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Sore Throat - Editor's Choice

| Modified on Jun 13, 2025
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Effective sore throat remedies

Experiencing a sore throat can significantly impact everyday tasks like eating and talking. To alleviate this discomfort, various natural remedies offer both effective and immediate relief. Common treatments such as cayenne pepper, salt water, hydrogen peroxide, garlic, and vitamin C are often readily available in your home, allowing for quick initiation of sore throat treatment.

Sore throats are typically divided into acute and chronic categories. Acute sore throats are usually caused by viral or bacterial infections and may indicate illnesses such as the flu, mononucleosis, strep throat, or the common cold. Chronic sore throats, on the other hand, may result from continuous exposure to poor air quality, environmental allergens, or ongoing health conditions. For optimal relief, it is crucial to select a remedy that aligns with your sore throat's specific cause and nature.

10 Top Home Remedies for a Sore Throat

Sore throat remedies typically address one or more of the following:

  1. Gargling to alleviate pain and combat infection.
  2. Utilizing natural solutions to counteract infection and bolster the immune system.
  3. Removing irritants that exacerbate the throat condition.

Cayenne Pepper

Recognized as one of the top remedies on Earth Clinic, cayenne pepper is more than just a spice; it's a healing powerhouse. Packed with a substantial dose of capsaicin, this compound is a natural anti-inflammatory and antibacterial agent. Using cayenne for a sore throat reduces tissue swelling and addresses the root cause—the infection. For a step-by-step guide on how to use it, click here.

Don't miss our engaging and informative video on how cayenne can be your throat's best friend. Watch it below!

Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar is a versatile remedy. Whether diluted for a gargle, blended into a warm tea, or mixed with water, it works wonders in combating infections and alkalizing the body. This easy remedy is effective for infection-induced sore throats and those triggered by allergies. Consider apple cider vinegar your trusty tool in the fight against throat discomfort.

Salt Water

There is a reason your great-grandmother used warm salt water for a sore throat—it works! The salt kills the infection, and the warm, salty water soothes the sore throat.

Pickle Juice

Pickle juice is a hassle-free remedy for sore throats. To use it, pour an ounce into a cup and gargle. This nifty solution combines the benefits of vinegar and salt, making it straightforward yet effective.

Hydrogen Peroxide

Gargling with hydrogen peroxide diluted with water can help combat throat infections. However, it must be appropriately diluted to avoid adverse effects.

Colloidal Silver

For those who find the flavor of many gargle remedies off-putting, colloidal silver offers a nearly tasteless alternative. Not only is it palate-friendly, but it's also a potent ally against viruses and bacteria, effectively treating sore throats.

Hot Tea

A warm mug of tea comforts a sore throat and ensures the body stays hydrated. Various teas, such as black, herbal, and vinegar, offer therapeutic benefits. To enhance the taste, consider sweetening your tea with honey, stevia, or organic sugar. For optimal health benefits, avoid artificial sweeteners.

Honey

Honey is renowned for its antiviral and antibacterial qualities. It is versatile: You can stir it into tea, spread it on toast, or savor it straight from the spoon. For maximum benefit, let the honey glide down and gently coat your throat. Opting for raw and locally sourced honey can be particularly effective in alleviating all types of sore throats, including those triggered by allergies.

Garlic

Raw garlic is a formidable defender against infections, proving effective even against strep throat.

To harness its full potential, mince a clove and let it rest for about 15 minutes, allowing its key compound, allicin, to activate. Pair this potent mince with honey, tea, soup, or toast. For optimal results, consume a clove of garlic 3-4 times daily. Beyond immediate relief, garlic also fortifies the immune system.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C is a pillar of support for your immune system, aiding in combating infections and allergies. When unwell, your body's requirement for vitamin C surges. It's not rare for individuals to consume between 5,000 – 10,000 mg of vitamin C daily during active infections. However, pay attention to your body's signals: if you start to experience loose stools, it might indicate reaching your vitamin C threshold. If this happens, slightly reduce your intake.

Holistic Healing Tips

Beyond gargles and natural antibiotics, prioritizing rest is crucial for recovery. Opt for light, nutritious meals and steer clear of dairy products, which might escalate mucus production. Keeping a vaporizer on during the night can ensure your throat remains hydrated. Additionally, consider indulging in a warm bath, which offers both therapeutic benefits through the skin and relaxation for the entire body.

Dive deeper below to discover a treasure trove of sore throat remedies shared by Earth Clinic readers over the years. Please let us know how these treatments worked for you!

Related Links:

Hydrogen Peroxide - an Excellent Sore Throat Remedy
Pickle Juice for a Sore Throat
Soothe Your Sore Throat Naturally with Cayenne Pepper
Tabasco Sauce - A Spicy Sore Throat Remedy
The Healing Power of a Salt Water Gargle for Sore Throat Relief

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.
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Goldenseal

Posted by Neva (ME) on 07/12/2021
 ★★★★★

Editor's Choice

I use Goldenseal when I have a sore throat. My grandmother used to get it in powder. She would put a tiny bit into the end of a straw and blow it down my throat.

I use it differently. I take a Golden Seal Capsule, open it up, put it into a cup of boiling water and let it steep for ten minutes. I then pour it through a coffee filter and put it into a bottle with a dropper, and then use a dropper full down my throat.

I warn you that it tastes really bad, but it has always worked for me. You can also use this solution on a bad tooth. It will get rid of the infection.

One really important warning. If you are taking other medications, Golden Seal will rid your body of them, so don't use it if you are on heart medication or other life-giving medication.

Cayenne

Posted by Carrie (Charleston, Sc) on 06/21/2018
 ★★★★★

Editor's Choice

I woke up in the middle of the night itchy, hot, generally uncomfortable and unable to sleep with a sore throat/cold I caught from my twin nieces (they were real cute though). First I took a hot shower for the steam. I had tried the cayenne remedy before but completely forgot (or blocked it out) until my boyfriend reminded me. I followed the instructions in your video pretty closely and did 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper in maybe 4 oz of warm water. I gargled the whole thing in separate gulps for 10 seconds each til it was gone. The great thing about this remedy is that the effect is tri-fold:

1) the (mild) discomfort of gargling cayenne water kind of makes you forget about the sore throat in the first place;

2) it relieves the soreness once you regain feeling in your throat; and

3) it completely clears out your sinuses (had to blow my nose several times and hocked up junk from my throat).

Two enthusiastic thumbs up.

Cayenne
Posted by Nateinmpls (Minneapolis, Minnesota) on 07/06/2015
 ★★★★★

Editor's Choice

Cayenne works! My local co-op has some really hot stuff, with a much higher scoville rating than regular cayenne. At first I gargled by drinking out of a glass however my mouth was on fire! I then thought of this trick: Get a drinking straw and suck up some of the cayenne water, then use your finger to plug the end you drink from, creating a vacuum. The water stays in the straw and you can tilt your head back and bypass your tongue! It worked great and the cayenne has already helped my throat after 15 minutes. I used a little water at a time and swallowed afterward.

Cayenne
Posted by Abbadackerygirl (Alabama, US) on 02/05/2015
 ★★★★★

Editor's Choice

This is a true account on my part: I had been battling a particularly bad case of strep throat with antibiotics and motrin 'round the clock. I had read that cayenne can help strep, but I was skeptical so I didn't even try it.

After a week of continuing to feel miserable, I forced myself out of bed to go with my family out to eat at a restaurant, and for some reason, the vegetable soup sounded like the only thing I wanted. I had never eaten at this restaurant before, so little did I know that the soup was SPICY! I usually don't eat spicy things, but I forced myself to eat the soup...then something magical happened. With each painful bite, I could actually feel my strength returning. As I continued to eat the warm broth, my aches and pains subsided, and I felt better and better...way better than I had in a week! Why was this soup making me feel so good, I wondered? Then I remembered the suggestion to use cayenne pepper...and I wondered if the chef used it to spice up the soup. He insisted that he didn't, instead he used a hot sauce...a lot of it, lol. I asked if I could read what was on the bottle, so he ran to the back and grabbed it for me to read. When I looked at it, low and behold, the first ingredient was...cayenne pepper.

I was sold. This wasn't a case of the placebo effect, as all I wanted to do was eat. I didn't think that this soup would cure me when I ordered it, but in the end, it helped so much that I ended up naming it, the Magic Feel-Better Soup. Ha ha...I wonder if they changed the name after I called it that, but I haven't been back to check.

Cloves

Posted by Penny (USA) on 02/01/2006
 ★★★★★

Editor's Choice

Whole cloves cure and numb sore throats. I carry cloves everywhere I go. At first sign of a sore throat, I place one or two between my cheek and teeth after crunching them just a little bit. This numbs the throat and kills the germs that cause the problem. If I awaken at night, even one clove can save me from a sore throat coming on, if I place it in my mouth in this manner. I had to tell my family, 'No, it does not stain my teeth. No, I never choke on it, and yes, I do sleep on my back, etc.'


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