12 Home Remedies For Sore Throat And Dry Cough During Winter

With the onset of winter, breathing in dry air can suck moisture from the throat, leaving it dry, scratchy, and uncomfortable, making you more prone to a sore throat. Therefore, instead of running to a pharmacy, it is essential to know some home remedies for dry cough and sore throat.

What you need to know:

What are the main causes of a sore throat?
How to cure a sore throat?

What are the main causes of a sore throat?

In addition, a persistent dry cough can irritate the nerves in the back of the throat. The feeling of waking up every time from an uncontrollable and constant cough is accompanied by back and neck pain and a burning sensation in the chest. A dry cough can result from a viral infection, such as a cold or influenza, dust or pollen allergy or pollution, asthma, tuberculosis, smoking, laryngitis, certain types of lung diseases, or post-nasal drip, that is mucus secretion drainage from the nose or sinuses down the back of the throat. The invasion of foreign particles may cause swelling inside the throat, which can also lead to a hoarse voice and swollen red tonsils apart from cough and cold.

How to cure a sore throat?

Home remedies for dry cough and sore throat

Here is a list of home remedies to overcome a dry cough and sore and itchy throat:

Warm drinks:

Keep your throat warm and hydrated whenever you have a cold or cough. Drinking warm beverages like warm water, broth, and herbal and green tea may help relieve your symptoms and reduce throat irritation, which can make you feel better.
Saltwater gargles:

One of the most effective home remedies for sore throat is gargling saltwater. It reduces throat inflammation and reduces bouts of cough. All you need to do is stir half a teaspoon of salt in warm water until it dissolves and gargle this solution.
Ginger:

Sore throat treatment at home is possible owing to ginger, a popular ingredient readily available in all kitchens. It is known for its anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties. It boosts the immune system and relieves the accumulated mucus in the respiratory tract. You can have ginger tea with a teaspoon of honey to get rid of a dry cough.
Raw honey:

Honey is also one of the most tried and tested home remedies for dry cough and sore throat, as it helps temper minor bacteria and viral infections. You can add two teaspoons of honey to a glass of warm water and drink it every day. Also, use honey for sore throat instead of sugar in tea as a healthy substitute.
Turmeric:

Adding turmeric to your milk, warm water, or having it raw poses immense benefits. Apart from helping you get rid of a nasty cough, it also treats bronchitis, tonsillitis, or any upper respiratory condition. Try adding half a teaspoon of turmeric to your tea with 2-3 black pepper seeds for best results.
Lemon:

Much like turmeric and honey, adding a few drops of lemon to warm water can also ease sore throat pain. Lemons are packed with vitamin C, which can boost your immune system, giving it more power to fight infections.
Herbal teas:

Drinking non-caffeinated herbal teas, including clove tea, green tea, chamomile, or peppermint tea, can reduce throat inflammation as they serve as natural lubricants. Peppermint contains menthol, which helps to clear phlegm deposits, naturally numbs the throat, and provides instant relief from pain.
Lozenges:

Chewing on lozenges and candies can provide short-term relief from coughs and increase saliva production to keep your throat lubricated.
Sleep inclined:

When we lie down to go off to sleep, mucus collects in our nose, throat, and chest, causing irritation and an incessant cough. Although sleeping on your back helps you relax and expand your lungs, it can make it difficult to breathe when you have a cold. Instead of sleeping while, you can place extra pillows under your head and let gravity pull the mucus down naturally.
Aromatherapy:

Add a few drops of eucalyptus oil to hot water and inhale the vapor to ease the symptoms of a dry cough. You can also add the eucalyptus essential oil to a diffuser, inhaler, or spritzer.
Stay hydrated:

Drink plenty of fluids to keep your throat moist, as staying hydrated can calm your cough reflex. It also hydrates the mucus membrane, thereby reducing the itchy sensation of a sore throat.
Apart from these home remedies, take the sore throat medicines that your doctor prescribes.

There might be times when these home remedies do not suffice and may not prove to be effective against stubborn cough. If you have a high and prolonged fever, face shortness of breath, fatigue, chest pain without coughing, coughing up blood, or night sweats, consult a doctor.

Stay active in the Activ Living Community to find more details on mindfulness and nutrition.