16Aug/10Off
What is your best remedy for a nasty, burning sore throat? (Read the comments!)?
I am overseas and currently staying at an out-of-the way spa & have limited access to grocery store/liquor store goods, there is NO Western pharmacy here at all! Does anyone have any truly good remedies - other than taking vitamin c, gargling with salt & hot water, or drinking hot water & fresh-squeezed lemon juice, or taking garlic or ginger which is a natural antibiotic and boost to the immune system? I have echinacea drops & infusion with me but nothing is helping my throat tonight...it is preventing me from sleeping and it is very painful. Thx in advance to the serious replies.
August 16th, 2010 - 13:43
It sounds like you trying everything.
Okay first, echinacea isn’t going to help you. When echinacea was first studied, it was found to boost white blood cell counts. That’s how it became known as an immune cell booster. Further research revealed that the extra white blood cells that developed were malformed. The recently found out that the malformed white cells were ineffective at fighting off disease. Echinacea is useless! Furthermore, it was found that if you take the herb for too long, it actually lowers your white blood cell counts BELOW NORMAL!!! Not only doesn’t echinacea help, but it is actively HARMFUL to you!
Research on vitamin C waffles back and forth. Same with Zinc lozenges, ginger tea, or garlic.
The theory on salt water is that the salt will cause the cell walls of bacteria to burst, helping you get over your sore throat faster. I have not seen research for or against on this.
It sounds that you are trying to get a good night’s sleep.
The best advice then is to take either tylenol (acetaminophen) or motrin (ibuprofen), or another over the counter pain reliever. If that is not available, I would try a hot toddy.
A hot toddy is a traditional sorethroat remedy. There are tons of ways to make it. Mix one part honey and one part whiskey with a teabag, & one part lemon juice and hot water. You can flavor the drink with cinnamon/cloves/etc. The honey thickens the concoction so it can travel down the throat a little slower. The alcohol numbs the throat so you can get it a little rest.
August 16th, 2010 - 13:43
I know you said besides this, but gargling warm salt water really will help…not hot, but warm. It always does the trick for me. Give it a try =).
August 16th, 2010 - 13:43
garggling with salt added medium heated water.
or eat ginger pieces.
August 16th, 2010 - 13:43
Do not swallow the warm salt water, or you’ll vomit.
You can also take a zinc tablet & chew it up & swallow it. Zinc helps fight infection. FYI; it will be bitter!
Oh; almost forgot…regular Lipton or Red Rose tea (NON-herbal) has tannic acid in it that is very soothing to sore throats. Good luck!
August 16th, 2010 - 13:43
there are a few things..the root and leaves of raspberry…if you cant get the root that’s OK,the leaves will be fine for the tea,which should be mixed with wild cherry bark.
August 16th, 2010 - 13:43
Crush an asipirin up in warm H2O and gargle. I usually spit it out, or you can swallow it for further pain relieving help.