Natural Remedies for Throat Infection

Throat infection is caused by virus or bacteria. Viral throat infection which is caused by a virus as the name itself suggests is more contagious. The most common types of bacterial throat infections are strep throat and mycoplasma. Strep throat is caused by bacteria called streptococcus. It infects the oral pharynx and tonsils. Symptoms of throat infection are

• Pain or irritation of the throat
• Low grade fever
• Difficulty in swallowing food and liquids
• Throat redness
• Cough

Treatment of Throat Infection


Throat infection is generally treated with antibiotics. However antibiotics are effective only against bacterial infection. The most commonly used antibiotics to treat strep throat are amoxicillin and clindamycin. Some pain killers like ibuprofen and acetaminophen are also used. Viral throat infection should not be treated with antibiotics. 


Some of these medications can lead to side effects. A variety of home remedies exist for throat infection which are equally effective but would not cause any side effects. These natural remedies for throat infection stimulate the immune system to fight bacteria. 


Throat Infection Precautions


When you have throat infection it is necessary take rest and keep yourself hydrated. You have to keep away from tobacco smoke and alcohol vapors which may irritate the throat and lungs.

Herbal Remedies for Throat Infection


Several natural remedies can help to get rid of sore throat

• Different types of herbal tea can provide relief from the symptoms of sore throat. Licorice and chamomile tea provide relief from throat irritation. Chamomile tea has analgesic properties. It also prevents dehydration.

• Take a glass of warm water. Add some honey and lemon juice to it. Drinking this mixture will provide relief from the throat pain and irritation.

• Add cumin seeds and a few pieces of garlic to a glass of water and boil it. Drink it when it is lukewarm. 

• Cinnamon is a very effective remedy for sore throat. Take a glass of hot water and add a teaspoon each of cinnamon, honey and black pepper. Consume small sips of the liquid at regular intervals. 

• Sage is a herb used to treat pharyngitis and other types of sore throat in the form of tincture. It reduces the inflammation of the mucous membranes of the throat.

• To reduce the discomfort you can drink a glass of warm milk with a teaspoon of turmeric added to it. 

• Apple cider vinegar helps to treat the bacterial infection and reduce the inflammation. Add a tablespoon each of apple cider vinegar and honey to warm water. Drink it at regular intervals, holding is as long as possible in the throat before swallowing it. 

• Cut a ginger root to small pieces and boil it in a cup of water. Add two teaspoons of honey and sip it slowly. 

• Goldenseal root will provide relief from throat inflammation. Add a teaspoon of goldenseal root to half liter of water and boil it. Drink the mixture at regular intervals.

Gargle For Throat Infection

• One of the most commonly used remedies is salt water gargle. 

• Add some fenugreek seeds to water and boil it for some time. This can be used to gargle when it cools down. 

• Add a teaspoon of cayenne pepper to water and boil it. Gargling this will not only provide relief but also cure the inflammation

• Wheatgrass juice is quite effective in treating throat infection. It contains chlorophyll which helps to reduce the inflammation and pain. 

These are some of the natural remedies for throat infection which will help to cure the disease without any side effects. 

Natural Remedies for Toothache Pain

Toothache is very common and at times quite difficult to bear. Millions of people suffer from toothache sometime or the other in their life. The major reason for toothache is the cavities in the teeth or gum disease. The sugars in the food we eat are converted to acid by the bacteria in the mouth. This destroys the enamel and dentin on the teeth. Then a cavity is formed which exposes the pulp containing nerve endings and blood vessels inside the teeth. This results in pain when you consume hot or cold food. It is necessary to take proper care of the teeth from an early age. Toothache could be due a variety of other reasons also. Cracked teeth and diseases of the heart like angina can also result in toothache. A variety of natural remedies exist for toothache pain.

An age old but effective remedy for toothache is clove oil. Take some clove oil and apply to the affected teeth by a cotton swab. It relieves the pain immediately.

Grind guava leaves into a paste and apply it to the teeth. This is an effective remedy.

If you have excruciating pain and want immediate relief apply an ice pack on the cheek. This has a numbing effect and relieves the pain immediately.

Mix mustard oil and turmeric and make it into a paste. Apply it to the affected teeth.

Take a mouthful of salt water and gargle thoroughly. Repeat it several times.

Grind garlic and make a paste adding rock salt.  Apply it to the affected teeth. Garlic is an excellent antiseptic. It will help to heal the infection.

Mix asafetida and lime juice. Apply it to the affected teeth by a cotton swab. It will help to relieve toothache.

Vanilla extract will help to numb the affected teeth and relieve the pain. Vanilla extract contains eugenol which has antiseptic and pain relieving properties.

Ginger has excellent anti-bacterial properties. A slice of ginger can provide immediate relief if it is pressed to the affected teeth.

Almond oil is also very useful in relieving toothache.

Grind cayenne pepper adding some water. Apply the paste to the affected teeth.

Black tea contains tannic acid. This is an astringent and helps to relieve the pain. Dip the tea bag in hot water and hold it to the affected teeth.

These are some of the natural remedies toothache pain. If it persists consult a dentist.