The following natural remedies for sore throat can be made by yourself

Sore throats can be caused by a variety of things, including viral and bacterial infections, allergies, irritants, and exposure to pollution, such as cigarette smoke. Treatment can vary, including with a variety of natural remedies for sore throats that are easy to find and can even be made at home. Sore throats are most often caused by viral infections, therefore the use of antibiotics to treat diseases caused by viruses is of course futile. Antibiotics should be used to kill bacteria, not viruses. Excessive use of antibiotics can cause germs to become resistant. This will lead to antibiotic resistance that is difficult to treat, even leading to deadly severe infections. Many variations of natural treatments for sore throats that can be done alone. Most of the treatments that can be done to cure a sore throat you may have known for a long time. Here are some natural remedies for sore throat that you can try at home:

1. Salt water

One natural remedy for sore throats that is very easy to make is salt water. You just mix one teaspoon of salt into a glass of warm water, and stir until evenly mixed. Gargle with your head turned up and throw up. A study found that gargling with salt water can prevent upper respiratory tract infections and fever. Gargling with salt water can also help clear the throat from phlegm. But remember, don't use too much salt and don't swallow.

2. Honey

Whether mixed with tea or taken directly, honey has long been believed to relieve sore throats. A study conducted on children affected by upper respiratory tract infections (ARI), confirmed the effectiveness of honey in relieving cough. In addition, other studies also support the claim that honey is an effective wound healer. With these properties, honey is believed to accelerate the recovery of sore throats.

3. Garlic

One of the natural ingredients that can be used to help relieve sore throats is garlic. This ability is owned because it contains antibacterial properties. Only, the best way to get the benefits of garlic as a natural remedy for sore throats is to chew it. When crushed, garlic will release compounds that have antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral properties. The name of the compound is allicin. Besides chewing as much as one clove, another way that can be used is to suck it for 15 minutes. If you are unable to eat it raw, try mixing it with other ingredients, such as honey, olive oil, or juice. However, allicin will be more effective if it is chewed raw.

4. Warm chicken soup

Never assume good food can never be used as medicine. Warm chicken soup can be used as a natural remedy for sore throats, because this warm food can help reduce irritation and dry throat. Enjoying soup when it hurts is quite easy and delicious, considering this food is easy to swallow even though the throat hurts. By consuming liquid foods, like soup, the nutrients your body needs to fight infection can still be fulfilled, while also getting additional fluids to prevent dehydration.

5. Warm tea

Drinking hot tea can also be used as a natural remedy for sore throats. Warm teas of any type, whether herbal or non-herbal, can help relieve sore throats. One reason is because tea contains antioxidants which are predicted to be able to strengthen the body's immunity and be able to help ward off infections. To be optimal, add one teaspoon of honey to a cup of tea, so that sore throat heals faster.

6. Licorice

This natural remedy for sore throat is also known as liquorice. Licorice works by reducing inflammation and helping to thin the mucus so that it can relieve the respiratory tract. You can consume it by mixing liquorice into warm tea. But keep in mind, pregnant and breastfeeding women are advised not to use licorice as a natural remedy for sore throats, because it is feared it can have an impact on babies.

In addition to using various natural remedies for sore throat that have been mentioned above, the thing that should not be forgotten is to adopt a healthy lifestyle. One of them is to stop smoking, because smoking can cause dry throat, irritation, and inflammation so that sore throat will become more difficult to heal. Adequate rest also plays an important role in curing sore throats. During sleep, the immune system will be more effective against viruses or bacteria that cause disease.