Sore Throat
Sore throat encompasses quite a few ailments, like tonsillitis, laryngitis, pharyngitis, strep throat and more. It is usually a symptom of another problem. Sore and tender throats may be accompanied by colds, the flu, or fever.
Symptoms
Symptoms may include a tickle or sand-papery feeling in your throat, pain upon swallowing, difficulty swallowing, swelling and symptoms of infection, such as fever. If the larynx is affected you may find your voice becomes husky or you lose it.
Causes
Sore throats can be caused by infections of the tonsils, the larynx and they may be caused by the streptococcus bacteria (strep throat) or be a symptom of the mumps or other disease. Other causes of sore throat are through throat irritation - cigarette smoking, vocal abuse, sinus problems, allergies, foreign bodies such as fish bones and tumours.
Cautions
If your throat pain lasts for more than a week, or if you have a fever close to 101 degrees Fahrenheit or higher you should see your health professional. Additional symptoms such as painful swallowing, swollen and enlarged glands in the neck or unusual patches of white on your tonsils, you should also see your doctor. Other reasons to seek medical attention include a reddish, sandpaper-like rash on the body, rheumatic fever, exposure to strep throat or mononucleosis, or if you have a sore throat for more than a week.
Herbal Treatments
Internal Applications
- Echinacea - take to build your immune system. Other immune building herbs include Elder and Agrimony.
- Goldenseal - take in capsule or liquid extract form as it is reported to have good antiseptic effects.
- Licorice this antibacterial herb has been used for centuries. It coats the throat and reduces inflammation. Drink licorice tea two or three times per day.
- Slippery elm this herb coats the throat with a soothing mucilage to reduce irritation. It can be found in lozenges at most grocery stores in the natural food section.
- Marshmallow this herb has been used traditionally to treat sore and tender throats. It contains mucilage, which coats and soothes the irritated throat. You can take it as a tea, drinking up to three cups per day. If you are diabetic, you may want to consult your physician before taking this herb.
External Applications
- Goldenseal gargle with a tea made of this herb to help kill bacteria that may be causing sore throat.
- Sage make a tea of fresh sage leaves by pouring boiling water over two teaspoons of chopped leaves. Let them steep for about ten minutes. Strain the tea and let it cool. Use it as a mouthwash.
- Turmeric use this herb in its powdered form to make a gargle. Add 1 teaspoon of the powdered herb to a cup of hot water and use it to gargle as needed.
- Ginger make a tea from a few fresh slices of the root, a teaspoon of powdered ginger or a prepared tea bag. Gargle as needed with the tea or drink it three times per day.
- Bayberry commercial mouthwashes are available that contain bayberry. Gargle with them as needed.
- Thyme make a tea of this herb with a cup of hot water and 1 teaspoon of dried herb. Strain and gargle with the liquid.
- Cinnamon this herb makes a mucilage that coats the throat. Mix cinnamon in a cup of cold water and use as a gargle.
- Cayenne mix an eighth of a teaspoon with the juice of half a lemon and a pinch of salt. Gargle with this mixture as needed.