draws the water out of your swollen mucus membranes, reducing swelling and pain.

2. Honey: Comforting and soothing honey helps coat the throat when it is dry, scratchy and painful. It also kills bacteria. It should not be given to children under 2 years of age.

3. Lemon: Cuts through unwanted mucus, kills bacteria, and can help dull the pain in sore spots. Often used with honey.

4. Apple Cider Vinegar: It’s a major germ-buster, and while it may seem counter-intuitive, ACV can really help relieve your sore throat.

5. And one I haven’t mentioned - Baking Soda: Due to its PH levels it can help soothe minor skin irritations, and also helps rid your body of bad bacteria that could be lurking about and making things worse.

There’s no miracle cure but I have found that I get to feel a whole lot better if everyone know that I am under the weather and I have at least one person running around after me all day.