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.
Cayenne
Posted by Press Gray (New Orleans, Louisiana ) on 01/17/2013
★★★★★
The cayenne pepper definitely works, I could not sleep so at 3am I found this and tried it out. It's like a miracle cure I can swallow with no problem already only 30 minutes later. No sore throat at all. I'm going to do it again in the morning before work just as a precaution.
Cayenne
Posted by Anne H. (Santa Ana, Ca) on 11/21/2012
★★★★★
I woke up with a sore throat that I believe is related to a cold I think I am starting to come down with. Caught it from my oldest daughter. I tried the cayenne pepper. I put 1/4 tsp. in a 1/2 cup of warm water. I took a swallow and gargled, and then swallowed it. It really wasn't that bad. And it feels like the pain in my throat is 1/2 as bad.
Cayenne
Posted by Cooper (Arvada, Colorado) on 07/01/2012
★☆☆☆☆
not a good idea to use this. Started getting a sore throat and heard about this remedy so I tried it. I used half a teaspoon of cayenne with two tablespoons of warm water and gargled. With how hot the cayenne was I spit it out immidiately and it left my throat burning worse then before. do not use unless you have a very high heat tolerance in your throat and mouth.
Cayenne
Posted by Anja (Jacksonville, Florida) on 07/02/2012
My family and I use cayenne for sore throat but we don't start out with a half teaspoon. We put a very small amount ( a pinch ) and increase it if it is not strong enough. It should be hot and burn especially if your throat is already sore but it wears off quickly and then your throat feels better than before, approx half hour. You repeat this every few hours for about 24 hours and you should be feeling a whole lot better. We usually don't have a need for it after that. On the flip side, I have used cayenne for pain. You just have to handle the initial heat.
Cayenne
Posted by Mia (Lyons, Ny) on 07/02/2012
If you must, start out with less. It may burn but the cure certainly works. It cured me of the worst strep throat I'd ever had. My glands were so swollen, which caused extreme neck pain, it made me want to cry. Twelve hours after the first dose was I was almost completely well. Two days after that it was completely gone never to return and it's been two years since. Definitely don't knock cayenne. It works.
Cayenne
Posted by Michael (Crested Butte, Colorado) on 09/14/2012
★★★★★
In reading this thread and seeing that people seem very surprised that cayenne pepper works for their sore throat, I can give you a solid pharmacological explanation of why that is: the chemical in hot peppers such as cayenne that makes them hot is called capsacin (spelling correct?), and believe it or not it is the main active ingredient in a great many ARTHRITIS medications. The science behind it has to do with something along the lines of causing the nerves to fire too much to a point where they finally turn off, so to speak (this is a dumbed-down and probably not wholly acurate explanation of the science, however the fact remains that Capsacin does have pain-dulling properties and this is no doubt why it works well in a gargle for sore throats). Thus although the cayenne feels hot at first, eventually the user experiences relief!
Cayenne
Posted by Tyler (Wylie, Texas) on 05/25/2012
You can get Cayenne pepper at most grocery stores - it's sold in the spice aisle. If given the choice between "mild" and "hot, " always pick the hot. In fact, get the spiciest type available. I have used ACV for about a year. It only seemed to help my BMS for about a week, although it does have a positive effect on the emotions and depression involved with BMS.
I used to suffer from very bad acne and took accutane (regret that decision). I have, basically, perfect skin now aside from freckles.
The cayenne is still working. I only have to use it about once a day now, and the degree of my BMS weakens each day. My life is great again for the first time in a year. I think many people suffering from this condition might be skeptical or think I'm crazy, but the cayenne really works wonders for me for this issue.
Again, the first day I had to take it every few hours. Now I only have to do it once per day. The cayenne has so many benefits anyway that I would use it even if I didn't have BMS - it's good for your gums and oral tissue because it stimulates blood flow to the area.
Cayenne
Posted by Rachel (Bexley, Ohio) on 12/10/2011
★★★★★
The first time I tried gargling with cayenne pepper and water was two years ago when I had the worst sore throat of my life. It was 10 days. The doctor gave me antibiotics for strep throat even though the rapid strep test came back negative because she thought that it HAD to be strep. Well, it wasn't. The antibiotics did nothing, and my sore throat went on. It was difficult to sleep, to swallow, to eat. It felt like I had an open cut in my mouth--I'm not sure how to describe it. I was up in the middle of the night and found this site. I immediately tried it, and amazingly, it was the one gargle--the one thing--that brought me any relief. I kept doing it--and trying to let the pepper water get as low in my throat as I could. I would inhale the pepper sometimes and choke and spit it all out, but I was right at the kitchen sink and bound and determined to get rid of the pain. No exaggeration--within 1 day of gargling--the pain was gone. Not diminished--but gone. Now this time around when I got a killer sore throat, the only thing I'm using to gargle is cayenne pepper. I just warm up a glass of water and add as much cayenne as it can handle. I keep swirling it around to keep it from settling. The burn goes into a tingle and into a numbing. I love it. Such relief. Yeah, cayenne pepper!!
Cayenne
Posted by Nikki (Savannah, Ga) on 05/22/2012
★★★★★
I am a 3 year in college and all of a sudden I get a sore throat and it lasted for 3or 4 days finally I couldnt take it anymore so I looked up remedies online. I was very hesitant about using the Cayenne since I am a wimp for hot food. But what I did was do 1/8 teaspoon and mug of warm water. I gargled and gargled and gargled and then would swallow bits at a time.
I did feel relief immeditely but my symptoms where not all gone but after I did it three more times periodicaly through out the day by 10pm that night throat felt good and I woke up this moring with no tightness or hard to swallow or pain in my throat
I would definitely recommend this to other people.
Cayenne
Posted by Stephanie (Orlando, Fl) on 08/21/2010
★★★★★
I have had a sore throat that felt like razor blades for the last few days and nothing helped. I found this site and the cayenne pepper recommendation and was willing to try anything... But doubted it would work. I never post, but felt I had to as this worked AMAZINGLY! I felt relief after the first gargle (6 oz very warm water/ 1/4 tsp cayenne). Repeated every 15 min to half hour for a few hours and the pain is almost totally gone. I am so happy to have found this secret recipe. Thank you!
Cayenne
Posted by Miyo (Tennessee, US) on 01/21/2015
★★★★★
I had had a chronic sore throat for about a month.. I had tried to kick it with fermented garlic ( which used to help quite a bit) and probiotics, and oregano, but had eventually gone to a conventional route and taken some antibiotics, which helped for a while. However, the sore throat crept back and I didn't want to do another round of antibiotics, so I tried gargling with cayenne ( a tsp) in a cup of warm water with salt- yes, it burned but a day and a half of this, gargling about three times total, has cured me of the sore throat.. Just want to say, thanks, Earth clinic people- you have save me another trip to the doctor!
Cayenne
Posted by Rosa (Miami, FL) on 12/26/2014
I was a little skeptical at first, but I was in such bad pain so I would try anything. So I just add cayenne pepper (powder) in a chicken broth and although it was super spicy I felt better. Good luck!
Cayenne
Posted by Ute (Albuquerque, NM) on 10/18/2014
I use cayenne pepper when I first notice a sore throat coming on. I put a little tap on a wet q tip and paint my throat with it, being careful not to get any on my tongue. So far this worked every time.
Cayenne
Posted by Wendy (Westport, Ct) on 10/01/2013
★★★★★
I started getting a sore throat yesterday afternoon and promptly looked on Earth Clinic for remedies. I couldn't believe how many people tried gargling cayenne pepper for a sore throat! Amazing. I added a few shakes of cayenne to a small amount of warm water and gargled with it. Spit it out, took a breather and gargled again. My sore throat felt better an hour after that. I did it again last night before going to bed and woke up this morning with no throat pain. YEA!
Cayenne
Posted by Sore Throat (Land Of, Oz) on 03/26/2013
★★★★★
This is almost immediate relief... I have one of the worst sore throats I have ever had. I tried tea with honey, smoothies with lots of antioxidants but the gargle with cayenne, salt and I used some raw honey. I gargled and swallowed.
Cayenne
Posted by Theresa (Valparaiso, In) on 03/04/2013
★★★★★
I've had a killer sore throat--so bad that it kept me up 2 nights back--for a few days now. Honey, hot tea, etc etc have not been working for this one this time. So here I am and found this cayenne tip. WOW! I put 1 tsp in about 8oz of warm water and IMMEDIATELY my pain was gone. It's starting to make a slight return as I expected with this severe of discomfort, but I plan on gargling for a few times every hour until this subsides.
Cayenne
Posted by Mama T (Sparks, Nv) on 05/28/2012
For years I have suffered from geographic tongue and sores on my tongue. Reactions to foods, white coating, sores that look like ringworm, cracks, and sometimes bleeding. Several years ago I started taking Enduracin, slow release niacin that is encapsulated in parafin so it won't cause the hot flashes. My husband takes it to lower his cholesterol, one before every meal. I started taking one 250mg per night as a B12 supplement. After a few weeks I noticed that my tongue was not hurting anymore! It was a healthy color and no cracks. There have been a few times when I have gone without taking it for a few days and my old symptoms return quickly. It is especially noticable if I am traveling and don't bring along my supplements and I eat out and my tongue will flare up at the restaurant making it very uncomfortable to even eat and the symtoms will last all night and cracks start to appear. I am thankful that I realized what the solution was so I can share it with you!
Cayenne
Posted by October (Berea, Oh) on 06/12/2012
★★★★★
I don't know what I have, it seems like allergies because it happens seasonal or so. It started with watery eyes and a dry scratchy throat. I took it easy and managed to keep those feelings at bay then I woke up in the middle of the night with my throat a little more scratchy & a bit sore. I got up and immediately started in on the warm salt water and I've been trying to fight it off that way. Last night I lost the battle and my throat was really bad this morning and relief lasted briefly even with hot tea.
I came here and saw this post so I tried it. I have rinsed twice now only to follow these suggestions and I feel like I will be fine at least a few hours. I will probably do it twice more this evening and try to drink as much water as possible. I know haven't had enough water and that doesn't help. Need to keep the tissues lubricated. I hope it goes away soon because I am in no mood to wait this out... Thanks for the suggestions! In the least I will settle for relief, I feel much better now : )
Cayenne
Posted by Enfinite5 (Orange County, Ca) on 05/10/2012
★★★★★
SAVED THE DAY! Wow im blown away that this worked.... My throat was KILLING ME! Hurt so bad, felt like I swallowed a cheese grater. I kept using throat lozenges but they make me feel sick and only temporally fix the problem. So I saw all the posts on here and thought I would give it a try.... I gargled and swallowed a little bit of the cayenne pepper and water through out the day and it instantly took away the pain and the next morning woke up completely better!
Cayenne
Posted by Jaime (Sunnyvale, Ca) on 03/02/2012
★★★★★
Honestly I had doubts about this but some many people recommended this that I tried it and it literally to less then a minute go the pain to go away and less the 30 minutes for me to be completely rid of my sore throat. thank you all for this remedy.
Cayenne
Posted by Saskia (..., New York ) on 02/10/2012
★★★★★
I tried this concotion immediatly, warming up some water and getting out a little shaker of cayenne. At first when I tried it, it didn't work at all. I thought that I was just one of the few with bad luck. But after it didn't work just gargling it, I decided to just add a little honey to the water and pepper mix and just sip it. It still didn't seem to work. Then I coughed and realized, "Hey! That doesn't hurt!" Already my throat is feeling better and I've only been sipping for an half an hour or so. I definitely recommed this to anyone with a sore throat, It works great!
Cayenne
Posted by Jufycoop (Mahwah, Nj, Usa) on 12/24/2011
★★★★★
I had sinus surgery 5 days ago and woke up from recovery with severe throat trauma from the intubation. My uvula was swollen to 4 times it's normal size, was covered with a white film, and the back of my throat felt like it had been sliced with razors. The sore throat pain has been so bad I could not eat, drink or even swallow saliva without tears. When I went to my first post- op visit yesterday, the Dr said the trauma will heal on its own and there was nothing that could be done. I found this website and believed from the other posts that the cayenne gargle could work for me. I tried 1/4 t cayenne, 1/4 t salt, a little honey and warm water and gargled 6 times over a half hour. The pain subsided enough for me to eat small salad!! I just gargled again 2 times and looked at the uvula, which is shrinking! Thank you everyone for your posts.
Cayenne
Posted by Clorenita (Washington, Nj) on 12/22/2011
★★★★★
I have a bad strep throat, already on antibiotics but still wasnt able to eat. It was painful until I found this remedy on this site. I warm water in a coffe cup and added a tsb of the cayenne pepper. Half an hour later I was able to eat my lunch!!!
Cayenne
Posted by Macadi (Memphis, Tn) on 12/20/2011
★★★★★
Wow, I gargled with just plain cayenne pepper and I could feel the burn in my throat and all the way up to my eardrums, I think! Felt good like I was burning out some really bad germs! I refused to rinse anything except my tongue. I feel a lot better already and am going to do it again before I go to bed. History: had this sore throat and post nasal drip for 2 weeks now (plus really bad cold/virus symptoms on top of it). Not strep.
Cayenne
Posted by Brian (Totowa, Nj) on 12/21/2011
★★★★★
Tried the Cayenne and warm water gargle this morning and it was great. It's hot on the tongue but it goes away, thanks for the tip.
Cayenne
Posted by Molly (Fort Lauderdale, Fl) on 12/15/2011
★★★★★
I am a singer, and after a four hour rehearsal last night I woke at 1:30 in the morning with an excruciatingly sore throat. It felt like there was broken glass in there, and I could barely swallow my own saliva. In desperation (because I have another rehearsal tonight! ), I found this site and ran down to the kitchen to try it. After gargling a cup of warm water with 1 tsp. Cayenne and 1/2 tsp. Sea salt, I felt so much better I went back to sleep. When I woke up a few hours later, my sore throat was 85% gone so I gargled again, and it's pretty much entirely gone now. I'm going to gargle with cayenne water after every strenuous rehearsal from now on! Thanks so much!
Cayenne
Posted by Miki (Laporte, Indiana) on 11/26/2011
★★★★★
One and a half hours ago. My husband read on your site about cayenne for sore throat. I was desperate for relief. I have used 2 teaspoon of cayenne to a cup of water every 15 minutes wow I am about 90% better already. Thanks to all who submitted this.
Cayenne
Posted by Heather (Dallas, Tx) on 02/14/2015
★☆☆☆☆
I had already tried the honey with cayenne and that did not give me any comfort. I did the cayenne ( 1 tsp) in 1 8oz cup of warm/hot water and gargled what I could stand ( it was pretty hot and I am usually not bothered by spicy things). Anyways, the burning on the tongue and lips is pretty intense for about 10 minutes. It did NOT burn my throat, only the hot water did, but not the cayenne. It has been about 15 minutes since I gargled and there is no relief. I still feel the same amount of discomfort that I felt before but now with a burn from the cayenne at the back of my throat and on my lips.
