The fall and winter months are common times of the year for a variety of ailments, with a sore throat at the top of the list.
When this hits, you’ll find it difficult to eat, drink, swallow, and even exercise. While there are times when it makes sense to visit your doctor, such as to determine if you have strep throat, there are also a variety of home remedies to experiment with. These include but are not limited to:
· Rest: In addition to getting enough sleep, make sure you give your throat a rest. Don’t talk too much, scream, or eat foods that are rough or spicy.
· Drink more: Not only does this prevent dehydration, but it also keeps your throat moist. Of course, be sure to avoid alcohol and caffeine, as both of these can cause more harm than good.
· Drink warm liquids: For example, caffeine-free tea and water will soothe your sore throat.
· Gargle with saltwater: At least once a day, add ½ teaspoon of salt to eight ounces of warm water and gargle.
The nice thing about these home remedies is that once you find one that works, you can continue to rely on it throughout the season.
Jennifer Ferdinand, owner of Serendipity Wellness Studio in Burke, VA, has been practicing massage therapy and esthetics since 2006. She is nationally certified through NCBTMB, and licensed in Virginia for both Massage Therapy and Esthetics.