How to Use Garlic to Treat a Sore Throat

By eHow Health Editor

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Garlic has been used in homeopathic treatments for hundreds of years and its ability to treat a wide variety of conditions is almost legendary. You can use this natural remedy to treat sore throats.

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Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

Fresh garlic or supplements
Vitamin C, echinacea or red marine algae

Step1

Use garlic in the treatment of sore throats and other respiratory infections. Garlic is an excellent, all-natural treatment for respiratory problems because it has both antibacterial and antiviral properties.

Step2

Boil some water when you feel a cold coming on. When the water boils, add several medium-sized pieces of garlic to brew a refreshing, soothing tea.

Step3

Simmer the garlic and hot water for a several minutes. Set it aside and let it cool to a drinkable temperature.

Step4

Drink the garlic tea while it is slightly warm. Drinking the tea will help soothe your sore throat and can help you recover from respiratory infections faster.

Step5

Use garlic tea to treat the immediate symptoms of a sore throat, but don't stop there. Garlic is a powerful natural antimicrobial agent and it can be used to help strengthen your immune system. A stronger immune system means that your body may fight off the underlying cause of the sore throat faster.

Step6

Use garlic as part of your overall disease-fighting strategy. Because it is a natural defense booster and virus fighter, when you combine it with other powerful immune boosters, such as vitamin C, echinacea and red marine algae, you erect a strong line of defense against many common ailments.

Tips & Warnings

If you're worried about bad breath from using too much garlic, take an odorless garlic supplement instead of eating it whole. However, fresh garlic is more potent.
Throw away the throat lozenges and use natural treatments for sore throats. Over-the counter-lozenges simply numb the throat, but they don't actually soothe the inflamed tissue.
The surfaces you come in contact with are usually where viruses enter the body. Wash your hands often, especially during cold and flu season.