Salt Water Gargle for Sore Throat

5 star (27) 
  66%
4 star (3) 
  7%
1 star (11) 
  27%

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.

Rob (Kentucky) on 11/07/2024:
5 out of 5 stars

Hot Water Compress/Gargle Hot Salt Water for Sore Throat. –

From the Book: The Household Monitor of Health, p. 210-211, by J.H. Kellogg, MD. 1891

There are many remedies for sore throat, some of which are harmless, being simply worthless, —like goose-oil applied externally, while others are quite injurious. The remedy used by the Germans and many sensible Americans, is the best, hot water. It should be applied outside and inside; outside by means of flannels wrung out of water as hot as can be borne, applied to the throat and well covered, twice a day, for fifteen minutes or half an hour. Gargle hot salt water, as hot as can be borne, every fifteen minutes or half hour until relieved. Drink plenty of hot water, so as to get into a profuse perspiration . If there is fever, cool the skin with sponge-baths. Keep the feet warm. If there are symptoms of diphtheria (A sore throat, fever, hoarseness, difficulty swallowing, and a barking cough), apply ice in a bag to the outside of the neck, and give the patient little pieces of ice to swallow. Lemon juice applied to the pharynx with a swab or as a gargle is sometimes a good remedy. A few hours of this treatment will effect a cure in simple cases.

 View Entire Thread

REPLY   4      

Unknown User (Land Of The Free!, Idaho United States) on 11/23/2012:
1 out of 5 stars

It did not work at all! It worked for like 10 minutes and afterwards I felt like crap.... It makes your throat dry and miserable. I highly don't recommend it.
REPLY   5      

Roberto (Newport, Tennessee) on 10/17/2012:
1 out of 5 stars

This remedy is a complete joke, I have been sick for a day now and have fought off all other symptoms except a sore throat..... I tried this remedy and immediately felt a burning in my throat that was worse than before!!!!!!!

 View Entire Thread

REPLY   4      



Ellenah1 (Stafford, Va) on 09/10/2012:
1 out of 5 stars

I gargled a whole cup of this stuff but it only worked for like 30 seconds. It didn't taste all to great afterwards either.

 View Entire Thread

REPLY   5      

Paloomi (Odek, Uganda) on 07/04/2012:
4 out of 5 stars

It helped, but not 100%.

 View Entire Thread

REPLY   5      

G (Jacksonville, Fl) on 12/29/2011:
1 out of 5 stars

Salt water garggle does not work. It provides slight relief for a few minutes. It is also unpleasant. I suggest ginger and honey tea instead.

 View Entire Thread

REPLY   5      

Ladywisdom (Miami, Fl) on 10/03/2011:
5 out of 5 stars

I almost can swear by this old remedy: when a sore throat appears, gargle with warm water, salt and lemon/lime juice (acv will do too). It should be gone by the end of your gargle. For variety, add a tsp. of honey

 View Entire Thread

REPLY   4      

Littleleto (Tampa, Florida) on 08/05/2011:
5 out of 5 stars

Oh my GOD!!!! I had a sore throat last night. ( just a small one! ) I looked at this site and saw things that help. I used listerine and gargled it. Then I got warm saltwater and swallowed it instead. It works better when you swallow it! It worked amaizingly its almost gone. Later in the morning im gonna take a warm shower. And thank you soooo much for the tips!!!!
REPLY   6      



Adam (Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada) on 06/24/2011:
4 out of 5 stars

I just recovered from an overnight flu and I am only 13 and got a really sore throat. I read some of the remedies on this site and I saw a bunce of combinations of salt and vinegar, since I had no vinegar, I took half a cup of warm water put a good amount of salt in it and gargled about 3 times.

Before I tried this remidee whenever I swalowed I felt an enormous amount of pain in the back of my throat, and after gargling my throat still hurts a bit, but still hurts way less than before, I will keep doing this about once an hr and maybe get some vinegar, just one question, do I swallow the substances or spit them out after gargling?

Thank You

REPLY   5      

Peter (Boston, Massachusetts) on 06/08/2011:
1 out of 5 stars

It did not help my soar throat at all and it actually made it worse I feel like shit now.

 View Entire Thread

REPLY   4      

Elaine (Key Largo, Fl/united States) on 11/12/2010:
1 out of 5 stars

I am sorry to say this but.... It doesn't work..... It dries up your throat, it hurts still, and it makes your mouth super super dry..... :(

 View Entire Thread

REPLY   4      

Maverick (Lafarge, Wisconson Usa) on 08/03/2010:
5 out of 5 stars

Hey thanx Chuck going to the Wisconsin dells tomorrow and I think you might have saved me.
REPLY   5      

Chuck (Uxbridge, Ontario, Canada) on 03/10/2010:
5 out of 5 stars

Simple: im going to Europe for 10 days tomorrow and i came home today with a sore throat, major bummer. Anyways, i typed in "sore throat remedies" and was brought to the attention of this site. I scrolled down to the salt and water one, and am now on the road to recovery. All it took was 2 cups of water and 3 tspns. of salt. PRAISE SALT!
REPLY   5      



Hisham (Isa Town, Bahrai) on 11/09/2009:
4 out of 5 stars

Woooh! The salt gurgle treatment is great. It has taken away most of the pain but i am goin to keep repeating the treatment until it has tottally gone.THANK U SALT!!!

 View Entire Thread

REPLY   5      

Christian (Toledo, Ohio) on 07/06/2009:
5 out of 5 stars

Its 10:25 here in Ohio, and im home alone. having a sore throut kills but the salt water remedy works!!!
REPLY   5      

Gianna (Discovery Bay, California) on 03/13/2009:
5 out of 5 stars

I have been feeling sick for the past few days, buy as usual mom made me go to school for finals. I hadnt been getting much rest and the pain was getting worse, i needed help. i had to go to school, so i knew i needed an easy way to get relief. I tried gargling salt water, but didnt last too long as i had hoped. so the next morning i put salt in a warm water bottle and every time my throat would hurt i would go to the bathroom and gargle.suprisingly it worked!i made it through finals and eventually started feeling better and better:)
REPLY   5      

Rosa (Chicago, Il) on 02/18/2009:
5 out of 5 stars

warm salt water for relief of sore throat; I was looking for a desparate cure for a severe sore throat late at nignt w/o having to use meds and this remedy helped immediatly. I used 2cups warm water with 3tspns salt and gargaled with it, the results helped the swelling go down immediatly and helped me sleep asap. when I woke up I repeated the treatment and the results improved drasticly. It will take a few times to completely get rid of the sore throat.
REPLY   3      

Chloe (Baltimore, MD) on 02/07/2009:
5 out of 5 stars

Dear Friends,

Its about 8:15 here in Baltimore and a freezing cold morning. I was trying to get some more rest to hoping this was just temporary. Well, as it turns out, I actually have a severe sinus infection and the flu, I logged on to Google and typed 'Remedies for Sore Throats.' I clicked on the link to this website and scrolled through the options, where I decided to try this one. 1 word - YEA! I mixed about half a teaspoon of salt and warm water into a mug and gargled, it instantly soothed my throat and took pain and itchiness away. Let's get well together.

REPLY   4      



Craig (St. Louis, Missouri) on 01/06/2009:
5 out of 5 stars

learned this method from grandma and have used it in the states as well as overseas as a medic and all my troops/patients said it worked great, lol usein it right now. i dump as much salt as u can take and use warm water if available.

 View Entire Thread

REPLY   4      

Sara (Jacsonville, Florida USA) on 11/30/2008:
1 out of 5 stars

the salt and water so works.......wrong! it hurt my throat even worst.
REPLY   4      

Moe Fizpatrick (Newbury, VT USA) on 10/02/2008:
5 out of 5 stars

For my sore throat, i tried gurgling saltwater. I have been using this trick since i was a little kid. It's never failed me, just like may Dad used to say. It does kinda taste bad after, but it goes away really fast. Hope i helped!
REPLY   4      

Samantha (Edmonton, Canada) on 09/12/2008:
5 out of 5 stars

yea thanks alot it really helped me i always used to gargle warm salty water but never tried putting vinegar in it!! thanks so much.

 View Entire Thread

REPLY   4      

Kaila (Springdale, Arkansas) on 07/13/2008:
5 out of 5 stars

Welll i try salt and vinigar with hot water to gurgle. It might taste odd but it helps alot. Use five teaspoons of salt and a half cup a vinigar. but it does not mater how much water you use! Hope it helps!
REPLY   4      



David (Dallas, Texas) on 05/27/2008:
5 out of 5 stars

Sore Throat Remedy Feedback: YEA this works. The saline solution numbs the pharnyx, leaving you with no pain at all! This is byfar an extremly well remedy!
REPLY   4      

Carla (Cork, Ireland) on 05/12/2008:
5 out of 5 stars

its a well know fact that the most basic remedies work the best and salt and water is no exception salt is know for its anti-septic properties, and, although it may not cause instant pain relief, it will remove the harmful bacteria causing the sore throat. just mix 2 teaspoons of salt with a mug of warm-hot water (the warm water willl help sterilse the surface of the throat) gargle 2-3 times a day and within a day or so your sore throat will dissapear! this is an ideal subsitute for anti-biotics and other harsh treatments. hope you feel better!!
REPLY   4      

Rin (Camas, WA) on 12/23/2007:
5 out of 5 stars

My daughter has a bad case of mono. Her tonsils were so swollen they were touching her uvula and she couldn't swallow any pain meds. We were having her gargle with a salt rinse, with no real relief. We called my inlaws and they suggested rinsing with a tsp of bs in lukewarm water followed by the salt rinse every two hours. Amazing! My daughter's tonsils are a little less swollen and it took the pain away for her to sleep for a lot longer last night. I found your site this morning when I was researching bs rinses. The doctor's we saw never even suggested it.
REPLY   4      

Bob (Timnbuktu, Timnbuktan) on 11/17/2007:
5 out of 5 stars

Salt water and Sodium Bicarbonate Gargle the best sore throat cure -- Ingredients: Half a teaspoon of sodium bicarbonate and a teaspoon of salt. Mix: Place bicarb and salt into mug. Add apx two tablespoons of boiling hot water (a quater a cup). The temperature actiates the bicarb and salt and it bubbles furiously for a few seconds. Add cool water until temperature is warm/hot cool enough to gargle -and gargle it until all gone. The bicarb helps break down the mucous and permits the salt to do its job
REPLY   3      

Beth (Clearfield, PA) on 08/16/2007:
5 out of 5 stars

I really enjoy this site and have tried some of the suggestions with much success. I have been ready about the Cayenne Pepper for a sore throat. I can't even imagine how that must feel. I am not a fan of spicy hot things so I know I would never try the Cayenne Pepper. If there is anyone out there that is not a fan of this type of remedy, I have one that I have used for years with total success. Gargle with salt water. I can't give you the exact measurements, because I don't make the same amount every time, but I can tell you that the solution should not be any saltier than your tears which is not all the salty. This remedy has worked every time for me and my family. My husband's aunt, who was an army nurse during WWII, told me that they used salt and sugar solutions to cure a lot of things years ago when she was growing up. Both items have healing properties when used correctly. Hope this suggestion helps someone.
REPLY   3      



Norman (Anaheim, CA) on 12/07/2006:
5 out of 5 stars

it's now 12:20am. been lying in bed and trying to sleep since 10:30pm but my constant coughing and really sore throat prevent me from sleeping so i got up and google "the best way to cure sore throat" and this site is on the top of the results. since the only thing that's available for me at this hour is the salt, i tried and gave it a shot. i heated up water and put a great amount of salt on it. i gargled it and i really felt much better. although, i can still feel it being sore, it made me stop coughing and the itchiness on my throat is gone. thanks!
REPLY   3      

Lashyah (Orlando, FL) on 02/01/2006:
1 out of 5 stars

salt and water, i did gargle salt and water and it helped me get my voice back but i'm still suffering from strep throat does any one have a cure for that?
REPLY   3      

Salt Water Gargle for Sore Throat

5 star (27) 
  66%
4 star (3) 
  7%
1 star (11) 
  27%

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.

Rob (Kentucky) on 11/07/2024:
5 out of 5 stars

Hot Water Compress/Gargle Hot Salt Water for Sore Throat. –

From the Book: The Household Monitor of Health, p. 210-211, by J.H. Kellogg, MD. 1891

There are many remedies for sore throat, some of which are harmless, being simply worthless, —like goose-oil applied externally, while others are quite injurious. The remedy used by the Germans and many sensible Americans, is the best, hot water. It should be applied outside and inside; outside by means of flannels wrung out of water as hot as can be borne, applied to the throat and well covered, twice a day, for fifteen minutes or half an hour. Gargle hot salt water, as hot as can be borne, every fifteen minutes or half hour until relieved. Drink plenty of hot water, so as to get into a profuse perspiration . If there is fever, cool the skin with sponge-baths. Keep the feet warm. If there are symptoms of diphtheria (A sore throat, fever, hoarseness, difficulty swallowing, and a barking cough), apply ice in a bag to the outside of the neck, and give the patient little pieces of ice to swallow. Lemon juice applied to the pharynx with a swab or as a gargle is sometimes a good remedy. A few hours of this treatment will effect a cure in simple cases.

 View Entire Thread

REPLY   4      

Unknown User (Land Of The Free!, Idaho United States) on 11/23/2012:
1 out of 5 stars

It did not work at all! It worked for like 10 minutes and afterwards I felt like crap.... It makes your throat dry and miserable. I highly don't recommend it.
REPLY   5      

Roberto (Newport, Tennessee) on 10/17/2012:
1 out of 5 stars

This remedy is a complete joke, I have been sick for a day now and have fought off all other symptoms except a sore throat..... I tried this remedy and immediately felt a burning in my throat that was worse than before!!!!!!!

 View Entire Thread

REPLY   4      



Ellenah1 (Stafford, Va) on 09/10/2012:
1 out of 5 stars

I gargled a whole cup of this stuff but it only worked for like 30 seconds. It didn't taste all to great afterwards either.

 View Entire Thread

REPLY   5      

Paloomi (Odek, Uganda) on 07/04/2012:
4 out of 5 stars

It helped, but not 100%.

 View Entire Thread

REPLY   5      

G (Jacksonville, Fl) on 12/29/2011:
1 out of 5 stars

Salt water garggle does not work. It provides slight relief for a few minutes. It is also unpleasant. I suggest ginger and honey tea instead.

 View Entire Thread

REPLY   5      

Ladywisdom (Miami, Fl) on 10/03/2011:
5 out of 5 stars

I almost can swear by this old remedy: when a sore throat appears, gargle with warm water, salt and lemon/lime juice (acv will do too). It should be gone by the end of your gargle. For variety, add a tsp. of honey

 View Entire Thread

REPLY   4      

Littleleto (Tampa, Florida) on 08/05/2011:
5 out of 5 stars

Oh my GOD!!!! I had a sore throat last night. ( just a small one! ) I looked at this site and saw things that help. I used listerine and gargled it. Then I got warm saltwater and swallowed it instead. It works better when you swallow it! It worked amaizingly its almost gone. Later in the morning im gonna take a warm shower. And thank you soooo much for the tips!!!!
REPLY   6      



Adam (Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada) on 06/24/2011:
4 out of 5 stars

I just recovered from an overnight flu and I am only 13 and got a really sore throat. I read some of the remedies on this site and I saw a bunce of combinations of salt and vinegar, since I had no vinegar, I took half a cup of warm water put a good amount of salt in it and gargled about 3 times.

Before I tried this remidee whenever I swalowed I felt an enormous amount of pain in the back of my throat, and after gargling my throat still hurts a bit, but still hurts way less than before, I will keep doing this about once an hr and maybe get some vinegar, just one question, do I swallow the substances or spit them out after gargling?

Thank You

REPLY   5      

Peter (Boston, Massachusetts) on 06/08/2011:
1 out of 5 stars

It did not help my soar throat at all and it actually made it worse I feel like shit now.

 View Entire Thread

REPLY   4      

Elaine (Key Largo, Fl/united States) on 11/12/2010:
1 out of 5 stars

I am sorry to say this but.... It doesn't work..... It dries up your throat, it hurts still, and it makes your mouth super super dry..... :(

 View Entire Thread

REPLY   4      

Maverick (Lafarge, Wisconson Usa) on 08/03/2010:
5 out of 5 stars

Hey thanx Chuck going to the Wisconsin dells tomorrow and I think you might have saved me.
REPLY   5      

Chuck (Uxbridge, Ontario, Canada) on 03/10/2010:
5 out of 5 stars

Simple: im going to Europe for 10 days tomorrow and i came home today with a sore throat, major bummer. Anyways, i typed in "sore throat remedies" and was brought to the attention of this site. I scrolled down to the salt and water one, and am now on the road to recovery. All it took was 2 cups of water and 3 tspns. of salt. PRAISE SALT!
REPLY   5      



Hisham (Isa Town, Bahrai) on 11/09/2009:
4 out of 5 stars

Woooh! The salt gurgle treatment is great. It has taken away most of the pain but i am goin to keep repeating the treatment until it has tottally gone.THANK U SALT!!!

 View Entire Thread

REPLY   5      

Christian (Toledo, Ohio) on 07/06/2009:
5 out of 5 stars

Its 10:25 here in Ohio, and im home alone. having a sore throut kills but the salt water remedy works!!!
REPLY   5      

Gianna (Discovery Bay, California) on 03/13/2009:
5 out of 5 stars

I have been feeling sick for the past few days, buy as usual mom made me go to school for finals. I hadnt been getting much rest and the pain was getting worse, i needed help. i had to go to school, so i knew i needed an easy way to get relief. I tried gargling salt water, but didnt last too long as i had hoped. so the next morning i put salt in a warm water bottle and every time my throat would hurt i would go to the bathroom and gargle.suprisingly it worked!i made it through finals and eventually started feeling better and better:)
REPLY   5      

Rosa (Chicago, Il) on 02/18/2009:
5 out of 5 stars

warm salt water for relief of sore throat; I was looking for a desparate cure for a severe sore throat late at nignt w/o having to use meds and this remedy helped immediatly. I used 2cups warm water with 3tspns salt and gargaled with it, the results helped the swelling go down immediatly and helped me sleep asap. when I woke up I repeated the treatment and the results improved drasticly. It will take a few times to completely get rid of the sore throat.
REPLY   3      

Chloe (Baltimore, MD) on 02/07/2009:
5 out of 5 stars

Dear Friends,

Its about 8:15 here in Baltimore and a freezing cold morning. I was trying to get some more rest to hoping this was just temporary. Well, as it turns out, I actually have a severe sinus infection and the flu, I logged on to Google and typed 'Remedies for Sore Throats.' I clicked on the link to this website and scrolled through the options, where I decided to try this one. 1 word - YEA! I mixed about half a teaspoon of salt and warm water into a mug and gargled, it instantly soothed my throat and took pain and itchiness away. Let's get well together.

REPLY   4      



Craig (St. Louis, Missouri) on 01/06/2009:
5 out of 5 stars

learned this method from grandma and have used it in the states as well as overseas as a medic and all my troops/patients said it worked great, lol usein it right now. i dump as much salt as u can take and use warm water if available.

 View Entire Thread

REPLY   4      

Sara (Jacsonville, Florida USA) on 11/30/2008:
1 out of 5 stars

the salt and water so works.......wrong! it hurt my throat even worst.
REPLY   4      

Moe Fizpatrick (Newbury, VT USA) on 10/02/2008:
5 out of 5 stars

For my sore throat, i tried gurgling saltwater. I have been using this trick since i was a little kid. It's never failed me, just like may Dad used to say. It does kinda taste bad after, but it goes away really fast. Hope i helped!
REPLY   4      

Samantha (Edmonton, Canada) on 09/12/2008:
5 out of 5 stars

yea thanks alot it really helped me i always used to gargle warm salty water but never tried putting vinegar in it!! thanks so much.

 View Entire Thread

REPLY   4      

Kaila (Springdale, Arkansas) on 07/13/2008:
5 out of 5 stars

Welll i try salt and vinigar with hot water to gurgle. It might taste odd but it helps alot. Use five teaspoons of salt and a half cup a vinigar. but it does not mater how much water you use! Hope it helps!
REPLY   4      



David (Dallas, Texas) on 05/27/2008:
5 out of 5 stars

Sore Throat Remedy Feedback: YEA this works. The saline solution numbs the pharnyx, leaving you with no pain at all! This is byfar an extremly well remedy!
REPLY   4      

Carla (Cork, Ireland) on 05/12/2008:
5 out of 5 stars

its a well know fact that the most basic remedies work the best and salt and water is no exception salt is know for its anti-septic properties, and, although it may not cause instant pain relief, it will remove the harmful bacteria causing the sore throat. just mix 2 teaspoons of salt with a mug of warm-hot water (the warm water willl help sterilse the surface of the throat) gargle 2-3 times a day and within a day or so your sore throat will dissapear! this is an ideal subsitute for anti-biotics and other harsh treatments. hope you feel better!!
REPLY   4      

Rin (Camas, WA) on 12/23/2007:
5 out of 5 stars

My daughter has a bad case of mono. Her tonsils were so swollen they were touching her uvula and she couldn't swallow any pain meds. We were having her gargle with a salt rinse, with no real relief. We called my inlaws and they suggested rinsing with a tsp of bs in lukewarm water followed by the salt rinse every two hours. Amazing! My daughter's tonsils are a little less swollen and it took the pain away for her to sleep for a lot longer last night. I found your site this morning when I was researching bs rinses. The doctor's we saw never even suggested it.
REPLY   4      

Bob (Timnbuktu, Timnbuktan) on 11/17/2007:
5 out of 5 stars

Salt water and Sodium Bicarbonate Gargle the best sore throat cure -- Ingredients: Half a teaspoon of sodium bicarbonate and a teaspoon of salt. Mix: Place bicarb and salt into mug. Add apx two tablespoons of boiling hot water (a quater a cup). The temperature actiates the bicarb and salt and it bubbles furiously for a few seconds. Add cool water until temperature is warm/hot cool enough to gargle -and gargle it until all gone. The bicarb helps break down the mucous and permits the salt to do its job
REPLY   3      

Beth (Clearfield, PA) on 08/16/2007:
5 out of 5 stars

I really enjoy this site and have tried some of the suggestions with much success. I have been ready about the Cayenne Pepper for a sore throat. I can't even imagine how that must feel. I am not a fan of spicy hot things so I know I would never try the Cayenne Pepper. If there is anyone out there that is not a fan of this type of remedy, I have one that I have used for years with total success. Gargle with salt water. I can't give you the exact measurements, because I don't make the same amount every time, but I can tell you that the solution should not be any saltier than your tears which is not all the salty. This remedy has worked every time for me and my family. My husband's aunt, who was an army nurse during WWII, told me that they used salt and sugar solutions to cure a lot of things years ago when she was growing up. Both items have healing properties when used correctly. Hope this suggestion helps someone.
REPLY   3      



Norman (Anaheim, CA) on 12/07/2006:
5 out of 5 stars

it's now 12:20am. been lying in bed and trying to sleep since 10:30pm but my constant coughing and really sore throat prevent me from sleeping so i got up and google "the best way to cure sore throat" and this site is on the top of the results. since the only thing that's available for me at this hour is the salt, i tried and gave it a shot. i heated up water and put a great amount of salt on it. i gargled it and i really felt much better. although, i can still feel it being sore, it made me stop coughing and the itchiness on my throat is gone. thanks!
REPLY   3      

Lashyah (Orlando, FL) on 02/01/2006:
1 out of 5 stars

salt and water, i did gargle salt and water and it helped me get my voice back but i'm still suffering from strep throat does any one have a cure for that?
REPLY   3      

Rob (Kentucky) on 11/07/2024:
5 out of 5 stars

Hot Water Compress/Gargle Hot Salt Water for Sore Throat. –

From the Book: The Household Monitor of Health, p. 210-211, by J.H. Kellogg, MD. 1891

There are many remedies for sore throat, some of which are harmless, being simply worthless, —like goose-oil applied externally, while others are quite injurious. The remedy used by the Germans and many sensible Americans, is the best, hot water. It should be applied outside and inside; outside by means of flannels wrung out of water as hot as can be borne, applied to the throat and well covered, twice a day, for fifteen minutes or half an hour. Gargle hot salt water, as hot as can be borne, every fifteen minutes or half hour until relieved. Drink plenty of hot water, so as to get into a profuse perspiration . If there is fever, cool the skin with sponge-baths. Keep the feet warm. If there are symptoms of diphtheria (A sore throat, fever, hoarseness, difficulty swallowing, and a barking cough), apply ice in a bag to the outside of the neck, and give the patient little pieces of ice to swallow. Lemon juice applied to the pharynx with a swab or as a gargle is sometimes a good remedy. A few hours of this treatment will effect a cure in simple cases.

 View Entire Thread

REPLY   4      

Unknown User (Land Of The Free!, Idaho United States) on 11/23/2012:
1 out of 5 stars

It did not work at all! It worked for like 10 minutes and afterwards I felt like crap.... It makes your throat dry and miserable. I highly don't recommend it.
REPLY   5      

Roberto (Newport, Tennessee) on 10/17/2012:
1 out of 5 stars

This remedy is a complete joke, I have been sick for a day now and have fought off all other symptoms except a sore throat..... I tried this remedy and immediately felt a burning in my throat that was worse than before!!!!!!!

 View Entire Thread

REPLY   4      



Ellenah1 (Stafford, Va) on 09/10/2012:
1 out of 5 stars

I gargled a whole cup of this stuff but it only worked for like 30 seconds. It didn't taste all to great afterwards either.

 View Entire Thread

REPLY   5      

Paloomi (Odek, Uganda) on 07/04/2012:
4 out of 5 stars

It helped, but not 100%.

 View Entire Thread

REPLY   5      

G (Jacksonville, Fl) on 12/29/2011:
1 out of 5 stars

Salt water garggle does not work. It provides slight relief for a few minutes. It is also unpleasant. I suggest ginger and honey tea instead.

 View Entire Thread

REPLY   5      

Ladywisdom (Miami, Fl) on 10/03/2011:
5 out of 5 stars

I almost can swear by this old remedy: when a sore throat appears, gargle with warm water, salt and lemon/lime juice (acv will do too). It should be gone by the end of your gargle. For variety, add a tsp. of honey

 View Entire Thread

REPLY   4      

Littleleto (Tampa, Florida) on 08/05/2011:
5 out of 5 stars

Oh my GOD!!!! I had a sore throat last night. ( just a small one! ) I looked at this site and saw things that help. I used listerine and gargled it. Then I got warm saltwater and swallowed it instead. It works better when you swallow it! It worked amaizingly its almost gone. Later in the morning im gonna take a warm shower. And thank you soooo much for the tips!!!!
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Adam (Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada) on 06/24/2011:
4 out of 5 stars

I just recovered from an overnight flu and I am only 13 and got a really sore throat. I read some of the remedies on this site and I saw a bunce of combinations of salt and vinegar, since I had no vinegar, I took half a cup of warm water put a good amount of salt in it and gargled about 3 times.

Before I tried this remidee whenever I swalowed I felt an enormous amount of pain in the back of my throat, and after gargling my throat still hurts a bit, but still hurts way less than before, I will keep doing this about once an hr and maybe get some vinegar, just one question, do I swallow the substances or spit them out after gargling?

Thank You

REPLY   5      

Peter (Boston, Massachusetts) on 06/08/2011:
1 out of 5 stars

It did not help my soar throat at all and it actually made it worse I feel like shit now.

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Elaine (Key Largo, Fl/united States) on 11/12/2010:
1 out of 5 stars

I am sorry to say this but.... It doesn't work..... It dries up your throat, it hurts still, and it makes your mouth super super dry..... :(

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REPLY   4      

Maverick (Lafarge, Wisconson Usa) on 08/03/2010:
5 out of 5 stars

Hey thanx Chuck going to the Wisconsin dells tomorrow and I think you might have saved me.
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Chuck (Uxbridge, Ontario, Canada) on 03/10/2010:
5 out of 5 stars

Simple: im going to Europe for 10 days tomorrow and i came home today with a sore throat, major bummer. Anyways, i typed in "sore throat remedies" and was brought to the attention of this site. I scrolled down to the salt and water one, and am now on the road to recovery. All it took was 2 cups of water and 3 tspns. of salt. PRAISE SALT!
REPLY   5      



Hisham (Isa Town, Bahrai) on 11/09/2009:
4 out of 5 stars

Woooh! The salt gurgle treatment is great. It has taken away most of the pain but i am goin to keep repeating the treatment until it has tottally gone.THANK U SALT!!!

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REPLY   5      

Christian (Toledo, Ohio) on 07/06/2009:
5 out of 5 stars

Its 10:25 here in Ohio, and im home alone. having a sore throut kills but the salt water remedy works!!!
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Gianna (Discovery Bay, California) on 03/13/2009:
5 out of 5 stars

I have been feeling sick for the past few days, buy as usual mom made me go to school for finals. I hadnt been getting much rest and the pain was getting worse, i needed help. i had to go to school, so i knew i needed an easy way to get relief. I tried gargling salt water, but didnt last too long as i had hoped. so the next morning i put salt in a warm water bottle and every time my throat would hurt i would go to the bathroom and gargle.suprisingly it worked!i made it through finals and eventually started feeling better and better:)
REPLY   5      

Rosa (Chicago, Il) on 02/18/2009:
5 out of 5 stars

warm salt water for relief of sore throat; I was looking for a desparate cure for a severe sore throat late at nignt w/o having to use meds and this remedy helped immediatly. I used 2cups warm water with 3tspns salt and gargaled with it, the results helped the swelling go down immediatly and helped me sleep asap. when I woke up I repeated the treatment and the results improved drasticly. It will take a few times to completely get rid of the sore throat.
REPLY   3      

Chloe (Baltimore, MD) on 02/07/2009:
5 out of 5 stars

Dear Friends,

Its about 8:15 here in Baltimore and a freezing cold morning. I was trying to get some more rest to hoping this was just temporary. Well, as it turns out, I actually have a severe sinus infection and the flu, I logged on to Google and typed 'Remedies for Sore Throats.' I clicked on the link to this website and scrolled through the options, where I decided to try this one. 1 word - YEA! I mixed about half a teaspoon of salt and warm water into a mug and gargled, it instantly soothed my throat and took pain and itchiness away. Let's get well together.

REPLY   4      



Craig (St. Louis, Missouri) on 01/06/2009:
5 out of 5 stars

learned this method from grandma and have used it in the states as well as overseas as a medic and all my troops/patients said it worked great, lol usein it right now. i dump as much salt as u can take and use warm water if available.

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REPLY   4      

Sara (Jacsonville, Florida USA) on 11/30/2008:
1 out of 5 stars

the salt and water so works.......wrong! it hurt my throat even worst.
REPLY   4      

Moe Fizpatrick (Newbury, VT USA) on 10/02/2008:
5 out of 5 stars

For my sore throat, i tried gurgling saltwater. I have been using this trick since i was a little kid. It's never failed me, just like may Dad used to say. It does kinda taste bad after, but it goes away really fast. Hope i helped!
REPLY   4      

Samantha (Edmonton, Canada) on 09/12/2008:
5 out of 5 stars

yea thanks alot it really helped me i always used to gargle warm salty water but never tried putting vinegar in it!! thanks so much.

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REPLY   4      

Kaila (Springdale, Arkansas) on 07/13/2008:
5 out of 5 stars

Welll i try salt and vinigar with hot water to gurgle. It might taste odd but it helps alot. Use five teaspoons of salt and a half cup a vinigar. but it does not mater how much water you use! Hope it helps!
REPLY   4      



David (Dallas, Texas) on 05/27/2008:
5 out of 5 stars

Sore Throat Remedy Feedback: YEA this works. The saline solution numbs the pharnyx, leaving you with no pain at all! This is byfar an extremly well remedy!
REPLY   4      

Carla (Cork, Ireland) on 05/12/2008:
5 out of 5 stars

its a well know fact that the most basic remedies work the best and salt and water is no exception salt is know for its anti-septic properties, and, although it may not cause instant pain relief, it will remove the harmful bacteria causing the sore throat. just mix 2 teaspoons of salt with a mug of warm-hot water (the warm water willl help sterilse the surface of the throat) gargle 2-3 times a day and within a day or so your sore throat will dissapear! this is an ideal subsitute for anti-biotics and other harsh treatments. hope you feel better!!
REPLY   4      

Rin (Camas, WA) on 12/23/2007:
5 out of 5 stars

My daughter has a bad case of mono. Her tonsils were so swollen they were touching her uvula and she couldn't swallow any pain meds. We were having her gargle with a salt rinse, with no real relief. We called my inlaws and they suggested rinsing with a tsp of bs in lukewarm water followed by the salt rinse every two hours. Amazing! My daughter's tonsils are a little less swollen and it took the pain away for her to sleep for a lot longer last night. I found your site this morning when I was researching bs rinses. The doctor's we saw never even suggested it.
REPLY   4      

Bob (Timnbuktu, Timnbuktan) on 11/17/2007:
5 out of 5 stars

Salt water and Sodium Bicarbonate Gargle the best sore throat cure -- Ingredients: Half a teaspoon of sodium bicarbonate and a teaspoon of salt. Mix: Place bicarb and salt into mug. Add apx two tablespoons of boiling hot water (a quater a cup). The temperature actiates the bicarb and salt and it bubbles furiously for a few seconds. Add cool water until temperature is warm/hot cool enough to gargle -and gargle it until all gone. The bicarb helps break down the mucous and permits the salt to do its job
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Beth (Clearfield, PA) on 08/16/2007:
5 out of 5 stars

I really enjoy this site and have tried some of the suggestions with much success. I have been ready about the Cayenne Pepper for a sore throat. I can't even imagine how that must feel. I am not a fan of spicy hot things so I know I would never try the Cayenne Pepper. If there is anyone out there that is not a fan of this type of remedy, I have one that I have used for years with total success. Gargle with salt water. I can't give you the exact measurements, because I don't make the same amount every time, but I can tell you that the solution should not be any saltier than your tears which is not all the salty. This remedy has worked every time for me and my family. My husband's aunt, who was an army nurse during WWII, told me that they used salt and sugar solutions to cure a lot of things years ago when she was growing up. Both items have healing properties when used correctly. Hope this suggestion helps someone.
REPLY   3      



Norman (Anaheim, CA) on 12/07/2006:
5 out of 5 stars

it's now 12:20am. been lying in bed and trying to sleep since 10:30pm but my constant coughing and really sore throat prevent me from sleeping so i got up and google "the best way to cure sore throat" and this site is on the top of the results. since the only thing that's available for me at this hour is the salt, i tried and gave it a shot. i heated up water and put a great amount of salt on it. i gargled it and i really felt much better. although, i can still feel it being sore, it made me stop coughing and the itchiness on my throat is gone. thanks!
REPLY   3      

Lashyah (Orlando, FL) on 02/01/2006:
1 out of 5 stars

salt and water, i did gargle salt and water and it helped me get my voice back but i'm still suffering from strep throat does any one have a cure for that?
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