Suffering from an irritated throat? Or do you feel a pain at the throat while swallowing? Then you might be afflicted with sore throat or infection of the throat. Though there are effective modern medications to treat this ailment, use of herbs to alleviate the trouble has been in vogue since olden days.
The effectiveness of these herbs and lack of side effects make them a best bet for treating sore throat. Anyhow, before deciding upon the herb and dosage, do consult your physician for a proper course of treatment.
Herbal Remedies For Sore Throat
Ginger
The list of medicinal effects of ginger (Zingiber officinalis) is so vast that it is considered a fabulous herb for treating sore throat. Being an analgesic it relieves the pain and due to anti-microbial activity it fights the microbes causing infection of the throat.
Also ginger being an anti-inflammatory, helps to keeps down throat inflammation. The use of ginger rhizomes against cold and related ailments dates back to ancient days. Intake of ginger juice or an infusion of ginger with honey is a proven remedy for sore throat.
Licorice
The root of the licorice plant (Glycyrrhiza glabra) is considered an effective and popular remedy for sore throat. Licorice acts as a demulcent, soothing the irritated mucous membrane of the throat. Apart from the soothing action, it also reduces the inflammation of the respiratory tract and has an expectorant effect that helps to expel phlegm out of the body and reduce infection of the respiratory tract and chest. The anti-microbial activity of the root also helps to treat the infection of the throat.
Horehound
Among many medicinal uses of Horehound (Marrubium vulgare) the most reliable one is the cure of sore throat. Extract from the leaves and flowers of the plant contains minerals, essential oils, tannin and marrubiin apart from B Complex Vitamins and Vitamin C.
Marrubiin is found to decrease the thickness of phlegm and initiate mucus secretion in the bronchial passage giving a soothing effect to the irritated throat.
Slippery Elm
A tree native to North America this has been the conventional medicine for sore throat and was even listed in the US compendium of drug standards till 1960s. The inner bark of Slippery Elm (Ulmus rubra) is used for the treatment, which contains a gel like substance. This mucilage swells on absorption of water and makes the best remedy to provide a mucus coating to the irritated throat muscles and walls. This herb is available in powder or capsule form. This is a main ingredient of Lozenges for sore throat and a tea made out of the herb will work wonders on the swollen throat.
Marshmallow
The root of marshmallow (Althaea officinalis) is used as a remedy for treating sore throat. Chopped root made into a herbal tea is the most preferred form of taking this herb. Marshmallow is a demulcent which sooths the inner mucus membrane of the throat and also an emollient which is a remedy for inflamed skin.
It also has mild expectorant properties which help reduce phlegm congestion. All this will do a great job in clearing a grumpy throat.
Thyme
The fluid extract or essential oil from dried leaves of Thyme (Thymus vulgaris) is used in the treatment of sore throat. Thyme contains chemicals which evade bacterial and fungal infections and also help keep irritations at bay. The main constituent of thyme extract called thymol is a powerful antiseptic, which helps to treat the infection causing a sore throat.
Calendula
The flowers of Calendula (Claendula officinalis) are used as an effective gargle in the treatment of sore throat. Due to its anti-inflammatory properties, the herb has been used traditionally in treating sore throat. Calendula flower tea is administered to treat sore throat, inflammation on mucous membrane of the throat, laryngitis and tonsillitis.
The flowers of calendula contain powerful antioxidants in the form of carotenoids, flavonoids etc, which have been scientifically proven to reduce inflammation of the throat muscles.
Myrrh
Sore throat symptoms are best alleviated by gargling with myrrh (Commiphora molmol). The herb is nowadays available as capsule, tincture, essential oil or in powder form. The medicine is derived from the dried and powdered sap that exudes from the trunk of the tree.
According to scientific studies, when myrrh is used to treat sore throat they help eliminate the bacteria causing infection and also sitmulate your immune system to produce macrophages, which are the fighting cells of our body. Hence, myrrh acts by a cure for the infection and also improves the immune system of our body to fight the throat infection.
Great Mullein
Great Mullein (Verbascum thapsus) works to alleviate sore throat especially when the condition is the outcome of a chest infection. The leaves of this herb are used to extract the medicine, which helps to dispel mucous present in the respiratory tract.
Honey Suckle Flower
This sweet tasting herb finds a prominent place in Chinese medicine for the treatment of sore throat. In Chinese terminology Honey suckle (Lonicera japonica) is termed as ‘Jin Yin Hua’, which is proved to –. possess powerful anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.
It also contains high amounts of magnesium, calcium, zinc and potassium apart from chemical ingredients like chlorogenic acid, luteolin, caffeic acid, linoleic acid etc. The stem, flower as well as flower buds contain these medicinal components which act as an antibiotic and relieve infection of the throat.
Sage
The name of this plant, Sage (Salvia officinalis) literally means ‘to heal’ in Latin. This herb has many medicinal properties and is considered as an effective medicine against sore throat. Its astringent and antiseptic properties make it an effective remedy for infection of the throat. Sage leaf extract in low doses can be administered internally to inhibit infection and irritation of the throat. Sage tea is used as a gargle for soothing the throat and getting relief from the troubles of a sore throat.
Herbal remedy for sore throat has been in practice from ancient times and today also they find increased importance in medical parlance. With the help of a physician, a perfect schedule of drugs as well as herbal supplements can be taken which will help to ward off the inflammation of throat and keep ourselves active and healthy.
