The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
Vicks Vapor Rub
Posted by Mark (Toronto, ON) on 02/04/2006
★★★★★
I tried Vics Vaporub last night and it helps. I think I will try it again for several days on my neck, chest and back before going to sleep.
Vicks Vapor Rub
Posted by Lindsey (Rising City) on 01/11/2006
★★★★★
I tried Vics vapor rub after my mom and her friend told me about it. You put some on your neck, wrap your neck in a towel and safty pin the towel shut. I usually do this before I go to bed and the next morning, my sore throat is gone along with my stuff nose! WORKS GREAT!
Vinegar
Posted by Dubdroid (West Midlands, Uk) on 10/05/2013
★★★★★
Managed to cure my sore throat in a very short time by buying a medium sized jar of pickled onions in sweet vinegar, chewing slowly and drinking small amounts of the vinegar with each swallow. May slightly aggravate stomach ulcer sufferers but also helps ease those with symptoms of gaseous Irritable Bowel Syndrome. This remedy is not as damaging to the throat lining as gargling salt in my opinion - and decidedly a more pleasant experience. Also took an occasional combination of a dissolved aspirin and 2 Ibuprofen - no more than 4 times in 24hrs. Seems to ease pain and improve blood circulation for antibody attack on infection. Seriously cured my sore throat within 2 days. The occasional teaspoon of honey swallowed slowly at the back of the throat also helps. Recommended.
Vinegar
Posted by Kiwi6262 (Cullman, Al) on 11/01/2009
★★★★★
My 5 year old had such a bad sore throat that he was nearly in tears for several hours, so I was desperate. After reading the suggestions and things that have worked for other people, I decided to try out the apple cider vinegar, honey, lemon in warm water. Only problem was, I only had artificial lemon juice, white vinegar, and yellow syrup, but like I said, I was desperate! So! I warmed some water, put in a TBS of artificial lemon juice, a TBS of white vinegar, and 2 TBS of yellow syrup and tasted it to make sure it wasn't horrible (my son is 5 after all, and reasoning with him to drink something awful just because it will make him feel better isn't really an option!) and it tasted fine. I gave it to him and before he had half the cup drank he gave it back to me and said "Good job Mommy! It worked! I'm all better now!" I'd say that's the best testamonial you could get!
Replied by Tom
(Opole, Poland)
04/05/2011
★★★★★
Replied by Gina
(Denver, Co)
05/20/2011
★☆☆☆☆
Replied by Sara
(Edmonton, Alberta Canada)
05/29/2011
★★★★☆
Replied by Jasmeena
(Winnipeg, Manitoba/canada)
07/31/2011
★★★★★
Replied by Naomi
(Ottawa, Ontario)
08/07/2011
★★★★★
Replied by Ninijo
(Ytown, Sc)
01/16/2013
★★★★★
Vinegar
Posted by Tory (Jackson, California) on 12/21/2008
★★★★★
I'm suffering from the worst sore throat I've EVER had, and I'm 51. I read all the cures and the most posted about Apple cider & vinegar, so I didn't have any vinegar here, but I did have these pickled garlic pieces, I chewed one and drank some juice from it, its the first I've had relief in 4 days!!!
Replied by Abby
(Birmingham, England)
09/12/2012
Vinegar
Posted by Kaila (Springdale, Arkansas) on 07/13/2008
★★★★★
Welll i try salt and vinigar with hot water to gargle. It might taste odd but it helps alot. Use five teaspoons of salt and a half cup a vinigar. but it does not matter how much water you use! Hope it helps.
Vinegar
Posted by Ryan Preston (Leicester, England, UK) on 11/09/2007
★★★★★
I can't really give much of a different song here, but what I done to cure my unbearable sore throat and runny nose (I'm still doing it) is by mixing up a concoction of malt vinegar (ACV is hard to get here), honey, lemon juice and water. That, within the last 10 mins of commencing this note has soothed my throat a lot. Now, to cure the runny noise, I made myself hot tea (NO MILK) and added honey and lemon juice, I mixed, then drank whilst it was hot. The runny nose problem is virtually abundant. And the sore throat should be, too. So... hot water, lemon juice, vinegar and honey do the trick!
Vinegar
Posted by Patricia (Port Dover, canada) on 08/02/2007
★★★★★
I JUST SHOT A MOUTHFUL OF MALT VINEGAR INTO MY MOUTH FROM THE BOTTLE AND VOILA THE PAIN IS NEARLY GONE.. I READ SOMEWHERE YEARS AGO THAT IT GOES AFTER THE BACTERIA IN THE INFECTION..NOT SURE IF THATS TRUE BUT IT WORKED LIKE A CHARM!! give it a try..and vinegar really!! the first ten seconds are pretty intense but it is worth it.
Vinegar
Posted by George (Seattle, WA) on 04/03/2007
★★★★★
white vinegar, water, crushed vitamin c, and salt instantly relieved the pain of my sore throat.
Vinegar and Water Compress
Posted by Jane (Fordingbridge, England) on 01/15/2015
★★★★★
For a sore throat, I have often used a vinegar and water compress pinned around my neck and covered carefully with dry towel, left on all night. Since the body is known to be electric, it is obvious that the acid in the vinegar could assist with re-establishing normality.
Vinegar, Salt, Pepper
Posted by Elizabeth (Orangeville, Canada) on 11/30/2007
★★★★★
I mix salt, black pepper and vinegar together. The salt helps to dry up phlegm, the black pepper appears to cling to lose phlegm and pulls it out and the vinegar appears to kill the germs. Mix together in a strength you can handle (you can mix in warm water if vinegar is too strong) and gargle about a half a cup for the first time then again before bed or if throat bothers you during the day. It's a very old remedy my mom used on me as a child.
Vitamin C
Posted by Lim (Singapore) on 05/26/2012
★★★★★
The simple cure that worked for me is as follows:- Just break up a Vitamin C tablet into smaller pieces and put one small piece on the tongue. Slowly suck it like a sweet. You will feel relief. Repeat that periodically when necessary. After a few times, your throat would not be painful anymore.
Vitamin C
Posted by Robert (Orlando, FL) on 11/15/2006
★★★★★
Gargle with peroxide first, then take a low dosage CHEWABLE vitamin c tablet (100 mg or 250 mg) place on tongue and leave it there until it dissolves. Don't swallow the tablet. It kept the scratchy throat from turning into a sore throat as well as an illness from coming on full blown. This works if it's caught in time, which is when one first detects a scratchy throat. I believe what it does is send vitamin c directly to the throat area killing the beginnings of an infection at its earliest stages. Another thing that can be done is to take some colloidal silver and put a drop in each nostril, especially after sneezing. The problem with it is that it's hard to verify that it actually DID stop a cold or flu since one can't prove what didn't happen. But it does work on a reliable basis.
Water
Posted by Anonymous (USA) on 04/20/2006
★★★★★
Water! It helps keep your throat moist. Keep water at your bedside for when you wake up and whenever your throat is feeling dry, drink water.
Whiskey
Posted by Kate (Toronto, Ontario) on 12/04/2008
★★★★★
The best remedy I know for sore throat is Drambuie. It's a Scottish liquer made with malt whiskey and spiced honey, and is 40%. Other similarly strong alcohols might help, but I have never tried them. Weak alcoholic drinks do NOT work.
Just one small sip always provides immediate relief for myself and all my family. If the liquid doesn't seem to touch the particular spot in your throat, I like to gargle just a little bit. I know it sounds gross, and please remember this is a liquer, so you only want a sip and not a whole mouthful.
If the sore throat comes back, two or three more sips throughout the day might be necessary. I have never had to use it more often than this.
Of course I don't think I need to mention that this isn't for kids as the taste is very strong and could upset sensitive stomachs.
Also, just a warning, that a 375ml bottle here in Canada will cost you about $25. This bottle will however last you a VERY long time. If you don't want to fork out that much, there are always small sample size bottles available too.
Honestly though, this has worked in my family for the past 20 years at least.
