How to Speed Up the Healing of a Sore Throat

A sore throat can be really uncomfortable, right? You can try the following methods to ease the pain faster. Just keep in mind that these won't instantly cure the pain but will help soothe it.

Take 1-2 tablespoons of honey. Honey is a natural antiseptic and has been proven to help suppress coughing. You can suck on 1-2 teaspoons of honey and swallow slowly, allowing it to linger at the back of your throat for as long as possible.

• You can mix honey in hot water to make a drink that helps soothe the throat, although this method tends to be less effective in the long run.
• Children under 1 year old SHOULD ABSOLUTELY NOT consume honey. Honey contains bacteria that the young child's body cannot handle.

Gargle with warm salt water. Add a full teaspoon of sea salt or two teaspoons of regular salt into a cup of warm water. Gargle with this saltwater mixture until the pain starts to subside. Saltwater helps cleanse the throat and reduce inflammation, which in turn helps alleviate the pain.

• You can also gargle with apple cider vinegar. It works similarly. Add 1-2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar to a cup of water for gargling. You may add honey to improve the taste (though this isn't recommended as the flavor might not be very pleasant).

Inhale steam. You can take a warm shower, use a humidifier, or stand next to a pot of boiling water. Inhaling the steam helps soothe your throat because dry air can make the throat pain worse.

Eat warm foods. You can try eating soups, broths, warm applesauce, or soft fruits (avoid foods with too much sugar) to ease the sore throat.

• Try rinsing, separating, and freezing blueberries, canned oranges, or small fruits like these. Later, suck on the frozen fruits to reduce the pain.

Drink warm tea. You can drink warm teas like Throat Coat Tea mixed with honey.

Lozenge for cough relief. Sucking on cough lozenges may help reduce throat pain.

Resting in bed. The most essential step is to rest in bed. Avoid excessive movement as it may cause fatigue and increase the risk of spreading the illness. Getting enough sleep is crucial. You can watch TV or read a book to pass the time, distract yourself, and take your mind off the sickness.

Drink a little fruit juice. Fruit juices like apple juice can soothe a sore throat. People with a sore throat are often advised to drink apple juice or orange juice. However, it’s important to note that hot apple cider vinegar may not be as helpful.

Avoid drinking fruit juices high in sugar. Sugar creates a favorable environment for bacteria to grow quickly. Instead, opt for fresh or natural fruit juices. Lemon juice and drinks rich in Vitamin C are the best options.

Avoid cold drinks or food. Cold items can constrict and tighten the throat instead of soothing it.

Avoid drinking milk and eating ice cream. Ice cream and milk can produce mucus, making you cough more frequently.

Cook some soup. Chicken pho or various meat broths are delicious and helpful in soothing a sore throat.

Take medicine. Medication can alleviate the discomfort in your throat. Children can take Motrin or Benadryl. These medicines might make you drowsy, but sleep is also beneficial when you're sick.

Go to sleep. Set aside your worries about the sore throat and take a short nap. Sleep gives your body the chance to recover and helps reduce throat pain.

Dress warmly. This step is very important because when you have a cold, sore throat, flu, or fever, you should avoid getting cold to prevent worsening the illness.

Bring some joy to yourself. Since you might have to take time off from school or work, you may feel a bit bored. When you’re curled up in bed, you might feel restless and want to get out. Therefore, it's a good idea to find ways to enjoy yourself while resting in bed, such as reading a book, writing a journal, or playing games on your phone.

No matter what, avoid putting strain on your throat. Don’t eat things like cookies or snacks as they will only make your throat worse. Instead, opt for hot soup, fruit juice, or warm tea.

• Eat a spoonful of honey.
• If the pain is too severe, make sure to see a doctor immediately.
• Avoid talking too much and let your throat rest.
• Avoid acidic beverages.
• Create steam in the bathroom by turning on the hot shower. Sit and breathe in the steam.
• If your sore throat doesn’t improve or worsens after a week, visit a doctor as it may be something more serious.
• Gargle with warm salt water and slowly swallow a spoonful of honey.
• Try not to eat dry foods.
• You can try eating gummy candy. As you swallow, the candy will coat your throat and numb the pain.
• Consider sucking on throat lozenges like Strepsils.

• Avoid actions that may strain or harm your throat.