Need a natural sore-throat remedy

[FiddleFit]

Hi! I think I'm developing a cold, and need some suggestions for non-medicinal means of dealing with it. I am 8 weeks pregnant, so cough medicines and the like are not an option :-(

My throat is getting sorer by the hour, and my sinuses are starting to congest. Help!

Thanks,
Sandra

 

[kathryn]

For sinuses, snort salt water. Mix about a 1/4 tsp of salt with some warm water and snarf it up one nostril (don't know if "snarf" is a word, but what the heck!) clear to the back of your throat, then spit it out. Then do it up the other nostril. If you don't like the snorting idea, there are some nasal sprays at the pharmacy that are just saline (but it's cheaper to make your own). This helps dry up the nasal passages (but not too much).

For a sore throat: hot water with lemon and honey can help.

Make sure that you are humidifying well. I find that sore throats get much worse if the air is dry.

 

[ColleenM]

We used to gargle with warm salt water. My mom also swore by what she called, "the lion." Basically stick your tongue out as far as you can, 10 times...have no idea if it works or not, but she still does it when she thinks she is getting a sore throat.

Colleen

 

[toastythemosty]

Slippery Elm is a good natural herb for a sore throat. Hope you feel better soon.
Charlotte~~

 

[wendyjpa]

honey is a natural sore throat remedy, a little honey in some tea.
I second the notion for the salt water "snarf". It is supposed to work. Also, i find good old vicks vaporizer helps. I have the vaporizer you put the vicks solution in and it really opens me up when i'm congested.

take care and feel better

 

[delphene]

"Sipping" tea w/ honey ,lemon juice and a pinch of salt a few times a day will soothe your throat!

Hope you feel better soon!

 

[saia11]

Sandra,
White tea is supposed to be the best tea b/c it not only boosts your immune system, but actually kills bacteria in your body. Celestial Seasonings makes a decaf kind that is delicious. I would also second the honey and lemon additions. Garlic, garlic, garlic. You might stink, unless you can find Kyolic brand capsules, which are odorless (other brands may claim the same, but I can only smell/taste them). Or you can sub fresh garlic if it's in the house.
You probably don't want to do this b/c you're pregnant, but gargling (not Swallowing at all) with alcohol will usually wipe out the bacteria in your throat very effectively. Maybe about a year down the road you might remember and give this one a try
Feel better,
Mattea

 

[Mckmain]

I know the last time I had one. I used the salt water gargle. I tsp of salt in the hottest water I could stand. It went away by the next day!! I used to use also zinc tablets that you sucked on. Don't know if that would be bad for your preggy state or not......Carole

 

[FiddleFit]

Thank you all sooooo much! I will attempt both the salt water gargling and honey/lemon tea today.

Very much appreciated,
Sandra

 

[clareMc]

Hot lemon with honey is sworn by as the only remedy in our family.

Clare

 

[fitnurse]

You might try Echinachea (not sure of the spelling) and maybe vitamin C, Zinc and Lysine (if okay with your OB Doc) These are all naturals.

Prayers for your recovery,
Lynn