Did you ever have that feeling that there is something lodged in your throat and every time you swallow your food, you feel like you have just ingested a whole rock down your throat? And you can't seem to avoid the pain since swallowing - even our own saliva - is a natural and an involuntary mechanism of our body. That sandpaper and tender feeling every time you swallow is a sign that you are currently having a sore throat. But you need not worry about it since it is curable and everybody around the world experiences sore throat more than once in their lifetime.

A sore throat is a reaction due to the inflammation of the pharynx. There are two main types of infection that would cause this: a viral infection, which is self-limiting and disappears within days and Bacterial infection, which is more severe and lasts longer than that of a viral infection. The symptoms are the same for both types and differ only with the severity and the length of time. There are also a lot of factors that can cause a sore throat, such as: smoking, allergic reactions, dry air (breathing through your mouth), acid reflux and abused use of the throat through excessive shouting, singing or coughing.

There are a lot of products in the market that are readily available for your particular need. However, there are also products that can be found in your kitchen that is as effective and efficient as the ones bought in the pharmacy. You will be surprised to what home remedies can do to help alleviate and cure the pain you are having. In addition, think of how much money you can save - as well as time - by opting natural remedies found inside your home.

So here are some home remedies that can help you alleviate your sore throat naturally.

Salt water gargle

When you are at home and you just ran out of commercial gargle solution in your house and you just need to alleviate yourself from the pain, what else in your pantry that can help you solve your throat dilemma? It's simple. Make a Saline or Warm Salt water solution and use it as a gargle. This solution helps decrease the inflammation as well as eliminating phlegm. Just add half a teaspoon of salt to a half cup of warm water and gargle every three to four hours.

Honey and Lemon

Would you like some Lemonade? Who would have thought that Lemon is not only great for pies but also for curing your sore throat. Since Lemon belongs to the array of citrus fruits, this fruit is rich in Vitamin C which aides in lessening the inflammation. Just mix equal parts of honey and lemon to a cup of warm water and sip your sores away. So don't fret when you have sore throat, just juice up!

Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple Cider Vinegar has already made wonders in the field of Science, Health and Beauty. And again, it is no longer surprising that Apple Cider can cure your sore throat. With a cup of hot water, just add a tablespoon of Apple cider Vinegar and a tablespoon of honey. Slowly take small sips and don't let it get cold. You can drink this anytime of the day and as often as desired. You can also use this as a gargle if you prefer this over the saline solution. Just mix one teaspoon salt, 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar and 1 cup warm water. Gargle every 15 minutes or as necessary.

Cayenne Pepper

Although there is not enough evidence showing why Cayenne pepper has yet been effective in relieving pain from sore throat, there has been accounts that says cayenne has been effective for pain relief but only temporarily. To make your Cayenne pepper gargle, mix 1/4 cup warm water and 2 tablespoon of cayenne pepper for 60 seconds. Gargle a mouthful of the solution for 10 seconds. For additional effectiveness, you can add 1 tablespoon of salt since salt decreases inflammation and bacterial growth.

Turmeric

Turmeric is another spice wonder that would help you alleviate the soreness of your throat. You can either choose to gargle it or incorporate it to your favorite hot milk or tea drink whichever way you prefer it. To relieve you from your stubborn, dry throat, just mix a 1/2 teaspoon turmeric and salt in to a cup of hot water for gargling. But if you are uncomfortable using turmeric as a gargle, you can add 1/2 teaspoon turmeric to your favorite hot milk or drink. Reminder: Turmeric causes staining on shirts, so be careful when you mix and gargle.

Citrus Fruits

Aside from Lemon, there are a lot of citrus fruits available in the market that you can choose from. One of which is Lime. Citrus fruits are good source of Vitamin C which helps boost your immune system and help fight the inflammation. So, mix a tablespoon of lime with equal parts of honey and ingest it as often as you would like to alleviate your sore throat.

Rest

When you feel something different about your body, it only means one thing: you are working your body way too much. Some illnesses are caused by stress and that is why it is always important to spare some time for yourself in order for your body to regain back its formal glory. Seven to eight hours of sleep is indeed needed by the body to regenerate. Sometimes a good quality rest is all your body needed to get back on track

Now that you have known all the natural remedies for sore throat, you don't have to worry about it anymore. You can do your first aide at home using these simple home remedies. But if symptoms still persists, address the situation to a medical professional to give you the proper antibiotics for your sore throat. Remember that in order to know what strain and cause of the bacterial infection is, proper culture of the strain is needed.

Sources
health.howstuffworks.com
healthguidance.org
prevention.com