Sore Throat
Natural Remedies

10 Best Natural Remedies for Soothing a Sore Throat

Tea Tree Oil

5 User Reviews
5 star (4) 
  80%
1 star (1) 
  20%

Posted by Jammie (Wilmington, OH) on 03/03/2006
★★★★★

I was reading some of the things people posted and when i saw the tea tree oil I saw my bottle sitting on my computer table as if saying here I am - I thought doesn't hurt to try so far it has helped some I can swallow my own saliva without having the think about it and cringe when I finally do- thanks for the advice!


Tea Tree Oil
Posted by Luke (Glasgow) on 02/06/2006
★☆☆☆☆

i used tea tree oil and it made my tonsils swell up even worse than they were. didn't work at all.


Tea Tree Oil
Posted by Shae (Alexandria, VA) on 01/28/2006
★★★★★

Tea Tea is a miracle cure for sore throats. Take tea tree oil and put a few drops on a cotton ball. Wipe the cotton ball on the outside of your throat, where you are feeling pain. Repeat this process whenever you feel like you need it!


Tea Tree Oil
Posted by Anonymous (USA)
★★★★★

thanks for this stuff guys...i'm currently at home away from school which i think i'm suffering from the flu...but i find if u mix half a tea spoon of tea tree oil with a tablespoon of water and gargle it, it really soothes and gets rid of a sore throat... this is because it is a natural anti-bacterial disinfectant...but make sure u don't swallow, as it is very toxic..


Ted's Remedy Feedback

2 User Reviews
5 star (2) 
  100%

Posted by Missy (Toronto, Ontario, Canada) on 03/03/2008
★★★★★

Hello, FIRSTLY, I THANK EACH & EVERY ONE OF YOU, ESPECIALLY TED for taking the time from your busy schedules or physical discomfort for sharing and helping all of us in need. GOD BLESS YOU ALL!

My throat was not only like razors when swallowing, horrible coughing from chest with phlegm & fever, but my gums were very swollen especially on the right side of mouth behind the molars. They were seriously infected, sort of cut up, open lesions and extremely sensitive when I tried to eat. My Tinnitus was so loud my balance was affected. My head was pounding, sinuses all stuffed up and face puffy. I'm scheduled for nasal surgery on the 20th of this mth and needed to clear this up asap or no surgery. I need to avoid antibiotics now as I may need them later and less is more. Oh, and my lips were very cracked and dry. (I just threw out my toothpaste as per info re: fluoride poisoning on this site, using baking soda & H2o2 combo)

I read [your] article about the ice cream and lo and behold....that is exactly what I had at my favourite Chinese Buffet two days prior and even had more of it since then. This seems to happen every time I eat the darn stuff, but NOT as bad as this time. My body must have been very acidic due to over consumption of meat & starch from the buffet along with the poisonous chemical in the ice cream.

Ted's soooo smart and I thank him from the bottom of my heart for his compassion and knowledge. So I began to alkaline my body with the baking soda WITH NO ALUMINUM and 1/2 of a lemon in a glass of R/O water (reverse osmosis). The AVC just didn't do it for me.
I stepped up the Super Cal Mag Plus (Shaklee), Vitamin B Complex (which included zinc and Vitamin B2) as per Ted & took Emergen-C (best vitamin C around) & 3% H2o2 spray, food grade & CELL FOOD drops in drinking water & vitamins.

I had not read as far as the cayenne cure as yet, so I made a Organic green tea with ORGANIC ginger (huge difference and very potent) and raw honey. Chewing on the ginger really burned, killed me to chew as gums were so sensitive. (even chewing on ORGANIC garlic did me in). I love spicy foods, but this was so unbearable....I quickly took a large spoon of Virgin Coconut Oil & swished it around my mouth. IMMEDIATE RELIEF! Better and quicker than bread or milk. I pushed a chunk of it onto the cut gums and just let it gradually melt, WOW, IMMEDIATE RELIEF. The cuts started to close up. Lips are a lot better too. I kept all this up over the past 4 days. BUT, I wondered why I was having such coughing jags, then I remembered that I turned down the humidifier in the basement furnace during our last cold snap as the windows were full of moisture. I just turned it back on at 3 am last night. Woke up with no coughing & no pain but also no voice. If you live in an apartment, remember, it may be to dry in there, get a humidifier, air moisture very important.

I quickly came back to this site and read more. I started chewing on the cloves (not garlic) and finally I can speak, not great yet, but I can speak.

Ted's remedy with Green Tea & Baking Soda combo was what got everything in my throat to finally settle down as of yesterday. I used Organic, no pesticide tea. This combo is the best, I even squeezed in 1/2 lemon juice. (Always remember to wash the outside of the lemon with some of your dish soap to remove pesticides and other germs before cutting into it.) Oh, and to aid the alkaline, I made a pot of Organic Black Turtle Bean Soup as per the Gout remedy (I do not have gout) but thought this would feed me and keep everything alkaline.

I forgot to mention, I also started taking New Chapters Holy Basil to reduce cortisol due to STRESS. Do not swallow. Just crack open the gel tab with teeth and let the God awful contents stay under the tongue for a few minutes and then swallow. You can spit out the gel tab after you get all the contents out. Really helps with the soar throat & stress. Take as often as needed. It really helps to calm everything down.


Ted's Remedy Feedback
Posted by Daniella (NY) on 12/10/2006
★★★★★

I have another feedback for the sore throat. I am on antibiotics at the moment (I had to take them, my family insisted) but I developed a couple of days ago a sore throat. I was worried it was antibiotic resistant strep, since I have been having strep other times this year. I followed Ted advise: I gargled with potassium bicarbonate (my brother got it in Italy) and the sore throat disappeared magically in half a day! That's impressive! Thanks to Ted! He is the best!


Tequila

2 User Reviews
5 star (1) 
  50%
1 star (1) 
  50%

Posted by Jacob (Costa Mesa, Ca) on 10/26/2008
★★★★★

I have very sensitive sinuses. I cannot, in my entire life, recall a year where I did not get to enjoy the wonders of a sinus infection. For me this means, among other things, lots and lots of very sore throats. A few years ago I was informed of an unorthodox sounding homeopathic remedy which I tried and have had tremendous success with.
What strikes me as odd is that this remedy is not at all featured on your sore throat article as a popular solution.
At the time I was working in a bar as a bouncer and between the yelling that is necessary to control a crowd and the sore throat I had even breathing had become a labored process. I asked the bartender what she did in these situations. She told me that she drank a shot of tequila and had learned to do so from one of our cooks, Luciano (Lucy for short.) I thought she was messing with me and didnt appreciate it. So I approached Lucy when she wasnt around and asked him. He told me about the tequila. He is a notorious joker, so I still didn't believe. I asked our other cook Pedro, and he also told me he would take a shot of tequila. It was just too much, so I figured I'd do it just to prove them wrong. I know that you prefer to keep your website label free, but they were pretty insistant that I use Patron, and I will explain why in a moment. Patron is very pungent, but the silver label is incredibly smooth as tequila goes, and that is pretty much the only reason to use it above other tequilas. I have used Cuervo as a cheap alternative and had similar success, the Patron is just more pleasant going down. As a rule drinking is a bad idea with a sore throat because it will dehydrate you and aggravate the condition and further your discomfort. If you can keep it to just ONE shot though the results are amazing.
That night, and every time I have had a sore throat worth treating since then, the shot of tequila worked miracles. Relief within about a minute, and by the next morning my throat felt good enough to let me yell again. I took another shot the following night and it was all cleared up by the next day. I get predictably similar results every time I repeat this remedy. I must stress that keeping yourself to just 1 or 2 shots is PARAMOUNT. A sore throat is not a good reason to go out and have a night of binge drinking. You will regret it.

I also understand that this remedy might not be practical depending on your religeon. You will, however, find that most religeons are quite tolerant of using mind affecting drugs when it is done so in a medical capacity. I myself subscribe to a religeon that prohibits me from drinking, smoking, or imbibing anything that might limit my ability to function in any way. But even I am allowed to take vicodin when disabled by headaches or tequila when rendered mute by a sore throat.

Replied by Ted
(Bangkok, Thailand)
10/27/2008
391 posts
★☆☆☆☆

WARNING!

Tequila is long known to help sore throat in some cases, but it won't stop recurrence of sore throat. The reason for sore throat is virus or bacteria. So even a beer with plenty of tabasco sauce or halbenero pepper sauce may actually kill the sore throat too. Even a lemon juice with tabasco sauce or hot sauce also worked just as well without the alcohol. In certain cases very sore throat infection runs deep into the throat, the alcohol reaches the pathogens quicker killing them. But it can't be used frequently and I used only in extreme circumstances when alcohol is actually added. The reason is that alcohol also destroys the immune system in the process and takes days to recover because it cause the body to be metabolically acidosis. The other issue is alcohol has a tendency to be addictive to some people and then they start rationalizing for their continued use. I have found people who use alcohol added sore throat remedy will have a high recurrence rate compared to a lemon, baking soda or hydrogen peroxide, for the simple reason that alcohol also harms healthy cells and hence it lower's the body's immune system.


Tomato Paste

1 User Review
5 star (1) 
  100%

Posted by Ninorine (Tampa, Florida) on 09/21/2007
★★★★★

An old family remedy that has been in my family for years is to boil four tomatoes with a teaspoon of salt until cooked then mash them up to form a paste. Then apply this paste to your neck area and quickly rap your neck around with warm moist towels, then lay down for thirty minutes. If you have a vaporizer place it near your head. This should clear your sore throat in about two day. The remaining juice from the tomatoe paste can be used as a soothing throat drink mixture, be sure to add a hint of salt. It works like a charm. Most say it works best on children.


Tomato Tea

1 User Review
5 star (1) 
  100%

Posted by Hedandsam (Perrysburg, Ohio) on 01/30/2013
★★★★★

Love the Tomato Tea for colds and sore throat! It totally cured my terrible sore throat, and my husband said it really helped him too. Just getting over a cold and this has helped me feel much better very quickly, and could actually sleep thru the night for a change. Thank you so much!


Tongue Stretch

6 User Reviews
5 star (3) 
  50%
1 star (3) 
  50%

Posted by Homeschool Mom (Minneapolis, Minnesota) on 04/27/2023
★★★★★

Tried this while waiting for some tea to brew to help relieve my sore throat. I mostly tried it out of curiosity and didn't expect it to do anything. Much to my surprise, the stretch itself was a tad painful, like trying hard to stretch a tight hamstring. However, I gave it all I had and discovered after the stretch I could instantly swallow without pain. My overall sore throat pain reduced about 70-80%. Talking no longer hurts, either. I did a little quick research and discovered this stretch is part of the yoga move "Lion's Breath."


Tongue Stretch
Posted by Lauren (Santa rosa, California) on 02/17/2008
★★★★★

Here are the instructions to easing your sore throat pain:

Stick out your tongue as far as possible, trying to touch the tip of it to your chin. This is an extreme stretch; when you feel you have reached full stretch capacity, stretch it further, and then even further. You should give this all you've got. You should stretch your tongue toward your chin until you nearly gag. That's it! Usually, sore throat pain will be minimized (if not removed!) immediately. Repeat this technique every half hour until signifigant improvement is gained. I have used and shared this technique for over 10 years with family, friends, and clients, with nearly 100% of people reporting moderate to complete pain relief. -richelle hawks

i tried this and it worked for me.

Replied by Jfnj
(Manteno, Il)
09/19/2010
★☆☆☆☆

Doesn't work for me, now it's 10 times worse!

Replied by Annsmeal
(Bailey, Colorado)
09/21/2010

I have used the tongue stretch for many years as well. I always tell people to look in mirror when doing this because your tongue should be rounded not pointed when sticking it out. This method uses different muscles and works better for a sore throat.

Replied by Ruby
(Omaha, Ne)
04/24/2012
★☆☆☆☆

I tried it and it worked for about five seconds.

Replied by Macy
(Yakima, Wa)
05/11/2012
★★★★★

Actually worked, really well. I can swallow now! So weird

Replied by Felicia
(Texas)
06/10/2015
★☆☆☆☆

That did not work at all!

Replied by Sabrina
(Nh)
04/07/2016

I use this method all the time but I stretch my tongue side to side instead. As a child I was told to do this by an ENT specialist. It helps with tense muscles in the neck as well.


Tonic Water

2 User Reviews
5 star (2) 
  100%

Posted by Joshua (Dubai, Uae) on 06/20/2012
★★★★★

Go into any good store an buy some tonic water (the yellow label) and make sure it says with quinine at the bottom. Drink this and when you throat feels painful and it will ease the pain instantly. Drink whenever pain returns.

Replied by Linstor
(Uk)
03/18/2017
★★★★★

Tonic water with Q has always worked for my sore throats, great to read not the only one.


Turmeric

6 User Reviews
5 star (5) 
  83%
1 star (1) 
  17%

Posted by Charlie (Jacksonville, Fl) on 12/13/2012
★★★★★

Turmeric powder! Its a miracle worker! Gargle some of this in warm water a couple times and bam! Your sore throat is gone! I swear! Old Indian secret taught to me by a friend.


Turmeric
Posted by Grayson (Orlando, Fl) on 07/26/2009
★★★★★

SORE THROAT RELIEF: Having recently stopped a respiratory infection in it's tracks by spraying a solution of 3% Hydrogen Peroxide directly into the throat using a saline nasal spray bottle that I emptied of nasal spray and filled with H202, I found that the virus has left my throat raw, sore and irritated and I was coughing up copious amounts of greenish phlegm. To alleviate the soreness, I put approximately 1/4 teaspoon of turmeric in my mouth and held it there until it was thoroughly mixed with saliva then slowly swallowed the mixture aided with a little liquid of choice such as water or coffee,etc..A very similar technique to oil pulling except there was only turmeric and saliva-no oil was used.WHAT A RELIEF!!!The turmeric will slightly numb the tongue but this passes quickly. I do not spray the H202 into the nose as it tends to decrease my sense of taste.


Turmeric
Posted by Elsy (Singapore) on 03/24/2008
★☆☆☆☆

I am having a bad sore throat. I tried your remedy of turmeric, pepper, ginger in warm water. While drinking the water, the pain reduced. But it returned soon after. Then I cut up half a clove of garlic and added a teaspoon of honey to it. I was unable to take the garlic due to its burning taste. But the honey coated the 'scratchy and painful' parts of my throat. The skin has gone off at the back of my throat. So it is still painful..!



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