A sore throat can make your life miserable. It can interfere with your daily activities, distract you from work, and make sleeping difficult at night. If you are experiencing a sore throat that just won’t go away, don’t fret.

There are several easy DIY remedies you can try at home to alleviate the pain and discomfort.

What causes a sore throat?

A sore throat can be caused by many factors, including viral infections, bacterial infections, allergies, dry air, and irritants like cigarette smoke or pollution.

A sore throat due to a viral infection, such as the common cold or flu, usually goes away on its own within a week. However, bacterial infections like strep throat require medical treatment with antibiotics.

Apple Cider Vinegar Gargle

Apple cider vinegar has antimicrobial properties that can help get rid of bacteria causing a sore throat. To use it for a sore throat, mix 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar with 1 cup of warm water and gargle the solution for 30 seconds.

Spit out the solution and repeat this process every few hours until your sore throat disappears.

Marshmallow Root Tea

Marshmallow root contains mucilage, a gel-like substance that coats and soothes a sore throat. To make marshmallow root tea, add 1 tablespoon of dried marshmallow root to a cup of boiling water. Let the mixture steep for 10-15 minutes before drinking. You can drink marshmallow root tea twice a day until your sore throat symptoms are relieved.

Turmeric Milk

Turmeric is a powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant that can help ease the pain and inflammation associated with a sore throat.

To make turmeric milk, heat a cup of milk with a teaspoon of ground turmeric, a teaspoon of honey, and a pinch of black pepper. Drink turmeric milk before sleeping for a couple of days to find relief from the sore throat.

Peppermint Tea

Peppermint tea has a cooling effect that can soothe a sore throat. The menthol in peppermint has a mild anesthetic effect that helps relieve pain. To make peppermint tea, add 1 tablespoon of dried peppermint leaves to a cup of boiling water.

Let the mixture steep for 10-15 minutes before drinking. Drink peppermint tea a few times a day to find relief from the sore throat.

Saltwater Gargle

Gargling saltwater can help decrease the inflammation and pain associated with a sore throat. To make a saltwater gargle, mix 1 teaspoon of salt into a cup of warm water. Gargle the solution for 30 seconds and repeat the process every few hours as needed.

Make sure to spit out the solution after gargling for preventing contamination.

Slippery Elm Lozenges

Slippery elm lozenges are made from the bark of the slippery elm tree. They are believed to help soothe a sore throat by coating it. Slippery elm lozenges are available over-the-counter in most health food stores.

You can suck on slippery elm lozenges several times a day as per your requirement.

Honey and Lemon

Honey and lemon can help coat and soothe a sore throat. Lemon is a natural source of vitamin C that can help strengthen your immune system, while honey has antimicrobial properties.

To use honey and lemon for a sore throat, mix a tablespoon of honey and the juice of half a lemon in a cup of warm water. Drink this mixture once or twice a day until your sore throat subsides.

Cayenne Pepper Tea

Cayenne pepper contains capsaicin that has a numbing effect on the throat. To make cayenne pepper tea, add a pinch of cayenne pepper powder to a cup of boiling water. Let the mixture steep for a few minutes and add a tablespoon of honey.

Drink this tea once or twice a day until your sore throat disappears.

Oregano Oil Drops

Oregano oil has antimicrobial, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory properties that can help kill infections causing a sore throat. To use oregano oil, add a few drops of oregano oil to a glass of water and gargle the solution for 30 seconds.

You can also add a few drops of oregano oil to a humidifier to help clear a congested nose and soothe a sore throat.

Keep Yourself Hydrated

Keeping yourself hydrated when you have a sore throat is essential. You can drink warm liquids like tea, soup, or warm water with honey and lemon. Hydrating yourself can help thin out the mucus in your throat and ease congestion.

It is recommended to drink 8-10 glasses of water or liquid a day to maintain a healthy throat.

These are some of the easiest DIY remedies that you can try at home to alleviate a sore throat.

However, if your sore throat persists for more than a week or if other symptoms like high fever, difficulty swallowing, and swollen lymph nodes appear, seek medical advice.