Sore Throat Remedies

Benjamin had the worst sore throat amongst many other things this week and it wasn't going away, so I finally looked up some remedies online that might help. I was surprised by how much I found and how interesting they were. It was nice getting to be nurse after several months of not being able to help him in these areas! There were a total of 14 remedies, but I only used the most interesting ones :) Anyhow, I thought I would share what I found ;)

I found all of these on

How Stuff Works

Gargle with warm saltwater. If you can gargle without gagging, make a saline solution by adding 1/2 teaspoon salt to a cup of very warm water. Yes, when your mother told you to gargle with saltwater, she knew what she was talking about. It cuts phlegm and reduces inflammation. Dissolve 1/2 teaspoon salt in 1/2 cup warm water, and gargle every three to four hours.

Drink Apple Cider Vinegar

This sore throat cure is found in several different remedies. Some doctors still swear that it is surprisingly palatable and works wonders. (Do not give it -- or any other honey-containing food or beverage -- to children under two years of age. Honey can carry a bacterium that can cause a kind of food poisoning called infant botulism and may also cause allergic reactions in very young children.)

1 tablespoon honey, any kind 1 tablespoon vinegar, preferably apple-cider vinegar

• 8 ounces hot water Mix all the ingredients together in a mug and sip slowly (but don't let it get cold). Use as often as desired.For gargling: You'll need 1 teaspoon salt, 1/2 cup cider vinegar, and 1 cup warm water. Dissolve the salt in the vinegar, then mix in the water. Gargle every 15 minutes as necessary.

Use Citrus

Sip lemon juice. Mix 1 tablespoon each of honey and lemon juice in 1 cup warm water and sip away. Drink lime juice. Combine 1 spoonful with a spoonful of honey and take as often as needed for a sore throat.

Make Horseradish Cocktail

Try this Russian sore-throat cure. Combine 1 tablespoon pure horseradish or horseradish root with 1 teaspoon honey and 1 teaspoon ground cloves. Mix in a glass of warm water and drink slowly.

Suck On Garlic

This Amish remedy can treat or prevent sore throats. Peel a fresh clove, slice it in half, and place 1 piece in each cheek. Suck on the garlic like a cough drop. Occasionally, crush your teeth against the garlic, not to bite it in half, but to release itsallicin, a chemical that can kill the bacteria that causes strep.

Steam It Out

One old-fashioned remedy for a cold or sore throat is a steam tent -- sitting with your face over a bowl of steaming hot water and your head covered with a towel to keep the steam in. Adding 1 to 2 drops eucalyptus oil can be soothing.

While it's easy to dismiss such a simple measure as an old wives' tale, several scientific studies have shown that steaming can actually shorten the duration of a throat infection.

We tried all of them except the Horseradish Cocktail and the Apple Cider Vinegar simply because I didn't have any! Benjamin seemed pretty impressed on how well I new how to ease his discomforts :P he he