To make a sore throat go away, you can try several effective home remedies and self-care measures:
Home Remedies for Sore Throat Relief
- Gargle with warm salt water: Dissolve half a teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water and gargle several times a day. This helps reduce swelling, soothe irritation, and clear bacteria from the throat
- Drink plenty of fluids: Staying hydrated with water, warm teas (such as chamomile, peppermint, or ginger), and broths soothes the throat and keeps mucus thin
- Use honey: Honey has natural antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that coat and soothe the throat. Add it to tea or take a spoonful alone. Avoid giving honey to children under 1 year old
- Eat cool or soft foods: These are easier to swallow and help avoid further irritation
- Suck on lozenges or hard sweets: These stimulate saliva production and soothe the throat but avoid giving hard sweets to young children due to choking risk
- Rest your voice and get plenty of rest: Rest helps your body fight the infection causing the sore throat
- Use humidifiers or steam inhalation: Moist air helps relieve throat dryness and irritation
- Try herbal remedies: Chamomile tea, fenugreek tea, marshmallow root infusion, licorice root, and sage-echinacea sprays have anti-inflammatory and soothing effects
- Avoid irritants: Stay away from smoking or smoky environments which can worsen throat irritation
Over-the-Counter Options
- Pain relievers like paracetamol (acetaminophen) or ibuprofen can reduce throat pain and inflammation
- Medicated lozenges or throat sprays containing local anesthetics or antiseptics may provide additional relief
When to See a Doctor
- If symptoms worsen or last more than a week
- If you have difficulty breathing, swallowing, or severe pain
- If you suspect a bacterial infection like strep throat, which may require antibiotics
Most sore throats are caused by viruses and improve within 2 to 7 days with home care
. These methods combine to soothe the throat, reduce inflammation, and support recovery naturally and safely.
