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.
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.
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.
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.
