I'm a real stickler for not taking medicine unless it's absolutely necessary (ie antibiotics for infections and things like that). My throat started hurting today, and I just want something that will relieve the pain. I'm almost certain it's allergies, but of course I'm not completely sure. The only time I've been sick in the past 5 years is from allergies, so that's what makes me think that's the culprit, and I don't have anything else like runny nose or cough.
Any suggestions on a way to ease the pain? I've had a ton of mints and Ricola drops, gargled (sp?) with warm salt water, but of course those only work for about a minute or so.
Thanks for any info.
At the health store I used to find lozenges made of slippery elm bark. They worked wonders. Don't remember the name, but they were in a pink box.
Perhaps your sinuses are draining - join the crowd! Try a sinus rinse. You can buy them at most pharmacies. You mix a saline solution with sterile water in a strange little bottle and follow the directions. Hope you feel better soon. I'm under the allergy cloud as well!
Hi M.. I agree with the others that it's best to try some alternative health methods before diving into antibiotics and the like. I represent Arbonne International and have been totally impressed with the "Get Well Soon" dietary supplement. I too rarely get sick, but when I do, it seems to be tied to allergies too. So, when I start to feel that itchy throat, runny nose or cough, then I take Arbonne's "Get Well Soon" supplement. And, I avoid getting sick altogether. I LOVE IT! Here's more info:
Get Well Soon Dietary Supplement
A technologically-advanced combination of herbs and other ingredients scientifically proven to help nutritionally support the immune system.
These two products are also great when you do come down with something to ease the aches and pains.
Herbal Vapor Rub
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Herbal Vapor Soak
Enjoy these natural bath salts enriched with eucalyptus leaves and natural oils.
I also use Arbonne's Smart Hybrid Nutritional Supplements to help keep my immune system working well. If you'd like to try some samples or do some more research, please feel free to check out my website at: www.mandyolsen.myarbonne.com.
Good luck!
Sincerely,
M. O.
Executive Area Manager and Independent Consultant
Arbonne International
www.mandyolsen.myarbonne.com
###-###-####
My mother-in-law swears by drinking a plain old Coke for sore throat or hot tea with honey. Also try a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar every four hours or so til it's gone and then once a day every day as a preventative. I don't know what makes it work but it does!! Good luck!
M.,
Listerine or peroxide is always good for a sore throat. Also Halls vitamin C drops are great b/c they taste great and feel good to your throat and also have tons of vitamin C in them to help your body clear infection naturally.
H.
I usually gargle twice a day with Listerine. I let it get as far back as possible in the throat without swallowing. It not only numbs but kills any bacteria festering.
This might sound weird, but I drink hot flavored jello when I have a sore throat due to allergies. It is something my mom started when we were kids and it works for me. It might be psychosymatic, but it works. I just buy my favorite flavor and heat up 2 cups of water dissolve and drink. I know a little unorthodox, but it is good and works for me!!! Let me know if you try it!
I know how you feel about not taking medication - I'm the same way.
I used to get sore throats all the time, and I used to drink hot water with honey. If the taste of that isn't something you can deal with, you could get a chamomile tea and put honey in that.
Hope this helps!
Definetly try a neti pot/ saline rinse, and there is a homeopathic cough syrup made w/ honey you can try from Healthy Approach or Market Street.
D.
Ok it sounds os nasty but gargle with hygrogen poroxide. It tastes so nasty but it works. This sounds really silly but advil or Ibprophen works too.
Keeping in mind that herbs are medicines in lower doses and different packaging and that you must self diagnose to get the right ones, correctly. Let me just add that I have taken these herbs for years myself because, as you said, we don't always need the antibiotics and such. If after a few days, the throat is sorer, the cough is worse, I am running a fever or many other symptoms I consult my Dr.
Having said all of that, I take Golden Seal with Echinacea every 4 hours for 2 days. You can either take it in pill form or a distillation that can be put into your beverages. I like that the best during the day because i can mix it in warm liquid (like teas) and it is really soothing on a sore throat. I can really tell when it is time to take more, I become more congested, more sneezing and sniffling and much sorer throat. It seems to help within a few minutes as well if I take it in the teas. Any tea seems to help and you can even put it in coffee if you want to.
I hope this helps.
K.
Might not be the best suggestion for a teacher however I was training for Opera a few years ago and what we did for a soare throat was a warm shot of tequila with honey and a lemon or lime your choice :) works wonders. Good luck sorry it hurts :(
I know you said you don't like the medicine route - I do find that with my allergies if I do a combo - I have a neti pot and use that, use a nasal spray called Xlear (pronouced Clear - it has saline and Xylitol in it - Xylitol keeps infection stuff from being able to attach to the mucus membranes. It's a surgar alcohol, so it's sweet). Then when the sore throat thing really acts up - I do reach for a mucus thinner (I use mucinex), vitamin C (a natural decongestant), and lots of water with lemon in it. The lemon in the water causes your mouth to water which helps wash the thinned mucus down your throat with much less irritation.
Hope that helps!
Liz - fellow allergy sufferer ;-)
Gargle with warm salt water. Take 1-2 tabelspoons of honey every few hours...that is what my Granny used to do with me and I still do it today.
K.
As well as the nasal irrigation, to which I would suggest adding something called Neti Wash Plus:
http://www.chinaberry.com/prod.cfm/pgc/12100/sbc/12107/in...
(You can find this at some health food stores like Roy's Natural Market in Dallas I know for sure - Sprouts might have it).
Try zinc lozenges - up to 5 10mg lozenges per day for a couple days usually makes a huge difference for myself (and kids).
Also, Sambucol is a favorite in our house. It's elderberry extract based:
http://www.iherb.com/store/ProductDetails.aspx?c=Herbs&am...
(You should be able to find this at Health Food Stores and Sprouts and Whole Foods)
