Herbal Remedies for a Throat Infection
Throat infections can leave your throat feeling sore and scratchy. Whether the pain is from a viral or bacterial infection, the discomfort is hard to ignore. Throat infections may cause difficulties in swallowing and may affect your voice. Herbal remedies offer some ways to help soothe your throat, reduce inflammation or fight against the bacteria that have made your throat their home. An added bonus is that herbal remedies do not have side effects.
-
When to Use Herbal Remedies
-
If your throat infection is accompanied by fever, swollen lymph glands, and white patches on the throat, you may have strep throat, which is a bacterial infection. Strep throat warrants medical attention, the University of Maryland Medical Center advises. Herbal remedies, on the other hand, are well worth considering if you have a viral throat infection, which will not respond to antibiotics anyway. Pregnant women should seek medical advice before using any herbal remedy.
Remedies for Viral Infections
-
Drink herbal tea. Warm liquids feel good on a sort throat and help ensure you stay well-hydrated. Try hot chamomile, mint, marjoram, licorice root, or ginger tea when you get up in the morning, at mid-day and in the evening. Each of these herbal teas contains ingredients to help fight a throat infection. Add honey and lemon if you like.
Use ginger. Ginger capsules are available, but you can also enjoy ginger tea or drink ginger juice mixed with honey to take advantage of ginger's anti-inflammatory properties.
Gargle with a solution of licorice root and slippery elm. Let equal parts of the two herbs sit in warm water for at least 30 minutes. Then gargle with the solution twice a day or as needed to provide relief to your sore throat.
-
Remedies for Bacterial Infections
-
Take rosemary or yarrow for a bacterial throat infection. Mexico State University researchers have discovered both rosemary and yarrow relieve pain, reduce swelling, and attack bacteria. Try either of the following herbal remedies to treat a bacterial throat infection such as strep throat.
Mix equal parts of rosemary, myrrh, sage, and echinacea tinctures. Measure one teaspoon of this mixture and stir it into 5 teaspoons of water. Gargle with the mixture and then swallow it.
Remove the aerial parts of a yarrow plant and, with an equal amount of peppermint and elder flower, add them to a small amount of warm water. Allow to sit for at least 30 minutes. Take a small amount of the resulting infusion three times a day.
-
