A sore throat can be felt as scratchiness, irritation, and pain of the throat that worsen when swallowing. The most common cause of this irritation is a viral infection such as a common cold but can also be caused by a bacterial infection. This article offers you an insight on how to cure a sore throat fast, in one day naturally at home.
What causes a sore throat?
A sore throat also called pharyngitis can be caused by either a viral or bacterial infection. When caused by a virus, sore throat can be linked to common cold or flu. On the other hand, streptococci bacteria that causes strep throat is the most common bacteria known to cause a sore throat.
A sore throat can also be caused by irritants such as air pollution, dry air, and smoking. Other minor causes of sore throat will include injury to the back of throat and stomach acid backing up into the throat and mouth.
Though common in children, anybody can be affected by a sore throat. Those at increased risk of this infection include people with allergies, tobacco uses, and those with a weak or compromised immune system.
The symptoms shown will often vary depending on what the cause of irritation is. Some common symptoms will, however, include the following:
- Scratchy sensation in the throat
- Problem swallowing
- Pain while swallowing
- Swollen lymph nodes in neck
- White patches in tonsils
- Flu symptoms like fever, headaches and running nose
- Nausea or vomiting
How to cure a sore throat instantly at home
A sore throat is a common condition. As said, anybody can be infected. Though it can have annoying symptoms, sore throat is not life-threatening, at home they are some simple techniques you can use to ease the symptoms and speed up the healing process.
To cure a sore throat instantly at home, you will need to:
- Have enough rest, this will give your body, immune system enough time to fight the infection (viral or bacterial) causing the sore throat
- Drink a lot of fluids, this keeps your throat moist and prevent dehydration that can worsen the symptoms. warm liquids and caffeine-free tea will also do the trick
- You need to avoid irritants, for those who smoke, this may involve not smoking until the infection clears
- You could also gargle with salt water to ease the irritating and soothe the scratchy sensation in throat
- At home, you can also use a cool-air humidifier to eliminate dry air that could further irritate a sore throat. Another alternative would be to sit in steamy bathroom for 20 minutes twice a day
How to cure sore throat and cough quickly
Pain, itchiness, and irritation in the throat are the primary symptoms of sore throat. There are some effective home cures you can use to relieve, soothe and get rid of these symptoms quickly, overnight, naturally at home. Some of these remedies will include the following:
1. Saltwater
Of all the great remedies you can use to quickly get rid of sore throat and cough, gargle with salt water is the easiest. How this works is that salt water reduces swelling by pulling water out of throat tissues.
Salt is a natural antimicrobial as such it may help ill unwanted microbes in your throat.
- Mix a tablespoon of kitchen salt in a glass of warm water
- Gently stir to mix then gargle the resulting solution to relieve swelling and ease the discomfort caused by sore throat
2. Raw honey
Raw honey can also be used to soothe the symptoms of a sore throat. Honey also has natural antibiotic properties that will help fight the infection can soothe the pain.
To make the remedy even more effective, we recommend you mix it in a solution of warm water and apple cider vinegar. Avoid this remedy if you are trying to avoid sugar or maintain a low-carb diet.
3. Marshmallow roots
Marshmallow root has been used for long to treat sore throats and other conditions. This remedy contains a gelatin-like substance known as mucilage, it coats and lubricates your throat when the roots are used to treat sore throats.
- Into a liter jar of water, place marshmallow roots tied up in a bundle
- Infuse overnight or for at least 8 hours
- Sieve the water in a glass and add a tablespoon of raw honey
- Sip on it throughout the day to relieve the symptoms
4. Fenugreek seeds
Fenugreek has many health benefits. To cure sore throat quickly, you can choose to eat the seeds, use fenugreek seed oil or drink fenugreek tea.
Studies show that fenugreek seed has great healing power, this remedy can relieve pain and kill bacteria causing the irritation and inflammation in your throat.
Pregnant women should not use this remedy.
5. Slippery elm
Slippery elm has a mucus-like substance that when mixed with water forms a slick gel that coats and soothes the throat. To use slippery elm:
- Pour boiling water over powdered bark
- Gently stir to mix
- Drink the resulting solution
6. Apple cider vinegar
Acetic, the main active ingredient of apple cider vinegar has been shown to be effective in fighting bacteria. For a long time, a combination of apple cider vinegar and honey has been used to get rid of flu-like symptoms such as a cough and sore throat.
- Add a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar to a glass of warm water
- You can also add a spoon of raw honey
- Mix and drink the resulting solution to relieve the pain and irritation in throat
7. Cayenne pepper
Cayenne pepper is often used as a pain reliever. It contains capsaicin a natural compound known for blocking pain receptors.
For sore throat, ingesting cayenne mixed with warm water and honey may be effective in relieving the pain. Avoid this remedy if you have open sores in your mouth or throat.
How to cure sore throat fast in one day
For even faster relief, you could try the following remedies:
8. Lemon water
You can also use lemon water to get rid of sore throat fast in one day. Lemon juice is a refreshing beverage it can be an effective remedy to get rid of sore throat pain that occurs during a cold or when suffering from flu.
Lemon juice contains vitamin C and antioxidants that can increase the amount of saliva you produce, this may help keep your mouth moist.
To maximize the benefit, mix the juice in warm water and add a tablespoon of raw Manuka honey. This way you are not only able to soothe the symptoms but also speed up the healing of the infection causing the sore throat.
9. Cinnamon
Cinnamon is rich in antioxidants that can provide relief for cold and flu symptoms. When suffering from sore throats, drinking a cup or two of cinnamon tea can be an effective way to get rid of the pain, itching, and irritation in your throat.
To prepare an even effective remedy with cinnamon you can do the following:
- Mix some equal amount of cinnamon and baking powder in a saucepan
- Add half a cup of almond milk and continue to mix
- Heat the mixture until it just begins to simmer
- Remove from heat and add a tablespoon of raw honey
10. Chamomile tea
Chamomile has been used for long for medicinal purposes. This remedy is believed to promote restful sleep which is very important for healing. Studies have also shown that chamomile may help fight infection and relieve pain.
11. Peppermint tea
Apart from chamomile tea, you can also drink a cup or two of peppermint tea. Peppermint contains anti-inflammatory properties that can be extremely soothing for sore throat. The mint can also slightly numb your throat thus relieving the pain.
You can prepare the tea at home by steeping fresh peppermint leaves in boiling water for some minutes. Then drink the resulting solution. The tea is caffeine-free, and naturally, sweat you do not have to add any sweetener to it.
12. Baking soda
While gargling with salt water can be enough, gargling baking soda mixed with salt water can be twice as good. This is because gargling with baking soda can help kill bacteria and prevent growth of yeast and fungi.
- Use a combination of 1 cup of warm water, ¼ tablespoon of baking soda and 1/8 tablespoon of kitchen salt
- Rinse your mouth with clean water after gargling and swishing with the above mixture
13. Garlic
Garlic contains allicin a natural antibacterial property that can help fight off bacterial infection. Studies show that taking garlic supplement on a regular basis can help prevent common cold virus known to cause sore throat.
Add fresh garlic to your diet as a way of gaining its antimicrobial properties.
How to cure sore throat overnight
You can cure sore throat overnight with the following remedies:
14. Licorice root
Licorice roots are said to contain properties similar to those of aspirin. When used as a remedy, licorice roots may help reduce sore throat pain.
There is two option you could use this remedy, one you could gargle with licorice water or consume it as tea. Licorice tea can be purchased from natural grocery stores.
15. Warm liquids
Warm liquids can be soothing when suffering from sore throats. We recommend you try liquids such as warm water with lemon, warm soup or caffeine-free tea with lemon and honey.
Warm liquids are not only good for sore throat, they can also help with sinus mucus which will allow for better drainage that decreases stuffiness and nasal congestion. The liquids will also help keep your body hydrated which is very helpful when feeling sick.
16. Ice cubes
Just like with hot liquids, sucking ice cubes can cool the throat, ease pain and inflammation in throat caused by sore throat. The other thing important thing is that when the cubes melt, they help keep your throat hydrated. This can reduce congestion and keep your throat moist.
17. Throat spray
You could also use a throat spray with an anesthetic to soothe the symptoms overnight. Aesthetics do not cure a sore throat but work by numbing the throat, this is what provides instant relief for the pain and irritation caused by a sore throat.
18. Have enough sleep
Getting adequate sleep is vitally important when treating sore throat. Scientifically, sleep quality is thought to be an important predictor of immunity and susceptibility to the common cold.
Best medicine for sore throat
Treating sore throats will often vary depending on what the underlying cause is. Your healthcare provider will only prescribe an antibiotic when the underlying cause of a sore throat is a bacterial infection. This is because antibiotics do not kill viruses which are the main cause of sore throat.
According to pharmacy times, using antibiotics unnecessarily creates strains of bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics. They add that, without antibiotics majority of patients will be symptom-free within a week or after few days.
Before prescribing any medicine, your healthcare provider may need to do a rapid antigen strep test to determine whether you have a strep infection. In rare cases, a throat culture may be required.
Penicillin is the most common antibiotic prescribed for sore throat. For this allergic to this, your doctor may prescribe erythromycin. In most cases, soft stool and diarrhea are common side effects of taking antibiotics.
It is important to understand that the best medicine for a sore throat can only be prescribed after a proper medical diagnosis. We recommend taking over the counter medication as most may often not work or may end up causing unwanted side effects.
Sources and references:
- https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/sore-throat/symptoms-causes/syc-20351635
- http://www.pharmacytimes.com/publications/issue/2014/november2014/treating-sore-throat
- https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/sore-throat/manage/ptc-20202009
- https://www.healthline.com/health/cold-flu/sore-throat-natural-remedies
- https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/318631.php