Natural Cough & Sore Throat Remedies

Millions of people suffer from sore throats and coughs each year. About 90% of sore throats are caused by viruses.

Only about 10% of sore throats are due to bacteria, including group A β-hemolytic streptococcus. Allergies, acid reflux and even dry weather can also cause a sore throat. The only way to be sure if you don’t have a strep throat, is to get swab tested by your doctor. There is a quick swab and one that has to be cultured for 24 - 48 hours. The cultured strep test is more accurate.

If you feel a sore throat coming on, you needn’t suffer through it. There are many natural remedies that can not only take the edge off but also help with healing. As a bonus, many of the remedies that follow work for both coughs and sore throats because they tackle the underlying viral infection.

11 Sore Throat & Cough Remedies From Dr. Mercola:

1. Hydrogen Peroxide - At the first sign of a cold, which is often behind a sore throat, pour a capful of 3% hydrogen peroxide in each ear. This works remarkably well at resolving respiratory infections, such as colds and flu.

You will hear some bubbling, which is completely normal, and possibly feel a slight stinging sensation. Wait until the bubbling and stinging subside (usually 5 to 10 minutes), then drain onto a tissue and repeat with the other ear.

2. Vitamin C - Vitamin C is best known for its benefits for infectious diseases. Research published in the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews found that regular supplementation with vitamin C had a “modest but consistent effect in reducing the duration of common cold symptoms.”

Kiwi fruits are exceptionally high in vitamin C, along with vitamin E, folate, polyphenols, and carotenoids. Research published in the British Journal of Nutrition found that a kiwi-packed diet reduced the duration and severity of upper respiratory tract infections symptoms in older individuals.

Other foods high in vitamin C include citrus fruits, red bell peppers, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, butternut squash, papaya, sweet potatoes and tomatoes.

3. Apple Cider Vinegar - The antibacterial properties in apple cider vinegar may be useful for sore throats. Gargle with a mixture of about one-third cup of apple cider vinegar mixed with warm water, as needed.

4. Raw Garlic and Oil of Oregano - Garlic is packed with immune-boosting, anti-microbial compounds that may fight off viruses. Take a clove or two and chew them, letting the juice get into the back of your throat, then swallow. You can do the same with oil of oregano.

5. Lemons - You can use lemons multiple ways to soothe a sore throat. Try cutting a lemon in half and sprinkling it with natural unprocessed salt and black pepper, then sucking on it.

You can also make a potent “lemonade” out of fresh lemon juice, water, stevia and cayenne pepper (this will help promote detoxification too).

6. Herbal Remedies - Herbs such as eucalyptus, peppermint, anise, slippery elm, and fennel (and their oils) act as cough suppressants. Sipping an herbal tea or using the essential oils (in a diffuser or hot compress for instance) may help relieve your cough, while Echinacea and sage may relieve a sore throat.

One study found an echinacea/sage throat spray worked just as well as a chlorhexidine/lidocaine spray in relieving sore throats among children.

7. Licorice Root - Gargling with licorice root, a traditional sore throat remedy, may soothe your throat. Look for it in liquid extract form, which has been shown to lead to less severe post-operative sore throat.

8. Raw Honey - Raw honey has antiviral and antibacterial properties, and may also boost your immune system. It has also been found to relieve symptoms of upper respiratory tract infection in children.

9. Chicken Soup - Chicken soup made with homemade bone broth is excellent for speeding healing and recuperation from illness. You’ve undoubtedly heard the old adage that chicken soup will help cure a cold and there’s scientific support for such a statement. For instance, it contains immune-stimulating carnosine to help fight off infection
In addition to the anti-inflammatory benefits of bone broth, chicken contains a natural amino acid called cysteine, which can thin the mucus in your lungs and make it less sticky so you can expel it more easily.

Keep in mind that processed, canned soups will not work as well as the homemade version made from slow-cooked bone broth. If combating a cold, make the soup hot and spicy with plenty of pepper.

The spices will trigger a sudden release of watery fluids in your mouth, throat, and lungs, which will help thin down the respiratory mucus so it’s easier to expel. Black peppercorns also contain high amounts of piperine, a compound with fever-reducing and pain-relieving properties.

10. Salt Water Gargle - One of the simplest ways to soothe a sore throat is to gargle with natural salt, which helps kill bacteria, ease sore throat pain and prevents upper respiratory tract infections. Try a solution of one-half teaspoon salt in one-half cup of warm water.

11. Colloidal Silver - Last but not least, colloidal silver (silver that’s suspended in a small amount of liquid) has long been used as an antimicrobial agent.

Researchers from Brigham Young University tested colloidal silver against five pathogens, including streptococci, and found it worked as well as commonly used antibiotics.

The researchers noted the silver solution “exhibits an equal or broader spectrum of activity than any one antibiotic tested” and could be “effectively used as an alternative to antibiotics.” In this case, the silver could be especially useful for cases of strep throat.

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