A sore throat is not only annoying but also uncomfortable, especially at night. There are simple remedies that can specifically relieve symptoms.
A sore throat can have different causes, ranging from a flu-like infection, a real flu, corona, an enlarged thyroid to reactions to very dry air, cigarette smoke and dust. If the cause of the symptoms is a bacterial or viral infection, it can take three to five days for the symptoms to subside, even with therapy. Acute sore throats can also be caused by external stimuli, which can be quickly brought under control with home remedies.
Sore Throat: Four Home Remedies That Relieve Symptoms Overnight
A sore throat usually comes on quite suddenly and often makes those affected want to swallow even less. As a result, the affected mucous membranes in the throat are less moisturized and swallowing becomes even more painful.
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Even if it hurts, drinking water or cold teas is particularly important for a sore throat. Sugar-free herbal lozenges can also provide further relief, as they stimulate the flow of saliva and moisten the throat. Painful swallowing is then minimized. Depending on the symptoms and personal feelings, cold and heat can help against a sore throat. A classic solution for a sore throat is gargling, as the pain-relieving solution reaches the throat directly.
What helps against cold symptoms: Gargling for a sore throat
You don't necessarily have to go to the pharmacy or drugstore to get the gargle solution. You probably have everything you need at home: tap water and table salt. Add a teaspoon of the salt to a quarter liter of lukewarm water, mix it and gargle some every two hours. Alternatively, chamomile and sage tea can also be gargled.
Gargling with water and freshly brewed sage is particularly recommended: pour one to two grams of sage leaves with around 200 milliliters of hot water and let it steep for ten minutes. Even healing clay diluted in water has proven effective for sore throats as it has an anti-inflammatory effect.
Relieve cold symptoms: herbal teas for sore throats
In addition to chamomile and sage, ginger and thyme prepared as tea also help with sore throats. Honey has an additional beneficial effect and is added to the tea at a teaspoon per cup.
Cool neck wraps and hot water bottles relieve sore throats
A cotton cloth soaked in cold or warm water, a hot water bottle and curd wraps around the neck are good for relieving symptoms of a sore throat. Quark wraps are a tried and tested home remedy to cool affected areas and reduce pain and inflammation. The casein contained in quark has a binding effect and ensures that inflammatory substances are removed, bound and transported away. By the way, curd compresses also help with sunstroke. Instead of quark, a healing clay pad can also be applied to the outside of the neck. Healing clay not only helps against prickly heat, but also relieves a sore throat.
Help against a sore throat: ensure high humidity in rooms
Since we swallow less at night while we sleep and therefore the throat is less moistened, the sore throat can be particularly painful when we wake up the next day. To alleviate the symptoms while sleeping, it helps to place a bowl of water on the windowsill or hang up damp laundry. Both can increase humidity and minimize possible discomfort caused by dry air in the room.
Ultimately, a sore throat can have various causes, such as a cold, hay fever or even corona. It is advisable to monitor the symptoms closely and see a doctor if symptoms persist.
This article only contains general information on the respective health topic and is therefore not intended for self-diagnosis, treatment or medication. It in no way replaces a visit to the doctor. Our editorial team is not allowed to answer individual questions about medical conditions.