Sore Throat

A sore throat is a viral or bacterial infection characterized by an inflammation of the pharynx or the back of the throat. It mostly occurs when a person caught a cold or a flu. A strep throat infection is an infection of the pharynx caused by a group of streptococcus bacteria. 10% of sore throats are attributed to these types of bacteria. Children of ages between 5-15 are prone to strep throat infection.

Symptoms
Acute cases of sore throat are characterized of painful irritation and inflammation of the throat then followed by fever, chills, and hoarseness or laryngitis.

Other symptoms include swollen lymph gland on the sides of the neck; the back of the throat developed a reddish color and covered with grayish white substance, and difficulty in swallowing. If the nasal passages are inflamed, the patient will commit a postnatal discharge.

Patients suffering from a strep throat infection may experience one or more of the following: headache, skin rashes, stomach pains and difficulty in swallowing.

Causes
Sore throat are common among patients that is suffering from a common cold and influenza. Illnesses such as diphtheria, measles, sinusitis and even leukemia makes the individual prone to sore throat.

Homemade Remedies
Mango bark: A juice extract from a mango bark can be applied locally or made into a gargle. To make a gargle, mix 10 ml of the extract with 125 ml water.

Belleric myroblan: Mix 2 gm of belleric myroblan pulp, ¼ teaspoon of salt, ½ teaspoon of powdered long pepper, and 2 teaspoons of honey. Drink mixture to cure sore throat. Alternately, covered fried belleric myroblan fruit with wheat flour and roast it.

Bishop’s weed: Mix bishop’s weed seeds with salt for acute sore throat caused by colds.

Cinnamon: Boil 1 teaspoon of coarsely powdered cinnamon in a glass of water. Add a pinch of powdered pepper and 2 teaspoons of honey. Mixing 2-3 drops of cinnamon oil and 1 teaspoon of honey is also useful.

Fenugreek: Put 2 tablespoon of fenugreek seeds in 1 liter of cold water. Simmer for 30 minutes over a low flame. Leave to chill then use as a gargle.

Henna: A decoction made from henna leaves can be use a gargle when having sore throat.

Holy basil: Boil holy basil leaves in water to make a gargle.

Kantakari: Wash kantakari leaves thoroughly. Boil in 2 liters of water to make a gargle.

Licorice: Chew a small piece of raw licorice to soothe inflammation quickly. It is an effective remedy used in many homes in India.

Sage: Boil a handful of sage leaves in ½ liter of water. Let it cool before adding little amount of honey and vinegar to suit one’s taste. Use as a gargle or take 1 teaspoon separately.

Tea: Pour boiling water over a container filled with fresh or used tea leaves. Use as a gargle 2-3 times daily.

Tamarind: Use tamarind water as gargle or mix powdered dry leaves and bark infusion for use as gargle.

Diets
Take an orange juice and water diet for 3-5 days depending on the severity of the condition. Follow with a fruit diet for 3-4 days after the symptoms subsided.

Eat plenty of grains, nuts, seeds, fresh fruits and raw vegetables afterwards.

Further Suggestions
Administer a warm water enema 2 times a day everyday during the initial juice diet. Apply a wet pack to the throat during the day and night, at an interval of 2 hours. This could be done by soaking a clean piece of linen cloth in cold water, squeeze it, then wrap it 2-3 times the affected area. Cover with a flannel cloth. Gargle the mouth several times during the day.

Take a hot Epsom salt daily.

Applying dry friction can also help.

Perform exercises and deep breathing everyday for a healthier system.