The Best Ways to Quickly Alleviate a Sore Throat

With cold weather blowing in, sore throats become common occurrences. While a sore throat can be annoying and painful, fortunately, there are many ways to quickly relieve the symptoms and get back to feeling your best. So if you have a sore throat, here are some of the best ways to quickly alleviate your symptoms.

Gargle with Saline

Saline is a simple, safe and inexpensive remedy for sore throats that works immediately. To create your own saline, simply mix a half teaspoon of salt in 8 ounces of warm water. Stir until the salt completely dissolves, then gargle with the mixture for up to 60 seconds, letting it slowly wash against the back of your throat. Not only does the salt help reduce any swelling, the warm water can also help to soothe your throat. This remedy has been used for centuries, and for good reason.

Take Antibiotics

If a sore throat is caused by a bacterial infection, your doctor may prescribe antibiotics to quickly treat the problem. While antibiotics are powerful medications and will usually take care of the infection quickly, they can cause unwanted side effects that range from mild to severe, so it’s important to always follow your doctor’s instructions carefully and take the full course of the antibiotic, even if you feel better.

Try Natural Remedies

There are many natural remedies to help relieve the symptoms of a sore throat that don’t involve antibiotics. Honey, lemon and slippery elm have all been known to coat and soothe the throat, while other herbs like sage and peppermint can provide some anti-inflammatory relief. Additionally, many essential oils like eucalyptus and peppermint have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that can help you heal quicker. Even something as simple as drinking warm water with honey can go a long way to providing quick and effective relief.

While a sore throat can be annoying and painful, there are several remedies that you can use to quickly and effectively alleviate the symptoms. Whatever remedy you choose, make sure to follow the instructions carefully, and always consult your doctor if the symptoms persist or get worse.