In this article, My HealthCare Tips provides you with a number of wonderful home remedies for strep throat, a common throat infection that needs to be taken care of.
What is Strep Throat?
In a medical standpoint, strep throat is a common infection that affects directly the tonsils, larynx and pharynx. The infection is mostly caused by a group of bacterium, scientifically called Group A Streptococcus.
Symptoms of Strep Throat
Strep throat symptoms can last from 2 to 5 days after contacting with the strep germs and vary from:
- pain
- difficulty in swallowing
- swollen tonsils
- red spots on both hard and soft palate
- swollen lymph nodes in the neck
This condition additionally includes:
- headache
- rash
- vomiting
- fever (suddenly happens and becomes the highest on the second day)
- fatigue
- loss of appetite
When it comes to the early stage of strep throat, rashes and red spots are particularly noticeable. Since these symptoms resemble other popular ailments, especially illnesses, people can get confused between strep throat with tonsillitis and sore throat.
A recent study has reported that strep throat mainly concentrates on children under the age of 15; however, every person at any age can contract it without notification. This disease can spread from person to person who interacts with fluids from saliva and nose, typically among family members.
Home Remedies for Strep Throat
Regarding strep throat treatment, antibiotics has been commonly used for years; however, it rapidly becomes a big problem. In fact, as antibiotics are over-used and uncontrollable, you can see a significant increase in the antibiotic-resistant bacteria that are no longer taken out by antibiotics. Apart from antibiotics and over the counter medications, some home remedies for strep throat can even work better to help you treat this problem naturally and effectively.
Following are top 15 home remedies for strep throat that should be taken into consideration. These natural cures are believed to support the discomfort alleviation and accelerate the process of recovery.
1. Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar makes itself become a trusted home remedy for strep throat because of its anti-bacterial and healing properties that help eliminate the bacteria and promote the immunity to cure this infection.
How to apply:
- Add about 2 teaspoons of apple cider vinegar to a glass of warm water
- Gargle your throat with this mixture a few times per day for three continuous days
Alternatively,
- Mix a teaspoon of both apple cider vinegar and honey with a cup of warm water
- Consume the solution two times per day in several days until you notice better improvement
2. Garlic
Garlic affords immerse health benefits, including treating strep throat infection. Thanks to its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, this fresh ingredient is traditionally used as one of the excellent home remedies for various health diseases. Additionally, being rich in sulfur content, garlic helps strengthen the immune system as well as combat with infection. Manganese, selenium, vitamins C and B6 found in garlic generally improve and protect your over health.
How to apply:
- Boil a cup of water
- Add a half teaspoon of cinnamon, a teaspoon of grated garlic and some cayenne pepper to boiling water and allow it to boil for 2 minutes
- Strain and drink this warm solution for two times daily to maximize garlic’s benefits
3. Cayenne
Cayenne is one of the most amazing home remedies for strep throat because it is loaded with anti-inflammatory and antibacterial agents that help relieve the inflammation and inhibit the development of bacteria leading to strep throat. Also, the compound capsaicin present in cayenne plays an important role in getting rid of toxins as well as another infection- agent in the body.
How to apply:
- Mix a half teaspoon of cayenne pepper and a teaspoon of lemon juice with hot water
- Gargle your throat with this mixture for a few times per day
- Do the same process for two days until you notice better results
Alternatively,
- Add together cayenne powder, grated garlic cloves and honey into a bowl
- Consume a half teaspoon of this mixture every hour for a few times daily
- Try to avoid water after applying this treatment
4. Chamomile Tea
The answer on how to get rid of strep throat is no longer hard to tell because chamomile tea can become one of the most effective home remedies for this throat-related problem. This herbal tea has an analgesic compound that offers a good source of relief for throat pain, sore throat, and headache and so on.
How to apply:
- Pour a cup of hot water into dried chamomile
- Allow it to steep for 10 minutes
- Strain it into a cup and consume up to 6 times on a daily basis
5. Salt Water
Another useful tip on how to cure strep throat that should not be looked down on is salt water. This treatment can ease inflammation and reduce pain connected with strep throat. Gargling your throat with salt water containing a soothing effect helps kill the bacteria resulting in strep throat. Salt water is also extremely good treatment for oral thrush.
How to apply:
- Mix a half teaspoon of salt with a glass of water before stirring it to dissolve the salt
- Gargle your throat with warm salt water for seconds before spiting it out
- Follow this treatment regularly for several days
6. Amla
Amla becomes among top home remedies for strep throat since it is rich in vitamin C that helps both flush out the infections as well as promote the immunity.
How to apply:
- Dip grated amla in a glass of warm water
- Leave it on for 5 minutes
- Consume the solution without straining it
7. Lemon and Honey
The combination of lemon and honey helps significantly in inhibiting the growth of bacteria associated with strep throat and subsequently protecting your general health. In addition, honey can serve as a natural healing effect and keep your throat staying moisturized as well as erase both soreness and inflammation.
How to apply:
- Add a teaspoon of both lemon juice and honey to a glass of warm water
- Stir the solution slowly
- Consume this when needed for a few days to alleviate strep throat
8. Black pepper and Cloves
When combining with cloves, black pepper releases its best functioning in treating strep throat symptoms by entirely eliminating bacteria taking responsibility for strep throat infection.
How to apply:
- Add 5 cloves and a half teaspoon of black pepper to boiling water in a pan
- Stir it well and allow it to simmer for at least 5 minutes
- Add a pinch of sugar after turning off the heat
- Leave it on for 10 minutes and then strain
- Consume the solution slowly for positive result
9. Cinnamon
Cinnamon has been shown to be beneficial for treating strep throat since it contains powerful anti-inflammatory as well as antimicrobial properties that aid in reducing a wide variety of strep throat symptoms and promoting the immunity for quick and effective recovery.
How to apply:
- Pour a glass of hot water into some cinnamon powder
- Leave it on for 10 minutes
- Mix the solution with a teaspoon of honey
- Consume the solution up to four times per day until your throat is better
10. Yogurt
Due to the antiseptic property present in yogurt, it is one of the wonderful treatments for strep throat. This healthy fruit is packed with probiotics that help potentially with the returning of good bacteria and keep your immunity functioning well. To reap this amazing health benefit of yogurt, you can consume fresh yogurt to keep it staying on your throat for a long time. Do remember not to eat or drink anything after the treatment for at least 30 minutes. Apart from that, butter milk can be a great alternative.
11. Onion
The reason why onion is one of wonderful home remedies for strep throat comes from its effect of killing bacteria in the throat due to the antibacterial compounds. Known as a natural antiseptic, onion enables to speed up the process of strep throat recovery.
How to apply:
- Prepare an onion and then slice it into thick litter pieces
- Eat and swallow a few of them slowly and carefully so that the juice extracted penetrates in the throat to kill bacteria.
- Perform the treatment throughout daily
Alternatively,
- Mix three teaspoons of onion juice with a cup of hot water
- Gargle your throat with this mixture a few times daily
- Repeat this home remedy in several days to help get rid of strep throat
12. Tulsi
Learning how to cure strep throat is extremely essential since if left untreated, strep throat can develop and cause more severe health ailments. To tackle this problem, tulsi is another handy and money – saving tip. Thanks to the antibacterial, antioxidant and anti inflammatory properties in tulsi, it helps cure strep throat effectively and naturally. The process is believed to easily follow.
How to apply:
- Cut 5 raw tulsi leaves into smaller pieces
- Pour a cup of boiled water into the leaves for some minutes
- After turning off the heat, allow it to steep for 5 minutes
- Chew the leaves slowly and consume this herbal tea up to 5 times daily
13. Sage
Sage is rich in antibacterial and thereby weakening the growth of bacteria, one of the common causes of strep throat. It also helps relieve pain, inflammation and irritation.
How to apply:
- Pour a glass of hot water into a teaspoon of dried sage
- Allow it to steep for 10 minutes before straining the leaves
- Consume up to two cups of sage tea daily until the symptoms of sore throat are completely gone
Note: Pregnant or nursing women are not allowed to take this herb
14. Walnuts
The natural healing effect found in walnuts helps soothe the throat and keep it moisturized. Plus, it can eliminate the ticklish feeling in your throat.
How to apply:
- Add walnut to honey in equal amount
- Leave it on for several minutes
- Consume the solution after straining it
15. Sunflower Oil
As you have difficulties in speaking or feel hoarseness in your voice, do remember to use sunflower oil. Sunflower oil can be one of the most incredible home remedies for strep throat and offer a good source of relief of other symptoms.
How to apply:
- Prepare a teaspoon of sunflower oil
- Consume it slowly so that your throat can be surrounded by the healing agents in this oil
- Do the treatment two times per day until the hoarseness in your voice is completely treated
- Stop drinking water after applying this treatment
Additional Tips
- Stop drinking alcohol and smoking since both can cause irritation in throat
- Avoid consuming hot and cold beverages
- Do not eat spicy, irritant and oily foods to help prevent your throat from getting inflamed
- As you have illness, replace your tooth brush after that
- Wash hands usually with anti biotic soap or hot water after coughing and getting cold
- Take a rest from 6 to 8 hours per day to boost and protect the immunity
- Consume lots of water intake and other fluids to protect your throat against dehydration
- Use a humidifier to aid in reducing discomfort
