Sore throat, discomfort when swallowing ¬- these unpleasant symptoms of sore throat are familiar to almost everyone since childhood. Many at the first symptoms are in a hurry to start taking antibiotics, but at the initial stage of the disease, it is quite possible to do without them, especially when it comes to treating children, because uncontrolled intake of antimicrobial drugs can do more harm than good.
In the event that conservative medicine is indispensable, folk remedies can act as auxiliary methods that can accelerate the healing process.
What determines the effectiveness of the use of folk remedies for sore throat
Home remedies used in the treatment of throat can have the following effect:
• getting rid of unpleasant symptoms. For example, rinsing reduces pain when swallowing, relieves perspiration, helps to wash out pathogenic microbes and purulent plugs;
• anti-inflammatory effect. Most folk remedies have an antiseptic effect, which helps to fight pathogenic microflora no worse than pharmacy drugs;
• increase local immunity. Almost all home remedies with regular use have an immunomodulating effect and contribute to increasing the body's resistance to infectious agents and viruses.
Thus, the use of folk remedies for inflammation in the throat is justified and quite effective. However, it should be borne in mind that their use is permissible only for a mild course of the disease, not accompanied by a sharp increase in temperature, swollen tonsils and / or the development of purulent tonsillitis. Otherwise, you must definitely seek help from a doctor who will prescribe treatment with pharmacological drugs, and home recipes should be used only as an addition to medicines.
Gargle for sore throat
The most common way to treat a throat disease is to rinse. Below are the most popular and effective recipes.
1. Salt, soda and iodine. The most common and affordable way to treat a throat, which is very effective. To prepare the solution, add 1 tsp to a glass of warm boiled water. salt, 1/2 tsp. soda and a few drops of iodine, mix thoroughly and gargle with the resulting mixture every 2-3 hours.
2. Chamomile broth. To prepare it, you need 1 tsp. dried chamomile, or one filter bag of chamomile tea. Chamomile should be brewed in a glass of boiling water, cool to a comfortable temperature, strain and gargle 5-6 times a day.
3. Lemon juice. In a glass of water, dilute 1 tbsp. lemon juice or dissolve 1 tsp. citric acid. Gargle with this tool is necessary 3-4 times a day.
4. Chlorhexidine. A fairly effective remedy for sore throat is the use of a 0.05% chlorhexidine solution, which has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effects. At a higher concentration, it should be diluted with water. It is worth considering that the prepared solution in the open form loses its healing properties. This product is not suitable for the treatment of pregnant women.
5. Calendula and St. John's wort. To prepare the broth, you need to take dry calendula flowers and St. John's wort grass in a ratio of 1: 1, boil with boiling water, let it brew for 30 minutes, cool to room temperature, strain and gargle with the resulting broth 5-6 times a day.
6. Furatsilin. This tool is also effective in the treatment of throat diseases, since it has the properties of an antiseptic. One tablet of furatsilin should be dissolved in a glass of warm water and gargle with the resulting solution at least 5-6 times a day. To increase the effectiveness of the method, 15-20 ml of hydrogen peroxide can be added to furatsilin.
One of the main advantages of rinsing, as a folk remedy for sore throat, is that pain relief when swallowing and getting rid of perspiration comes quickly enough. Regular rinses contribute to the leaching of pathogens, which also contributes to recovery.
Inhalations for the treatment of throat diseases
The use of inhalations for sore throats is very effective, since a medicinal solution by inhalation is able to penetrate even into the deep lacunae of the tonsils, providing a therapeutic effect. The ideal option is to carry out inhalation using a nebulizer, which allows the tool to achieve localization of inflammation, which contributes to a speedy recovery.
Means for inhalation with a nebulizer
To prepare a solution for inhalation, you can use the following tools:
• furatsilin;
• chlorhexidine or miramistin;
• tincture of calendula;
• Eucalyptus oil.
Saline or mineral water such as Narzan or Essentuki can be used as a means for inhalation using a nebulizer to relieve swelling, soften the throat, and reduce pain.
Folk remedies for sore throat for inhalation
Inhalations can be carried out without the help of special devices. Below are the most common methods.
1. Boiled potatoes. It is necessary to boil the potatoes in a peel, drain the water, add 4-5 drops of turpentine to the potatoes and breathe over the steam for 3-5 minutes. This method is suitable for adults only.
2. Propolis. Add 2 teaspoons of propolis to 0.5 l of hot water and breathe over steam for 5 minutes. The procedure can be repeated up to three times a day.
3. Garlic. Peel and chop the head of garlic. Pour half a liter of water, bring to a boil, adding a teaspoon of soda at the end. Such inhalation is carried out three times a day.
IMPORTANT: this treatment is strictly forbidden to use if there is a fever or purulent sore throat. It is forbidden to make inhalations for people suffering from nosebleeds, hypertension, asthma, as well as pregnant women.
Honey sore throat treatment
Honey has a large number of useful properties, which is why it is often used to treat diseases of the throat. It helps to alleviate sore throat and quick recovery. The easiest way to use it is to absorb a teaspoon of thick honey. In addition, there are several effective honey gargle recipes:
• honey with camomile. Brew a teaspoon of chamomile flowers with boiling water, cool and add 1/2 tsp. honey. You can gargle with a similar remedy every 1-2 hours.
• honey with carrot juice. Prepare freshly squeezed carrot juice, dilute it with boiled water in a ratio of 2: 1 and add 1 tsp. honey. With this mixture, gargle 3-4 times a day;
• in addition to rinsing, you can use pure honey solution, a teaspoon of honey will be required in a glass of warm water.
Honey, as a folk remedy for sore throat, can be used to treat young children and pregnant women. However, before starting treatment, you should make sure that there is no allergy to bee products.
Other folk remedies for sore throat
In addition to the above methods of treating diseases of the throat, there are other means, such as:
• warming compress. He will need a clean, medium-sized towel moistened with hot water. It must be wrapped around the neck and held for 20-30 minutes. You can use this method 2-3 times a day, as well as at night;
• warm foot bath. The procedure is carried out before bedtime for 10-15 minutes, the water temperature should not be higher than 38 ℃;
• propolisny canvas. It is used according to the principle of a compress: a canvas (or, as it is also called, a positive) is carefully wrapped around the neck with propolis inward, on top of it you need to tie a scarf or scarf to fix it on the neck. You can walk with him for an unlimited time, as well as tie at night;
• to relieve sore throat, the patient should be given plenty of warm drink. Black tea with honey and / or lemon is best suited for this.
IMPORTANT: if it’s not about mild inflammation of the throat, but about the development of purulent tonsillitis with swelling of the tonsils, in no case should you self-medicate. It is necessary to contact a specialist as soon as possible who will select the right treatment.
