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.
Kathleen (Stafford, CT) on 02/14/2007:
I WILL LET YOU ALL KNOW SHORTLY. I'VE HAD A TEAR-JERKING, EXCRUTIATINGLY PAINFUL SEVERE SORE THROAT. NEVER IN MY LIFE HAVE I HAD SUCH PHYSICAL PAIN BEFORE INCLUDING KIDNEY STONES AND CHILDBIRTH! I HAVE PACKED MY NECK IN ICE ONE MINUTE, AND HOT THE NEXT...NOTHING WORKS. I'M TRYING THE CAYENNE RIGHT NOW! PLEASE DEAR GOD LET IT WORK FOR ME BEFORE I KILL MYSELF TO END THIS PAIN.
A minute later, she writes again: "CAYENNE PEPPER. OKAY,I JUST TRIED IT AND GARGLED MAYBE 3 TIMES IN A ROW. BURNED LIKE THE DICKENS, MAYBE I PUT TOO MUCH CAYENNE, BUT STRANGELY ENOUGH, FOR THE FIRST TIME IN DAYS, MY THROAT FEELS A BIT BETTER. I AM GOING TO CONTINUE THIS THROUGHOUT THE NIGHT BECAUSE I ACTUALLY THINK THERE'S AN END TO THIS PAIN. THANK GOD FOR MY COMPUTER AND FOR YOU PEOPLE WITH THIS IDEA! THANKS SO MUCH AGAIN! I DON'T HAVE INSURANCE AND REALLY DIDN'T WANT TO GO TO THE ER, BUT WAS SERIOUSLY THINKING ABOUT IT TO MAKE IT STOP. LOVE YA ALL
After only one coffee cup filled with water and cayenne pepper, my sore throat pain had decreased by 25-40%. I'm gonna try again in the morning, but for now, it's back to bed. I stumbled upon this remedy at 3:30 AM, after waking up due to severe pain. Now I can actually get back to bed! Thanks, Penny!
After waking up achy and light-headed with flu/cold symptoms, and having it stick for three days I was scrambling around the internet trying to find something to kill the virus off (whatever it was) so that I could go back to work. First I tried the cayenne pepper for my sore throat - miraculous, went away immediately and as of today (day 6) has not come back. I've been taking the ACV once a day and do feel better but I'm not sure if the virus is just running its course or whether the ACV is helping. Then I tried peroxide in the ears - quite uncomfortable but my body aches were gone by the next morning and haven't returned. So I'd give a thumbs up to the peroxide and cayenne for sure.
I have had a sore throat for three days now, the most painful one I have ever experienced. I was actually in PAIN each time I tried to swallow. I read this website and sent the kids to the store to buy some. I mixed the water and cayenne and so far have gargled three times and it feels a little better, I'll check back tomorrow.
This is about the cayanne pepper for sore throats. You people are crazy!!! I tried it as recommended (1 tsp in 4 oz of water) and it was soooooo hot I nearly gagged! I diluted it about 10 fold and managed to gargle it but it made me cough so much I actually threw up once! What is going on? So many people said it was good.
I just tried the Cayenne Powder in warm water... my throat has been hurting so bad it hurts to swallow... I put 1 teaspoon of pepper in a coffee cup of warm water and gargled till it was all gone... I took a BC powder to break the fever... 2 hours later i am feeling great... thank you for posting this site
I've had tonsillitis for the last 2 1/2 weeks. Antibiotics took the pus away, but the pain stayed and was severe. I've barely been able to eat or drink, and my throat has been very raw. I've tried salt water, vitamin C, antibiotics, and anything else I came across. Nothing helped. I came across this site and decided to try the cayenne pepper with warm water. I didn't think there was any way it would actually work, but I figured I had nothing to lose. I gargled every 15 minutes for 45 minutes. I still had a sore throat after the 3rd time, but my daughter woke up from her nap and I had to get her. I noticed about 30 minutes later that my sore throat was gone. I cannot believe it actually worked! I just wish I would have found this sooner. I am so grateful for finding this site.
Cayenne Pepper Remedy for sore throat has worked wonders for me, too! I've been ill with a sore throat since Dec. 20th, and on Jan. 12th, began my THIRD round of antibiotics (different from the first two)and by Jan 24 was still NO better; on that day, I found this site & tried the CAYENNE PEPPER GARGLE--1 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper in 4 oz. of water, gargled with it several times a day. Immediately the pain subsided, and the mucous coating my throat & vocal chords began to loosen. Mixed another glass for that night, repeating the gargling. Today, my throat is MUCH better, and I am no longer hoarse. Gargled again today, will continue for a few more days and now will be able to have my karaoke party Sat. night and sing after all! THIS IS THE GREATEST SORE THROAT CURE I'VE EVER TRIED & I recommend it to everyone! Never will I be without cayenne pepper! Thanks to everyone who gave their feedback, and to this site.
Cayenne Pepper remedy healed my sore tonsils immediately. My mouth is hot, but it is well worth it. I heated up water as hot as i could stand it, put 5 dashes of red pepper in and gargled it. My sore tonsils were cured.
I have been on a home remedy health kick lately. I woke up at 3 a.m. and could feel a sore throat coming on. So I found this site and utilized the information for a sore throat remedy. I always keep cayenne pepper in the house due to ulcers. I mixed a cup of water and a teaspoon of cayenne pepper. Heated it up in the microwave for 1 minute then let it set for 5 minutes for brewing time. Then, as others have done, I gargled with it one mouth full at a time. You will need to keep stirring it since the cayenne will try to settle at the bottom. I would truly hate for anyone to experience a mouthful of just cayenne pepper. This also started the process of sinus drainage. I will post another blog on what I did for the sinus issue. I just wanted to thank everyone for their input. It has saved me a trip to the doctor's office. Thanks..
Cayenne Pepper really helped my sore throat. I didn't know if it would or not but it really did. I used about a teaspoon of Cayenne pepper and microwaved some water for 1 min. and gargled. My lips were on fire for a little bite nothing a couple of ice cubes couldn't help. I will try this in the future. Thanks
I have had a severe sore throat since January 6, 2007. On the 8th of January it was so bad, my Husband took me into the emergency room. They did a strep and mono, but was negative. The doctor gave me some antibiotics and pain killers. She said if it is a bacterial, the antibiotics will clear it up. If it is viral, I will just have to let it run it's course. Both she and my Husband said it's common - on the east coast, to get a severe sore throat before getting terrible sick with what feels like the flu. I am originally from Chicago and never seemed to get colds, flu's sore throats, etc. Today I finally finished my antibiotics and sadly, after $168 spent on them, they didn't work. I shy away from taking pain killers because I don't like the "stoned" feeling. Today, at 5:33pm EST I put 1 tsp of Cayenne Pepper into 4oz's of water and although it was hot, my throat is feeling pretty damn good. It's not completely better, but I'm sure with a little more time, I'll be back to my healthy self. Which is a must, I have a 6 month old little gas monster. Since Cayenne seems to be working, maybe I can find something for gassy or as our doctor calls it "colicky" baby. Enjoy the Cayenne Pepper and the New Year everyone. :)
Bradley (Kitchenere, Ontario Canada) on 01/24/2007:
I have been dealing with a sore throat for about a month and half now. the clinic wouldn't seem to help me and thought it was just allergies. I figured this remedy was too good to be true. Thanks for proving me wrong! I mixed in a little lemon tea to help with the taste, which isn't actually that bad. THANK YOU SO MUCH
Went to Disney World last week and feel that I caught a bug on the airplane ride back to Charlotte. Woke up Sunday morning, aching all over and with a sore throat. Stayed on the couch all day and as the day wore on, the sore throat got worse to the point that it was feeling like I couldn't breathe. No better Monday so I called the Dr's office and tried to get an appointment. Couldn't see me until Tuesday at 10:00am. They told me I had a viral infection and that there was not a whole lot they could give me for it. Told me to get some Mucinex and gave me a prescription for some nasal spray. No sleep since Saturday night. Found this site at 5:00am this morning and thought I had nothing to lose. Have gargled three times and swallowed some the last time. Can notice a marked improvement already. Thanks for sharing. The cayenne pepper seems to work!
A week ago I felt a cold coming on and sure enough, I had a sore throat by Monday. Did my usual routine of Claritin, Jamba Juice Coldbuster, salt water gargle, and even Sudafed Cough and Cold. Those OTC remedies helped, but I wanted to annihilate the symptoms before it got worse. I searched on-line for home remedies and tried a couple -- even gargling with Coke. Saw this site, and figured, what the heck. Friday night, gargled with cayenne pepper, vinegar, honey and warm water. It worked and I was ecstatic! Gargled one more time with cayenne and hot water before bed. Got the best sleep ever in that whole week! Searched the site for other remedies for my cough and that worked too. Never going to buy OTC drugs for my cold again! Thanks so much.
I too, like many of the respondents, was a last ditch effort. 2 negative strep tests, vicadin for pain relief that didn't work, salt water, cough drops etc.etc.etc. Thank god I found this web site. My sore throat vanished almost immediately. I could finally swallow without grabbing at my throat! I wasn't brave enough to swallow it, but gargled 1 teaspoon in 4oz. warm water and felt so much better. I am off to take a nap. Thank you!!!
This has got to be the most amazing cure and instant pain remedy I've ever used. I just spent the last few days without sleep and completely losing my voice until stumbling across this website. Within hours it felt better, not perfect, but within 1 night of a decent amount of sleep the next day I feel great and I have no sore throat. I used about a teaspoon of C pepper in about 4 oz of water and gargled & drank it all night long and so far all day long. no more pain (just congestion).
People! my bf was in bed for 4 days sick to death with a bad sore throat. he did the gargling for 3 hrs. the third time he gargled the pepper with water he was totally recovered ! its freaking amazing ! now i m the biggest fan of this website Thanks everyone !
Re: Red Pepper for sore throats: I went to bed early Friday But barely slept, my throat was so inflamed. Saturday I called my doctor,who has no hours but called a prescription of antibiotics to the pharmacy. While waiting for my hubby to get back with the meds I clear out the sinus with my usual saline rinse then gargled with some more warm salt water . My throat was bleeding. I NEEDED something for this NOW. To kill time I googled home remedies. It was So OUTRAGEOUS maybe it would help. DID IT EVER ! ! Within 20 minutes my throat was feeling improved. Gargled every visit to the bathroom ..... and not going to buy chloroseptic spray again. Today (Monday) I'm at work telling EVERYONE about this remedy.
I had been battling a sore throat for two days (Thursday and Friday). On Friday, I decided to research some home remedies for a sore throat online and I came across the cayenne pepper suggestion. Since I knew I had some of this at home, I thought I would give it a try. Reading the other testimonials also sold me. I gargled using a 4 ounce glass of warm water and cayenne pepper (I used 1/4 teaspoon). I actually went to lie down about 9:00 P.M. I got up about midnight, my throat felt a little better but I decided to gargle again. By the time I woke up this morning, about 9:00 A.M., my sore throat was gone! This really does work.
I was doubtful when I read the "cure". However, the sore throat started the day before our anniversary and I didn't want to miss our big day. And the throat was getting more sore as the hours went by. Thought what the heck do I have to lose .... I am very happy to say that it would beautifully. I gargled on and off for several hours before I went to bed. Got up the next morning and the sore throat was gone!!
It really works !I have been outside all day . I noticed my throat was hurting a little. I saw the web site ,so I tried the cheyenne about one teaspoon with warm water. It was hard to do, but now for the time my throat doesn't hurt, Thank you!
I too tried the cayenne cocktail and too my surprise i felt much better the next morning, the cayenne tasted kind of eh! so i went ahead and drank the 1/2 teaspoon with warm water and today i went ahead and added more about a 1 1/2 tablespoon to a little bit of shrimp broth and am slowly sipping it....................thanks Nature is so wonderful --Keep Up The Good work!!!! I encourage all those that have all those family home remedies to keep sharing God Bless And To All A Great And Healthy New Year.......
If I ever get an infection, it is ALWAYS in my throat. My glands swell up, I can't swallow, the pain makes me utterly miserable. However, a search on google showed up this site and I am so glad I tried it. I started at 8 am, it is now 10.30amand having gargled about half a teaspoon in a glass of water every 15 minutes, the pain has definitely diminished and my glands feel smaller. Fantastic. Thank you.
I'm a 17 year old from California, and my entire family has been coming down with some pretty nasty sickness. My grandfather owns a family run business, so when one uncle got it, so did my grandfather, my dad, and everyone else that works there. They all got sore throats the first few days which led to just generic sickness. Stomach feels bad, coughing, dizziness. I had so far been free of the plague until yesterday night when my throat began feeling sore. I knew what was coming but ignored it until the morning. This morning I woke up with terrible pain in my throat, it felt swollen, and it hurt to swallow. I immediately jumped on google for sore throat cures and your remedy came up. It worked perfectly after 4 gargles over about an hour. I just took a small cup and lined the bottom with cayenne and filled the rest with warm water, gargling as long as I could then swallowing a little bit afterwards. After the first time I felt significantly better, and my throat was only a little raw, but after the 2nd time it went away completely! I did it a couple more times for good measure and I'm now doing it periodically just to be sure it doesn't come back. What a great cure!!! Although I still feel semi-sick I no longer have a sore throat which was the worst of it. I'll recommend this cure, and this site, to everyone.
Wow! That cayenne pepper thing really works. I've gargled three times this morning and already there is a marked improvement in my throat and I'm not coughing as much. I must give a WARNING though...I didn't know the quantities to start with so used a teaspoon full in one mug of water and it damn nearly blew my head off!!! A quarter of a teaspoon is quite enough! Good stuff though.
Hi, i must say that i am astounded at the effectiveness of this concoction.i have been suffering from a very very sore throat since yesterday, i was awake all last night because of the pain .this morning i was so fed up of taking painkillers that i went to the gp very very early 9.30 hoping to see a doctor and a magical cure. AS usual i was greeted by a very scary looking receptionist with a big patronizing smile who said "no more appointments left for today unfortunately you'll have to come back tomorrow"in a tone of voice you would have to be crazy to challenge.so i just shook my head in agreement vigorously and made hasty return to my flat back to my misery.Then all of a sudden i thought why not google it? And i came upon this cure. GUESS WHAT? it really really works .i was afraid to try it at first obviously i mean a chili dissolved in water gargle on a sore throat? That sounded so crazy that i was throwing insults at the computer for being insensitive and stupid. Then after searching and suffering and only finding the only other usual alternatives like water and salt or lemon and water i decided to give it a try .i mean at that point i had nothing to lose i was already on my death bed. so i got a glass of warm water and mixed a teaspoon of chili in it and gargled with that every 15 mins until it finished .that was around 12oclock today its now about four in the afternoon i have just had a nice meal-trust me that's a big accomplishment after nearly two days of not being able to swallow anything. I've looked in the mirror as well at my throat, it was looking very very red this morning with thick white coatings of pus. now its nearly returned back to its pinkish purplish hue and the white stuff is less as well so this gargle gets an absolute 10/10 from me
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