Sore Throat Health Article

Treatment

Effective treatment varies depending on the cause of the sore throat. As frustrating as it may be to the patient,

viral sore throat is best left to run its course without drug treatment. Antibiotics have no effect on a viral sore throat. They do not shorten the length of the illness, nor do they lessen the symptoms.

Treatment uses antiviral plants and herbs and vitamins to boost immunity and speed recovery.

• Aromatherapists recommend inhaling the fragrances of essential oils of lavender (Lavandula officinalis), thyme (Thymus vulgaris), eucalyptus (Eycalyptus globulus), sage (Salvia officinalis), and sandalwood.
• Ayurvedic practitioners suggest gargling with a mixture of water, salt, and turmeric (Curcuma longa) powder or astringents such as alum, sumac, sage, and bayberry (Myrica spp.).
• Herbalists recommend taking osha root (Ligusticum porteri) internally for infection, or drinking ginger (Zingiber officinale) or slippery elm (Ulmus fulva) tea for pain.
• Homeopaths may treat sore throats with superdilute solutions of Lachesis, Belladonna, or Phytolacca, yellow jasmine (Gelsemium), or mercury (Mercurius).
• Nutritional recommendations include zinc lozenges every two hours along with vitamin C with bioflavonoids, vitamin A, and beta-carotene supplements.

In the case of chronic sore throat, it is necessary to treat the underlying disease to heal the sore throat. If a sore throat is caused by environmental factors, the aggravating stimulus should be eliminated from the sufferer's environment. In the case of chronic sore throat in a child, the doctor may recommend a tonsillectomy (surgical removal of the tonsils).

Home care for sore throat

Regardless of the cause of a sore throat, there are some home care steps that people can take to ease their discomfort. These include:

• Gargling with warm double strength tea or warm salt water made by adding one teaspoon of salt to 8 oz of water.
• Drinking plenty of fluids, but avoiding acid juices like orange juice, which can irritate the throat. Sucking on popsicles is a good way to get fluids into children.
• Eating soft, nutritious foods like noodle soup and avoiding spicy foods.
• Refraining from smoking.
• Resting until the fever is gone, then resuming strenuous activities gradually.
• A room humidifier may make sore throat sufferers more comfortable.
• Antiseptic lozenges and sprays may aggravate the sore throat rather than improve it.