Itchy Throat: Natural Remedies To Relieve It
In the presence of a sore throat or a simple itch and constant burning, we generally start looking for a natural solution for relief. Among the most common measures we can find several hot drinks and even some foods with anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties.
An itchy or sore throat can occur due to an infection, allergy, sudden changes in temperature, pollution, and even drinking enough water.
Although it rarely becomes something serious, when it is constant it can interfere with our daily activities. Coughing a lot sometimes makes it difficult to talk or eat quietly.
In some cases , itchy throat is accompanied by irritation and redness. This leads us to the need to clear our throats. We need to be careful when trying, because our vocal cords are delicate and could get damaged.
Causes of itchy throat
If the throat irritation is caused by allergies or gastric reflux we must address these conditions by following the advice of the doctor. If it is phlegm or a mild infection, then, we can resort to certain natural remedies to complete the drug treatment. Some of the most effective are the following.
1. Honey
Honey is a natural remedy for relieving any symptoms related to the throat and itchy sensation. According to a recent study, honey, added to coffee, may be beneficial in the persistent treatment of cough following a throat infection.
To relieve an itchy throat or cough, it is recommended that you take 2 teaspoons (10 g) of honey before going to bed.
2. Infusion of ginger
Another remedy to relieve tingling in the throat is to drink an infusion of ginger.
The ginger relaxes the airways and also calms the cough thanks to its analgesic and anti-inflammatory, it is believed that its consumption in the form of infusion can be beneficioso to give relief from sore throat.
Ingredients
- A cup of water (250 ml).
- 1 or 2 tablespoons of grated or chopped ginger root (20 g).
- 4 teaspoons of honey (20 g) (optional)
Preparation
- Heat a cup of water and, when it comes to a boil, add the ginger.
- Leave to infuse for 10 minutes, until it has taken on a yellowish color.
- Let it rest and cool.
Mode of consumption
- Once the drink has reached a bearable temperature, you can proceed to take it in sips.
- It is advisable not to remove the pieces of ginger, rather it is better to chew them.
- You can add a spoonful of honey to make the brew even more calming.
3. Lemon tea
Hot lemon tea will soothe the itchy throat. Lemon is a citrus fruit rich in vitamin C, which helps us to preserve the health of the organism.
Ingredients
- 1 cup of water (250 ml).
- 2 lemon peels.
- 6 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice (60 ml).
Preparation
- Put the water on the stove and add the lemon peels.
- Boil for 10 minutes.
- Remove from the heat and mix with the lemon juice.
- Drink it at least three times a day.
4. Gargle with sea water
Another useful remedy to combat tingling in the throat is, according to popular wisdom, to gargle with sea water. Although this remedy may be unpleasant to the taste, gargling at least once a day may provide relief.
Ingredients
- A cup of water (250 ml).
- ½ teaspoon of salt (5 g).
Preparation
- Bring the water to a boil.
- Remove from the heat, add the salt and mix well.
- Proceed with gargle when the water is warm.
5. Aloe vera juice
Aloe vera juice contains anti-inflammatory compounds and cooling properties, ideal for soothing the throat.
Ingredients
- 2 large aloe vera leaves.
- 1 cup of citrus juice (250 ml).
- ½ cup of water (125 ml).
Preparation
- Divide the leaf in two and with a spoon remove the gel contained inside.
- Filter the gel with a fine mesh strainer, then pass it under water to remove the yellowish layer covering the gel.
- Put the water, citrus juice and aloe vera gel in a blender to mix everything well.
- Put in a glass and enjoy your drink.
6. Apple cider vinegar
According to popular tradition, tingling in the throat can also be treated with apple cider vinegar. In this case we will not use this ingredient to prepare a drink, but to gargle.
Ingredients
- ¼ cup of hot water (62 ml).
- 1/4 cup of pure apple cider vinegar (62 ml).
Preparation
- Mix the two ingredients well with a spoon or a blender.
- Take small sips and start gargle for about 15 seconds.
- Spit out the water, without swallowing, and repeat the procedure twice a day.
7. Drink more water
Itching, burning, and dryness in the throat are often the result of dehydration, as there is not enough mucus to lubricate and protect sensitive tissues.
- We should strive to drink at least 4 glasses of water a day.
- Drinking water is very important in case of a cold or flu, because you lose a lot of fluids through sweating (fever) and a lot of mucus (sneezing and blowing your nose).
Other measures to protect the throat
- Avoid drinks that contain caffeine such as coffee, tea and carbonated drinks, as they can cause dehydration.
- Smoking is bad for the throat and causes itching and irritation (and many other health problems). Consider quitting or at least reducing consumption.
- Protect your voice. When talking, screaming or singing too loudly, the throat becomes overloaded which causes dehydration and itching.
- If you think this is the cause of the tingling, try to rest your voice (don’t talk, don’t sing, don’t shout) for at least one or two hours a day.
To keep in mind ..
By taking care of our nutrition and hydration when we are sick, we can greatly alleviate ailments, even an itchy throat. All this thanks to the nutrients that offer the body additional reinforcements to defend itself.
Obviously, if the discomfort persists for several days, we will need to see the doctor and follow his instructions. Finally, it is important to talk to him about these natural remedies to understand if they can help us or not, and if they are indicated in other cases.
