Relieve a Sore Throat With a Homemade Soothing Sore Throat Spray & Gargle

Waking up in the morning with that tell-tale tickle in the back of your throat is enough to make you want to take a sick day with a Popsicle and some Jello. I absolutely hate having a sore throat. You can't effectively swallow, you can't eat, you can't drink anything without being constantly reminded that your throat is raw and reddened.

Herbs that rock at helping soothe sore throats

There are many options that can be used effectively to help soothe sore inflamed throats. Some of these herbs are also highly antiseptic and antibacterial, and can even help to boost your immunities to help you rid your body of illness faster.

• Cayenne powder - This seems like a crazy idea right? I know that I thought What on Earth??? the first time that I read that Cayenne pepper was great in gargles for sore throats. The capsaicin in chili peppers is a natural anti-inflammatory and if you can get past the flavor on your tongue, a gargle with Cayenne pepper can completely numb the pain and help it heal so much faster!
• Cloves - Used for centuries as a natural anesthetic by Dentists all over the world, to help numb toothaches, mouth ulcers, and sore throats, cloves are highly antiseptic and antibacterial. You can either steep them in water to make tea, add a little bit of honey and gargle with it, or you can turn the clove tea into a mouth spray.
• Echinacea root - Used for centuries and clinically studied for years, Echinacea is a very well known immune boosting herb that helps speed up healing and is naturally antibacterial and anti-fungal. Echinacea is great for healing respiratory and throat infections.
• Garlic - Naturally boosting to the immunities, garlic has long been used to treat respiratory and chest infections, as well as sore throats.
• Marshmallow Root – Its mucilaginous and anti-inflammatory properties make marshmallow root great for dry inflamed throats. Marshmallow root is wonderful to soothe sore throats and dry irritating coughs, including bronchitis.
• Licorice Root - Another mucilaginous herb that helps to soothe inflammation, licorice root is great for all sorts of coughs. Its mucilaginous properties make it great for dry irritated membranes, while it’s also a natural expectorant, making it great for helping rid a wet productive cough of all the phlegm. Licorice root is also used in many syrups to help sweeten the flavor due to some of the bitter tasting herbs that many syrups contain.
• Sage leaf - One of the oldest remedies for sore throats, coughs, and mouth inflammations, just gargling and drinking a sage infusion, can bring a lot of relief! Antibacterial and antiseptic, sage tea is a great home remedy by itself! Just steep 2 Tbsp. in 1 cup of water for 30-45 minutes before straining and drinking.
• Slippery Elm Bark - Another great mucilaginous herb, slippery elm is great for all sorts of coughs and sore throats, helping to soothe inflamed membranes.
• Lemon Juice - Naturally antiseptic and antibacterial, lemons contain vitamin C and antioxidants which both help to boost the immune system and fight against infection. With naturally astringent and anti-inflammatory properties, it is a tried and true remedy for coughs and sore throats.
• Raw Apple Cider Vinegar - Naturally antibacterial, raw apple cider vinegar is an old-timey remedy for coughs and sore throats. It works by killing all the bacteria that usually causes a sore throat, as well as reducing inflammation and acting as a natural expectorant to loosen phlegm.
• Raw Unfiltered Honey - Naturally antibacterial and antiseptic, honey not only moisturizes and soothes a sore throat, but it can also aid in killing the bacteria that causes a sore throat.
• Salt - A warm salt water gargle can make all the difference in the world at helping to soothe a sore throat. Naturally antiseptic, bacteria can not survive in a salt water solution, helping to relieve a sore throat.

Sore Throat Gargle

If you would rather a gargle that is very effective, and you happen to have these ingredients in your pantry, this gargle is effective!

INGREDIENTS

• 1 Tbsp. sage leaf
• 1 Tbsp. echinacea root
• 1-2 Tbsp. salt
• a pinch of cayenne powder

DIRECTIONS

1. Combine 1/2 cup boiling water with sage and echinacea and allow the herbs to steep covered, for 30-45 minutes. Strain.
2. Add the salt and cayenne powder. Stir until combined.

TO USE

Gargle with 1-2 tsp. of Sore Throat Gargle. The longer that you can gargle with this concoction, the better! Spit out after gargling.

Marshmallow Sage Soothing Sore Throat Spray

This tasty herbal throat spray is very effective at moisturizing your throat and soothing inflammation and soreness. I really love how this spray tastes, numbs the pain, and quickly soothes a sore throat!

INGREDIENTS

• 3/4 cup filtered water
• 1 Tbsp. sage leaf
• 2 Tbsp. marshmallow root
• 1 Tbsp. echinacea root
• 3 whole cloves
• 1/4 cup peppermint hydrosol (this can be substituted with echinacea tincture, brandy, or vodka but the peppermint hydrosol is more child-friendly and works very well at relieving pain!)
• 1 Tbsp. raw unfiltered honey

DIRECTIONS

1. Bring 3/4 cup water to a boil and pour over the herbs. Allow them to steep for 30-45 minutes. Strain.
2. Add honey and peppermint hydrosol, stirring to combine.

TO USE

Shake well before use. Spray into your throat as often as needed.