HOME REMEDIES FOR SORE THROAT

CAUSES OF SORE THROAT

Allergies, dry air, and outdoor pollution, as well as illnesses like the common cold, flu, measles, chickenpox, mononucleosis (mono), and the croup, can all cause sore throats. These illnesses are all viral infections that will not respond to antibiotics.

Bacterial infections are responsible for only a small percentage of sore throats, including those linked with strep throat, whooping cough, and diphtheria. Most doctors recommend calling a doctor only in cases of severe sore throat accompanied by a fever, or when swollen tonsils block the throat.

Honey and Lemon Juice for a Sore Throat

Lemon dries up congestion and honey provides a soothing coating, says Lane Johnson, MD, associate professor of clinical family and community medicine at the University of Arizona College of Medicine. In fact, a recent study found that a spoonful of honey eased kids' coughs even better than cough medicine. Mix together a tablespoon of each, microwave for 20 seconds until warm (not hot), and have your child swallow the mixture a teaspoon at a time. Caution: Honey is not safe for babies under 1 year.

Salt Water

Your mother may have recommended gargling with salt water. If so, she was probably right. According to Student Health Services at the UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT, gargling with warm salt water can help soothe a sore throat and break down secretions. It’s also known to help kill bacteria in the throat.

Peppermint

The main active compound in peppermint is menthol. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, menthol is soothing, numbing and calming for sore throats. Furthermore, a report published in the journal "Harefuah" in 2008 suggests that peppermint has anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial and anti-viral activities. Taking peppermint may therefore help to destroy the infective organisms that are causing the sore throat.

Preliminary research suggests that peppermint may help to relieve your sore throat. A study, published in the journal "Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine" in 2010, evaluated the effectiveness of peppermint oil in combination with essential oils of four other plants for treating sore throat, hoarseness or cough due to a respiratory tract infection. Results showed that the essential oil combination with peppermint produced immediate and significant improvement in symptoms when compared to a placebo. These effects were diminished after three days of treatment.

CHUKKU KAPPI (SOUTH INDIAN)

If you ever have or you see your loved ones suffering from cough, cold or sore throat. Then this is a amazing medicine you could make for them to get instant relief from that. This kappi really works wonders, you can make them in bulk and keep covered. Then reheat it and give them through out the day. You will find considerable relief immediately.


Make the powder in bulk and store them in a air tight container. So you can make it as you like. 

Preparation Time : 10 mins
Cooking Time: 5 mins
Makes - App 1 cup of chukku powder

Ingredients:

For Chukku Powder:
Dry Ginger Powder / Chukku Podi- 1/2 cup
Coriander Seeds / Malli - 2 tblspn
Cumin Seeds / Jeerakam - 1 tsp
Peppercorns - 1 tsp
Panakarkandu / Rock Candy - 3 tblspn (Optional)

For One Serving Kapi:
Water - 1 cup 
Chukku powder - 1 tsp
Karupatti / Palm Jaggery - 1 tblspn or to taste 

Method:

Take all the ingredients given in the list of chukku podi in a blender. Make this into a fine powder. Store this in a air tight container.

Now make the kapi, take water in a sauce pan. Add chukku podi and karuppati in it. Mix well.

Simmer this for 2  to 3 mins.

Now strain this and discard the solids.

Pour into glass. Serve hot.