A sore throat can be a royal pain in the uh…throat. Like blinking, we never notice how much we swallow until we start paying attention to it, and when it hurts like nobody’s business, it’s kind of difficult not to pay attention. But before you go getting down about how long you’re going to have to suffer with it, consider taking some action-relief may be close than you think. Below are 22 simple at home sore throat remedies that will help you get started on naturally soothing the ache.
Note: Do not give honey on its own or otherwise to children under the age of 1 year.
1. Gargle With Warm Salt Water
When your Grandmother told you to gargle with salt water, she knew what she was talking about. Gargling with salt water isn’t an old wives tale-it’s about one of the closest to a cures for a sore throat you can get.
When our throats hurt, regardless of what causes it, it’s because the cells in the mucous membranes have become swollen and inflamed. By gargling with salt water you decrease the swelling, as salts primary function is to draw out water, which in turn shrinks the swollen cell and eases the pain. It also helps wash away the excess mucous and allows your stuffy nose (if you have one) to drain properly.
You will need…
-1 cup of warm water (8 oz.)
-½ teaspoon of table salt
Directions
Heat water until it’s warm, but not hot. Thoroughly mix in salt. Gargle. Repeat 3 throughout the day as needed.
Any more than that and you risk drying out healthy soft tissue and making things worse.
2. Make And Enjoy A Hot Toddy (or have someone make it for you.)
Typically a Hot Toddy helps a sore throat -particularly one accompanied by a cold- for 2 reasons. The honey and lemon soothes your throat, while the alcohol helps you sleep. I personally leave the alcohol out of mine as my mother did when she made her version for me growing up. Whether or not you use it is up to you, but keep in mind that steering clear of alcohol when you’re under the weather is usually best.
You will need…
-2 oz. bourbon or whiskey (optional, not recommended)
-1 tablespoon of honey, or more to taste
-4 ounces hot water
-1 teaspoon lemon juice
-1 slice fresh lemon (optional)
Directions
If you’re using it, pour the alcohol into a large mug. Add the honey, and leave the spoon in the mug. Pour the hot water into the mug, making sure it gets the last bit of honey off the spoon. Add the lemon juice and stir well. Place the mug in the microwave and heat until its nice and hot, but not boiling (about 1 minute.) Add the lemon slice, and enjoy.
3. Mix up an ACV drink
Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) is probably right up there with garlic (its unfortunate the things that make us better can’t taste delicious) but some people swear by it. Its high levels of acidity can kill bacteria quite efficiently, and when mixed with honey it can soothe the soreness in your throat as well.
You will need…
-1 tablespoon of Apple Cider Vinegar
-1 tablespoon of honey
-1 cup of very warm water
Directions
Mix the ACV and honey into very warm water. Drink it while it’s still warm!
OR
If you don’t want to swallow it (and it does have a strong taste) try 2 tablespoons of ACV and mix with ½ cup warm water. Gargle once a day.
4. Suck on Garlic
Yup, it sounds repulsive, and you probably don’t want to go on a dinner date right afterwards, but garlic is a natural remedy that can kick a sore throat right in it’s painfully swollen tush. The reason lies in the garlic’s allicin, a compound that can kill the bacteria that causes strep and fight the germs causing pain and irritation.
You will need…
-1 fresh clove of garlic, sliced in half
Directions
Place 1 piece of garlic in each cheek, and suck on it like a cough drop. Occasionally crush your teeth against it to release the allicin- there’s no need to actually bite it. Try this once daily.
5. Have A Marshmallow
Don’t get too excited-I am referring to the herb called 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.
Note that if you have diabetes, you should consult your doctor before using Marshmallow Root, as it may lower your blood sugar.
You will need…
-1 tablespoon of the dried root
-1 cup of boiling water
Directions
Put one tablespoon of dried root in a mug and pour boiling water over it. Cover and steep for 30-60 minutes before straining and drinking.
6. Steam It Out
Steam can ease a sore throat-particularly one that hurts due to dryness-shorten its duration, and make it easier to breathe if you’re congested. You don’t have to head to your gym’s sauna/steam room to get the treatment either-there are ways to use steam as a remedy without leaving the comfort of your home.
You will need…
-1 medium to large bowl
-Enough hot water to fill your bowl about halfway
-1 bath towel or a towel of similar size
-Eucalyptus oil (optional)
Directions
Boil a pot of water and pour it into your bowl. Lean over the bowl so that you can fully inhale the rising steam-you don’t have to stick your face right up to it. Drape the towel over your head to create a tent for the steam. Add a few drops of eucalyptus oil if you’d like to make it more soothing. If you’re worried about frightening someone who walks in on a mysterious towel-draped creature snuffling and sniffling over a bowl of steaming water, taking a hot shower and letting the bathroom steam up can provide some relief as well.
7. Kick It With Cayenne
Drinking warm water with cayenne can actually make you feel better. This is another one of those really funky sounding home remedies, but again, a lot of people swear by it. Dumping 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 Advil or aspirin does. It accomplishes this by hindering something called substance P, which is what transmits pain signals to your brain. Thus, the discomfort from your sore throat is diluted when coming in contact with the Cayenne-and quickly to boot.
You will need…
-1/2 teaspoon of Cayenne Pepper
-1 cup of boiling water
-1 teaspoon of honey
Directions
Add 1/2 teaspoon Cayenne Pepper to 1 cup of boiling water. Stir in the honey, and wait until the mixture is warm-but not hot-before drinking throughout the day as needed. Make sure to stir it frequently, as the Cayenne tends to settle. If you’re sensitive to spice, reduce the pepper to as little as 1/8 of a teaspoon.
8. Drink Licorice Root Tea
By drinking licorice root tea you can naturally get some relief for your sore throat. The anti-viral and anti-inflammatory properties of licorice root help reduce swelling and irritation, and soothe the mucus membranes in your throat. You can buy tea with licorice in it, or brew up your own. The recipe below has a few extra ingredients to make this at home remedy for sore throats taste extra yummy and comforting.
You will need…
-1 cup chopped dry licorice root
-1/2 cup cinnamon chips
-2 tablespoons whole cloves
-1/2 cup chamomile flowers
Directions
Mix everything in a bowl thoroughly. Store in a glass jar away from light and heat if you wish to save some for later. To prepare the tea, combine 3 heaping tablespoons of the tea mix and 2.5 cups of cold water in a saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium heat, than reduce heat to low, and simmer for 10 minutes. Pour into a large mug through a strainer, sip, and enjoy.
Recipe courtesy of Nourishing Days (www.nourishingdays.com)
9. Get Your Rest & Fluids
It’s an obvious one, but its repeated so often for a reason, so don’t brush it off. Combine it with other natural remedies, and it may boost their effectiveness as well. Make sure you’re letting your body rest, and drink as much fluid as you can!
You will need…
-A comfy place to curl up
-Water, orange juice, more water, herbal tea, and anything else liquid you deem appropriate (alcohol and caffeine should be avoided.)
Directions
Get a good book or order your favorite movie. Get cozy, rest, and drink, drink, drink!
10. Make Baking Soda “Tea”
Baking soda is often times touted as a simple, straightforward, and effective home remedy for sore throats. The reason? Baking soda has antibacterial properties, which could help to kill off the nasties camping out in your throat. It also has a slightly Alkaline PH-this soothes minor skin irritations such as bug bites and rashes, and it will act similarly on the swollen tissues in your throat. Toss in some salt (see #1 for details on salt) and you have a mixture that’s set up for soothing success.
You will need…
-1 cup of very warm water
-1/2 teaspoon salt
-1/2 teaspoon or a little less baking soda
Directions
Heat the water until it is very warm, but not so warm that you can’t drink it. Mix in ½ teaspoon of salt and ½ teaspoon or a little less baking soda, stir, and test the temperature. Pour some of the liquid into your throat, let it sit for a moment, then gargle. Do this twice in a row 3 times daily.
11. Hunker In With Honeysuckle
There’s a reason why there has recently been a resurgence of the use of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for both humans and animals alike-many of the natural remedies really work. TCM has the effects and properties of various plants down to a science, and while medical treatment has changed, those same plants remain working just as well as they did way back when they were discovered. 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 buggers 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.
You will need…
-2 cups of Honeysuckle flowers & leaves (fresh is best)
-1 quart of water
-A way to heat the water
Directions
If you’re lucky enough to live by wild Honeysuckle, pick two cups of the flowers and leaves in equal parts. If you don’t grow it or live by wild plants, get them at a store-it can be hard to come by sometimes, TCM shops are your best option. Once you have your leaves and flowers, simmer them in one quart of boiling water for 10 minutes. Strain, and add honey/lemon if you like.
12. Chomp Those Cloves
Cloves have been used for centuries, particularly in Traditional Chinese Medicine, but they aren’t used nearly as much nowadays. Still, cloves were often used to help ease pain in the mouth (such as toothaches) and throat. At one time dentists even commonly used it as an anesthetic, and some still do today. The reason they can be successful as a pain killer is because of the substance eugenol they contain. Eugenol can be a natural pain killer, and can act as an anti-bacterial as well. Chewing on whole cloves will slowly release that eugenol, and hopefully numb the pain in your throat. Just try to contain your excitement at finally having an excuse to go chow down on cloves, ok?
Note: Do not substitute clove oil for whole cloves, as it may result in stomach upset.
You will need…
-Several whole cloves
-A glass of water (optional, but you should be drinking fluids anyway.)
Directions
Pop a clove or two into your mouth and suck on it until it becomes soft, and then chew as if it were gum. Swallowing them afterwards is not harmful. Use as needed.
13. Get Help From Hydrogen
Oh yes, it was the mortal enemy of any child who fell off their bike a lot, or did anything that resulted in some nasty skinned knees. You’re hurt, you’re upset that you fell, and then your mom carries you kicking and screaming into the bathroom and dumps Hydrogen Peroxide all over your cuts. Not cool mom. Of course she was correct in her actions though-it does kill off of bacteria and clean out cuts to stave off infection. With that in mind, we can broaden its use to helping a sore throat in the form of a gargle.
You will need…
-3 percent Hydrogen Peroxide
-Water
-A drinking cup
Directions
Pour one cap-full of Hydrogen Peroxide into your drinking cup. Warm up some water (don’t make it hot) and dilute the Peroxide with one capful of warm water.
Gargle thoroughly before spitting the liquid back out. If you can’t stand the taste, a little honey won’t hurt.
14. Avoid Irritants
It sounds like stating the obvious to say “avoid irritants,” but many of us are stoic creatures, and we’ll fight whatever ails us and crawl to work, soccer practice, class, or whatever it is to keep life on track. If you truly must go out, make a very conscious effort steer clear of fumes, smog, and smoke-more than usual. Breathing that stuff in will irritate the soft tissues at the back of your throat that already have enough to deal with. While lozenges can help stimulate saliva, avoid those with lots of sugar-same goes for hard candies. Caffeine and alcohol can hinder our body’s ability to fight off infection, and prolong your sore throat, so avoid them if you can. Do your best to rest up, and remember to take care of yourself (or have someone take care of you!)
You will need…
-1 bedside bell
-A serv-I mean-a good friend who will take care of you
Directions
Ring thy bell!
15. Do Pomegranate Power-Ups
The list of all the beneficial stuff contained in pomegranates is off the charts-it has something to help just about anything. Focusing in on sore throats, pomegranates can help fight off infection with anti-oxidants, while they also contain astringents. An astringent is a substance that causes contraction of body tissue, so they will help the swelling in your throat go down, in turn diminishing the pain. You can utilize these properties in a few ways, either by making tea and gargling or drinking it, or gargling/drinking juice. The tea takes a bit more work to make, so I suggest getting the ingredients prepared ahead of time so you don’t have to do much when you’re ill.
You will need…
-1 pomegranate
-3-4 cups of water
OR
-1 (or more) bottles of pomegranate juice-try to find organic/ones with less sugar
Directions
To make tea, peel the pomegranate and collect its rinds. Boil the rinds for 15 minutes or so in 3-4 cups of water (time and water amount can be adjusted to your preferences.) Drink the tea, or gargle for at least 30 seconds. You can get the rinds in advance, and then dry them in an airtight jar away from direct sunlight. That way, you have them on hand for when you get sick. If you don’t want to make the tea, gargling or drinking pomegranate juice at least 3 times a day can help as well.
16. Make Cozy Chamomile Tea
Chamomile is a natural remedy for sore throats. Its components kill off bacteria, while it works as a natural pain-killer. It also has anti-spasmodic properties (aka it helps the muscles relax) which can help you rest. Overall, it’s one soothing wonder herb.
You will need…
-1 bag of chamomile tea
-1 mug
-1 cup of boiling water
Directions
When the water has boiled, pour into your mug and add the tea bag. Cover and let steep for 10 minutes. Add a bit of honey and lemon if you like. Drink as needed.
17. Drink That Ginger
Ginger has a pretty intense-even spicy- flavor, so why would you want to ingest it when your throat is already tender and sore? It just so happens that ginger is packed with properties that will chase away the pain. It works brilliantly as a cold remedy as well, and colds and sore throats often go hand in hand. It’s an expectorant, which means it helps loosen and expel mucus from your respiratory system (including the extra mucus in your throat.) It does this in part because its aroma opens up your sinuses. It also boosts your circulation, increasing oxygen to your cells, flushing out toxins, and speeding up the healing process. To top it off it acts as an anti-inflammatory, and fights off bad bacteria too. To top the top off, you can enjoy all of ginger’s benefits in a warm, soothing, cup of tea.
You will need…
-Fresh ginger root, 2 inches long
-Honey
-A sharp knife or vegetable peeler
-A cutting board
-2-3 cups of water
-Wax paper
Directions
Wash ginger root thoroughly, then peel. Slice into small pieces, place on a cutting board, and cover it with a piece of wax paper. Crush it using a mallet, the flat side of the knife, anything-it’s not a science, a rock from your garden would probably do if it suits your fancy. If you don’t want to bother crushing, you can slice it into very small chunks after peeling. Boil your water over medium heat and then add the ginger. Let it boil for 3-5 minutes, then take a cup and enjoy it piping hot-add some honey or other flavorings if you like. You can strain it before drinking if you don’t want little bits of ginger at the bottom of your cup. Just make sure you enjoy it while it’s nice and warm!
18. Gargle Sage
Sage was used medicinally for a long, long, time well before it entered the culinary scene. Some people say it has something to cure a little bit of everything, but we’re just focusing on how to use it as an effective natural remedy for your sore throat. Sage is an astringent, meaning it causes body tissues to contract, which means that it can help with swelling. Since the tissues at the back of your throat get swollen when you’re ill, you can see why sage could be of use. The phenolic acids in sage are also known to fight and kill off the bad bacteria that could be the culprit or a contributor to your symptoms. In this case, a good way to use the sage is in the form of a gargle.
You will need…
-1 cup of boiling water
-2 teaspoons sage leaves (dried or fresh)
-1/4 ounce salt
Directions
Boil your water, and then pour it over the sage in a mug. Cover and steep for 20 minutes. Strain, add salt, and gargle as needed.
19. Avoid Milk, Or Drink It
Warm milk might seem like the perfect thing to ease your throat. It’s soothing, non-irritating, and relaxing-plus, it’s getting fluid into your body. While not true for all sore throats, if your pain comes along with congestion, it may be best to steer clear of milk. The reason is because milk coats the throat, which already has excess mucus thanks to your illness. It may also increase mucus production which, like coating the throat, would not help at all. On the other hand, if you have a very dry or raw sore throat, some milk and honey may be just the thing to help soothe it.
20. Keep Food And Drink Temperatures Moderate
A huge glass of ice water might sound fabulous, but in reality, the temperature can sometimes make the throat ache more. Same thing goes for hot-while teas and soups are often called for “hot,” err more on the side of “warm.” Liquid that is too hot will just burn and cause more pain. By letting things come to room temperature or keeping them cool rather than cold, or warm rather than hot, you can avoid aggravating your throat further (sadly, this means popsicles and ice cream may be best avoided.)
21. Spice Things Up
Truly spicy foods should be avoided when your throat hurts, but one “spicy” home remedy that helps relieve some of the pain of a sore throat (one that is the result of a cold) is cinnamon. It’s extremely high in anti-oxidants, and its aroma often times helps to open up the sinuses, which lessens the production of mucus and helps you breathe a little easier. There are some pretty straightforward remedies using cinnamon out there, including ones that involve mixing cinnamon powder straight into water. To get the best of both taste and health benefits, using “cinnamon water” is a great way to go about achieving a yummy drink that will also help you feel better.
You will need…
-1-2 cinnamon sticks
-1-1/2 cups of boiling water
-The tea of your choice
Directions
Bring water to a boil and add the cinnamon. Boil for about 2-3 minutes, and then remove the cinnamon. Steep your choice of herbal or green tea in the cinnamon water, drink, and enjoy.
*Chamomile tea steeped in cinnamon water with honey to taste would be a fabulous combo to beat off the sickness.*
22. Mix & Match
There is obviously a theme to the kinds of ingredients used in the home remedies for sore throats. If what they are, and know what’s causing the sore throat, you can try different combinations to see what works for you. There’s a surprising amount of variation, even on things as simple as salt water gargles! Some examples- some people will suggest simply lemon juice and honey, while some say honey and warm water, or others say combine all three and then add a pinch of cayenne.
If none of the remedies above seem to do it for you, below are 5 ingredients that we found to be the most prevalent in helping a sore throat, be it on their own, combined, or in another form.
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. 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.
Knowing what causes the sore throat can allow you to know how to treat it. Below are a few of the biggest culprits.
• Swelling: The swelling of the tissues in your throat cause pain-look for something that works as an anti-inflammatory or astringent.
• Dryness: Find something that will coat your throat, but NOT create more mucus.
• Bacteria: Sore throats can be cause by bacteria. Find something that naturally kills off the germs.
The next time you feel your throat starting to get painful, use any of the above as soon as possible. In the middle of the worst sore throat you’ve ever had, drinking tea probably won’t feel like much in comparison to the effect of over-the counter pain medication, but home remedies can stop it before it has much chance to get worse.
While there is no miracle cure, natural home remedies have also been shown to shorten the duration of cold and flu symptoms (ahem, sore throat) and lessen the severity of the symptoms throughout the time you’re ill. When taking a more natural route for treatment, you’re body feels better than when you’re taking OTC drugs (even if you don’t feel it right away) and a healthy body means a healthy recovery.
You may also like our list of 22 Acne Remedies
P.S. Make sure to take a look at the Everyday Roots Book with 350+ pages of the best home remedies, natural beauty recipes, homemade cleaners and diy household products. View Remedies

By Claire Goodall
Claire is a lover of life, the natural world, and wild blueberries. On the weekend you can find her fiddling in the garden, playing with her dogs, and enjoying the great outdoors with her horse. Claire is very open-minded, ask her anything 🙂 Meet ClaireWe Want to Hear from You! Let us know which remedies work and do not work for you, ask a question or leave a comment:
This is a really great list! I did not know about a lot of these. I have been using the simple salt water gargle for years and it works like a charm every time! It is also great for canker sores. Drys them right up. I also really want to try the baking soda tea. Has anyone had good results with it? Hopefully it doesn’t taste too bad.
Would not use the acv drink on my worst enemy made me gag and almost throw up but ik hoping it works for all the struggle
A great “tea” I have made with the apple cider vinegar that isn’t too repulsive (drink it fast and it definitely helps, lol!):
1 c warm water
1 tsp honey
1 tsp acv
1 tsp cinnamon
1Tbs fresh lemon juice (I will sometimes leave this out because it almost makes the drink taste worse…..so instead I’ll add the lemon to my reg drinking water seperate from the “tea”.)
Just tried this… Dear heavens, I hope it works… My throat feels like it’s on fire, and I am willing to try anything to make it stop… Even ACV… I ended up boiling water with cinnamon and cloves in it before I added the above ingredients… I then let it cool down to warm, held my nose, and drank it… Not as bad as you might think, but definitely not what you would want to drink on a regular basis… Currently my throat isn’t burning, but it hasn’t fully quit hurting either…
Im in so much pain but reading all the cool remedies makes me feel like I have hope lol! I just made my boyfriend hit the grocery store thank u soo much!
I found a receipe for sore throat that my family has used for the past 10years. You will need: 1c. Water, 1/2 c. Apple cider vinegar, 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper, 1 tablespoon of salt, honey to taste (I use1/4 cup),and 3 to 5 ginger crystals (you can find these at an Asian food market). Bring to boil vinegar, water, salt, & pepper then let simmer for 1 to 2 minutes. Strain water mixture, then add honey and ginger crystals. Let cool a little. Gargle with 1 to 2 tablespoons before swallowing or spitting out. We swallow. Do again as needed. Hope this works for you.
ACV must have the mother in it to be effective. Braggs is a good brand. ACV can be mixed with honey as a syrup, very soothing for the throat. Is mixing ACV with baking soda or lemon mix them together and wait till the fizzing stops before adding other ingredients. Then use.
i actually think milk works great for sore throats no matter whats causing it., i’ve heard that it makes you make more mucus but haven’t experienced that ever.
I use to avoid milk when I had a cold, but now I like to drink it especially if I have a runny nose. I notice that the milk does create more mucus, but it is thicker mucus so it prevents it from running down my face like a faucet, lol! I haven’t tried it (or payed attention to it) with a sore throat, but I’ll have to give it a try next time.
Well basically anything works that’s hot so make it hot
How about a section on sleep aids and help with insomnia?
My wife Rosita finds that Red Clover Tincture helps with sleep.
Equal parts of honey and apple cider vinegar added to warm water will not only cure a sore throat it has antibacterial properties and gives your body the same nutrients as a multivitamin in natural form. I think I like this site. An orange slice with adition to the peel will also work. Garlic works well if you bite i it will burn the first time I tried garlic I was surprised it was hot like pepper. Cured my throat. I would caution anyone using baking soda to use caution a little is good too much can change Ph of blood which can be very bad in some cases.
Thanks for all the tips!! Nice to know, when needed. Like this site.
Using a microwave is not a good idea because it alters molecular structure of food molecules, An interesting experiment is to take two healthy plant.s of same variety Microwave some water and bring to room temperature. Water one plan with tap water. Water the other with the See how long it takes the one that was watered with microwaved water to die.
I no longer use a microwave to cook or heat food on a regular basis because of this response the plans have to microwaved water.
Actually, this myth was not only busted, but the opposite was proven. MythBusters did an experiment identical to the one you suggested, and the microwave-watered plants not only survived, they thrived and outgrew the other plants.
Reading this brought such a smile to my face in this time of throat agony. Well done!
You can’t just alter the molecular structure of water that easily. Water, or H2O is an oxygen connected to two hydrogens. This is hydrogen bonding (one of strongest possible), meaning it takes a MASSIVE amount of energy to rearrange the system.
What microwaves do is that they make the molecules of water vibrate. This vibration is what we call “heat”. The molecules have more energy, and the measured temperature rises. If it was breaking hydrogen bonds, you’d know it, because your microwave would blow up.
Just saying.
What a great roundup of remedies! Thank you for putting this together. I’m pinning it now so I have it handy for the next time someone in the house has a sore throat. 🙂
Good advice. I just spent the last 10 days dealing with sore throat and other flu symptoms. Here’s what I’ve learned that works well:
Apple Cider Vinegar-essential
Garlic-could feel the bacteria getting eaten away
Grapefruit Seed Extract-wish I found this sooner! Great for cleaning and orally good for antiseptic and more.
Tea-tree oil for cleaning the house and disinfeecting things…I had a mold problem in the house and this helps greatly.
Also gotta love hydrogen peroxide and warm gargles!
Great post…thanks for sharing!
Excellent list! I’ve seen lots of these, but I love how you gathered them in one place. I’ve tried many of them, peroxide being my fave! Great info!
I want to try the peroxide, but I’m afraid it will taste gross (I know its just a gargle, but it’s still right on the taste buds). Does it taste gross? thanks
Cayenne peppper and honey did the trick for me. I suffered for over 2 weeks with tonsillitis. Throat spray is so nasty and out of desperation, I tried it. Burns just for a minute or two, but WOW!!! what a relief!!! Added lemon juice. Was a life saver. Much better now, Thank you for sharing.
How much cayenne pepper, honey, and lemon juice did you use ma’am? I’m 3months pregnant with a horrible sore throat & stuffy nose & I keep vomiting due to nauseous which isn’t making my throat feel any better. Please Help! Your remedie sounds great just need to know the amount to use
all the home remedies look great … a must try for the flu season.. 🙂
This is a great site. I’ve had a really bad sore throat, swollen glands and fever for almost a week now. Strep test came back negative so the dr is thinking maybe mono? I’m almost 33, really?!? Frustrating. I have magic mouthwash and it doesn’t do anything and is disgusting. Is there anything on here that will actually work and isn’t too disgusting?? Scared to try…. I can’t even swallow my saliva sometimes. It’s killing ;(
Chamomile tea is great and I can feel it working! I used twinings nightly calm chamomile and mint love it!
i dont like honey so i did this,
i combined 3 juiced lemons, 1 crushed garlic glove and half a teaspoon if salt.
im drinking it right now !!!!!!!!
luckily for me i love sour stuff, i really recommend it i can feel the change
Number 3 is also great for gout.
Just though I would throw that in there.
I really did not know about many of these remedies! XD I have been using the salt water gargle remedy which I dont always find reliable.. I’m rather squeamish about ginger and vinegar and anything that tastes funny.. 🙁 My grandmother says Sorrel tea also helps but 😛 you know me! Eucalyptus oil can also be put on the tonsils and uvula because i find that it is the most reliable of everything I’ve ever heard. 😀
Hey guys,i have this big problem please help! I always spit this mucus from my mouth i think its coming from my throat does this list use for that? PLEASE HELP ME!
I have a really sore throat and I feel like I’m coming down with a virus or cold. My mom is making me a smoothie. Many people think that only hot drinks sooth a sore throat! I’ve found that cold drinks wot too! My mom is including: almond butter, almond milk, flax seed (healthy), frozen blueberries, banana, and spinich. Many kids don’t prefer spinich. However, you can’t taste the spinich. Also, the flax seed is tasteless! Give it a try!
Gargle and spit out a jigger of methiolate and smear vicks on throat glands , Sore throat will be gone
please help me and give me the solution for tonsilitits
my son had a tonsil problem i dont want a surgery his age is just 3 what to do please give me the solution
Your doctor knows best. Tonsillitis can often be treated with antibiotics, but sometimes surgery is necessary. Home remedies will often work as a substitute to antibiotic remedies, but they will NOT help with tonsillitis requiring surgery.
Love the fact that this article explains not only what works, but WHY it works. Thanks mucho for those explanations, had read about several of these natural remedies before, and have tried them too. Much better results than anything over the counter, particularly apple cider vinegar. I think the only one I have not tried yet is the baking soda, wondering how to take that, like mix it with what? I had never seen such clear explanations about why it is that these remedies work, very helpful to know. This one is a keeper. Thanks.
you forgot to mention mollasses tea. 1 tsp per cup very warm water. sip or drink it down. soothes the throat and helps to also give one a bit more energy.
I made a yarrow ( Achillea millefolium) tincture, that i spray in my mouth when I have a sore throat. Just 3 puffs 2-3times a day seems to do me just fine.
Yarrow because it’s got so many good properties and it grows abundantly here. Tincture is made with dried herb (leaves and flowers) on vodka. Just fill your jar, stuff it well, pour vodka over it. Leave in the sun for a good month (shake regularly, make sure that all the parts are covered with the alcohol) … when the herbs look drained, strain the liquid (cheesecloth, or sth like that), keep your tincture in dark glass bottles or jars, and store dark and cool.
I drink a pure ACV drink for sore throat. You mentioned garlic, but I better avoid this for stink smell.
more cheaper and helpful remedies…i’ve tried some of these…it really works…I remember our mother….making us drink the so called”SALABAT” which means boil ginger with 1 tsp. brown sugar, when we have sore throats n coughs…
was scrolling thru kinda quickly, and though Gargle Sage said Garage Sale, boy was I excited.
I thought the same thing! Glad I’m not the only one.
I just so happen to have Honeysuckle growing a couple yards from my house, I went outside and did as told. After it was finished I added a tablespoon of honey and everybody in the house enjoyed it immensely; the pain form my sore throat (mucus) was relieved more and more after every sip. Thank you!
If you don’t have complicated ingredients or you just don’t have the time to make ginger root tea or chamomile or whatever, just try a few spoonfuls of honey. It gives instant relief, and feels like a coat of sweet protection in your throat. I’m having some right now.
I started getting the common cold symptoms. This morning I had no voice. I had really bad laryngitis, I found an article on 22 natural ways of alleviating the sore throat symptoms. So, I made a tea of fresh sage leaves, fresh mint leaves, fresh ginger, freshly ground peppercorns. I started sipping on the tea, which by the way, was very delicious, and not even five minutes passed when I was finally able to hear my voice again. I absolutely had to share this.
I did #10 minus the tea and added the cinnamon and it really seemed to give me some comfort.
Thank you so much for this information it just kinda fell into my lap. I’ve been sick for about 2 weeks with a nasty sore throat and no voice. Here it is 2 am and I finally got some ideas on how to make my sore throat bearable without leaving the house and not spending any money. Had a lot of these things in my home. Thank you again.
The hot milk and the Chamomile Tea worked like a charm on me! Now I feel so much better!
Great list! I don’t have ACV, but I did have kombucha, which was nice and fizzy for breaking up the mucus.
How often do you drink apple cider vinegar and honey water tea. I found that it really helped my throat
Hydrogen peroxide is abrasive to the tissues that are already swollen in the mouth, according to my ear nose and throat doctor. If someone is suffering with engulfed tonsils they should not try hydrogen peroxide.
My ear nose and throat doctor actually told me to rinse with a salt/hydrogen peroxide for my throat. Who to believe?
Just did the ACV, honey, and warm water about an hour ago. I was very pleasantly surprised, although the taste was a little salad dressing-ish the relief was pretty immediate and seems to be lasting.
It really didn’t help a lot but I will try another method to if that works.
Could you list the Latin name of the honeysuckle you are recommending? If using a Traditional Chinese Medicine, it could be from China, or are you talking about a local Wild Honeysuckle? There are many varieties, and a wildflower called honeysuckle that grows here in Minnesota is actually not honeysuckle, while the ‘real’ honeysuckle in my area are tall bushes, several different ones, and I’ve been told that the fruit is poisonous. It wouldn’t be a good thing for someone to go pick a poisonous honeysuckle and use it.
Gargling with Aloe Vera Juice works well I have found, but it needs to be done at least 2-3 times per day until the soreness dissipates.
For the first few times, best to spit the juice out, helping to clear the mucous that has been forming there. Then, when you can feel the soreness lessen, you can drink the Aloe Vera juice and it helps to internally flush the system.
Be sure to get the Aloe Vera juice WITHOUT sweeteners.
Trader Joe’s sells a gallon of organic AVJ for $8.00.
Hope this helps.
thanks for these great ideas, sucking on garlic and drinking crushed ginger in warm tea helped.
Ohh, I am dying of sore throat! You can’t believe how painful and disgusting it is, My god!
Hi, can I believe these tips? i am gonna try NOW.
I don’t know if they work…let’s see.
Say me Best of Luck 🙂
I love this website, you structured everything beautifully. The remedies really work and i thank you for sharing.. have a good day!
Hey well today ive been losing my voice but.i used hot water in a bowl and ir totally did tbe job
It works very well trust me
NEVER GARGLE WITH 3 PERCENT HYDROGEN PEROXIDE. H202 is NOT INTENDED FOR USE WITH WOUNDS. Most recent studies agree that it does more damage to tissues than good and it does NOT kill off bacteria efficiently. Also, when using hydrogen peroxide near the mouth you’re supposed to cut it 50% to make it 1.5% instead of the typical 3% because there are fewer layers of skin around your lips and in your mouth. Do not trust lists that aren’t accompanied by credentials.
This is going to sound Whackadoodle (that’s just the Kentuckian in me…), but pickle juice – straight out of a jar of pickles in your fridge – helps a sore throat. I always gargle with warm salt water, then follow it up with a little pickle juice.
It works!
Drink lemonade
Or fill a mug of luke warm water and 3 table spoons of honey stir it around and drink with a straw!!!
Still works with cold water
When you brush your teeth, gargle the Listerine as well as swooshing it around. 🙂
My throat hurts i cant swallow i cant sleep i tryed going in and telling my parents and they just said try to go to sleep
The saltand warm water elreally did help my sore throat
I did just drink milk and I feel a lot better. I know milk isn’t a option but it worked.
Milk actually is an option 🙂 it’s #19
I tried the ginger, lemon, cayenne pepper with honey, I garbled with peroxide, garbled with warm salt water but what really took away the pain was the garlic cut in half. I couldn’t believe the relief I had. Still hurts but feels better. Thank you for the remedies.
Suffering from what I believe is either flu or strep. Have a doctors appt tomorrow but in the mean while have done the peroxide and salt gargles. Seemed to help a bit, however I just concocted a hybrid tea from the tips above. 1 Tablespoon ACV, 1 Teaspoon cayenne, 2 Teaspoons of cinnamon, with a dash of sugar, (no honey handy) with hot water. Tastes yummy and has done wonders for the soreness and pain! Amazing tips, love this post!
Perhaps not all natural, but very small sips of 100 proof peppermint schnapps works wonders on a sore throat. It stings at first, but 9 times out of 10 it cures the sore throat. I suspect it wipes out the bacteria exacerbating the sore throat and allows it to heal quickly, much like they use to clean out wounds with alcohol (ouch!).
Thx for these remedies i did baking soda and warm water it seems to be breaking down my sore throat.
I can’t swallow easily. I have gone a few days without worrying about it but now all my hope is lost. It is hard to sleep but when I do, it doesn’t help. I just wake up and it is worse. Going to the doctor today. I have tried some of these remedies and only the milk helped a little bit. I really hope I don’t have the flu or anything.
I use peroxide as a gargle straight. Usually takes care of my swelling tonsils in a day. Tastes like a wet gym sock, but it is so worth it.
Im currently 13 weeks + 3 days pregnant got a real bad red raw sore throat what can i do to ease it???? I just wanna sleep
These are all helpful and great, Many moons ago my Grandma used the peroxide gargle as last resort but 1st choice was always to gargle with a full bodied dry red wine and then you could also swallow it down! after repeating this a few times your throat felt much better and you were soon fast asleep! Mmmm…….. now it all makes sense. No honestly this one works well even if you don’t swallow the wine. Second choice was to gargle with Worcestershire sauce which was effective but a bit vile on taste.
Enjoy
My sister told me this a while back that it`s good to have warm drinks like warm milk so, I made warm milk and added a bit of sugar to it and it work pretty well, so you can also it do this with any warm fluid like chocolate milk it helps really good, but I recommend using milk than any other fluid because milk is a soft but a bit thick type drink that can soothe the throat better than water or juice.
I use hot water ACV lemon juice, fresh or concentrated, shot of ACV and a sprinkle of cayenne pepper on top. I drink about 3-5 cups as needed throughout the day.
try a tablespoon of honey and sprinkle cinomon on it i just tried it and it helps sooth the throat
I’m saddened to find out that alcohol still has such bad reputation. Even though is true that consuming alcohol in excess will harm you; at the small dosages recommended for medicinal purposes the effect is always good health. Constant, yet moderate drinking of wine and beer had proven to be good for us. Precisely of what’s expected. So there’s obv bias. Eg, the salt and water solution explicitly says not to over do it. And if one were to carry the same train of thought of say the ACV one, over alcohol in particular; one would unequivocally arrive at the same conclusion. And it also makes perfect sense. If alcohol kills germs, then why can’t it be a good remedy for one of flu’s symptoms?! &Finally, I just wanted to add that indeed it used to be a popular cough reliever ingredient; until some feelings over facts and we know better what’s best for you individuals started to complain. I’d understand if I was a under 7yo child, or an undiscernible adult; but since I’m not either…
Make a paste of a few cloves of garlic and a few slices of ginger and eat about 1/4 to one half teaspoonful (with a bit of honey if you want to lessen the tingle). Follow that with a class of warm water, apple cider or hot tea of choice. It’s not foe every taste (and not for kids), but it really soothes a raw throat up quite nicely.
If you don’t feel up to that chopping and cutting, buy some garlic/ginger paste at a market that sells cooking ingredients from India. Making it is going to be healthier, as some of the commercial pastes tend to have preservatives in them.
Ok, it’s not quite curing cancer but by combining some of the tips on this site I made a drug-free cure for sore throats. I had tonsillitis, couldn’t swallow without my eyes leaking tears and as I’m pregnant I’m not allowed most over the counter stuff so decided to brew my own potions.
I’ve called it ‘heaven and hell’, because first you make a mix of hot water, cayenne pepper, salt, bicarbonate of soda, garlic and cider vinegar (use the quantities in the tips above X as many doses as you need to make, I chose a X10 for everything in 500ml of hot water). You gargle with this every hour until you’re fixed (was 8 hours in my case). After putting yourself through this trauma (tastes like the devil’s armpit) you get to sip a mixture of honey, lemon, ginger and pomegranate juice (delish) to take the taste away and do further fixing of the throat.
Normally I wake up feeling like death when I have tonsillitis, but after just a few hours of dosing myself like this yesterday I woke up this morning ever so slightly croaky but no pain, no swelling, all the pus bits gone (sorry overshare) – it’s amazing!! Thank you Claire and everydayroots.com for the inspiration. I’ll definitely think natural before OTC/prescription meds next time I’m suffering.
Such a great list! I got sick a few days ago and I am now suffering from a sore throat. I also, unfortunately, lost my voice last night. All day I’ve been trying to figure out ways to get rid of my cough and cold altogether (and also regain my voice), then my mom remembered the old ginger trick. My mom uses ginger for sore throats as well, except she just makes me chew it around slowly (it is spicy after all). As mentioned here, it helps clear the airways and help thin out the mucus. The taste is not really that good, but it is tolerable. Just thought I’d share that.
A lot of these suggestions sound good, but I’m wondering which one works the best and the fastest?
That you very much for these tips i was so sick for past days i didnt knw what to do until i got to this site,the home made remedies helped me within a day.nw i wont run to the docter for sore throat;)
Hooray! So glad they helped!
It’s 1:30am and I can’t sleep or swallow due to a sore throat -_- I do have soccer on the weekend and I can’t miss it 🙁 and I have plenty of music practices in the end of this week and the start of next. I definitely can’t sing with this sore throat. Definitely tempted to go down stairs and make a nice warm tea with honey. Hope it leaves soon. Thank you
My mum always makes me lemon, honey and ginger tea. If you get the proportions right it tastes really great, and you need to drink it in the morning and evening 🙂
Another thing that works really well is just sucking on a piece of ginger. I tried it and it works straight away.
Instead of salt water use vinegar and use when your about to go to sleep when u wake it should be gone it worked for my familiy
Tried honey and lemon when I had a sore throat this week. Really helped! Took it after dinner and the next morning I was feeling much better and my sore throat was almost cleared up. Trust me, IT WORKS! 🙂
i thought i was never going to be cured but the 1st remedy i looked at worked instantly i did the gurgling warm salt water and it worked instantly xoxo thnx
I swear by the ACV treatment – it works wonders for sore throats or when I feel myself getting “chesty”.
My throat feels swollen and it hurts really, really bad. I just drank some warm jello, and it helped soothe it but didn’t take away the pain…what can I do…it hurts so bad
I love this post! I’m really prone to sore throats and have a hard time finding anything that works for me, but most of these do! Thank you!
Peroxide tastes yucky, but it is good for your body.
I want to use the garlic sucking method. I had a sore throat for 4 years, and I tried everything my parents said.
I hope this works.
I found that simple boiled water + lemon & honey worked well.
I woke up at 4 in the morning with the worst sore throat. I could barely breathe without it hurting. I made myself a chamomile tea with a cinnamon stick in it and a couple of cloves. Also some honey. It tastes amazing and I feel better!
Thank you for posting this! Apple cider vinegar works so well!!
Absolutely love this post I actually took warm water & salt, Hydrogen peroxide, apple cider Vinegar and Baking soda and combined all into one and gargled together and it really worked well For me and was cured every single time.
Am gonna try this got this unending sore throat and allergic productive coughs