Strep throat is a contagious infection of the throat that causes you to feel itchy and sore. The infection arises from a bacterial species known as the Streptococcus bacteria. Some of the symptoms of this infection are similar to those of the typical sore throat; in addition to these however, strep throat will also cause the membrane in the back of the throat region to become swollen and inflamed. These symptoms are a result of the response mounted by the body’s immune system.

cinnamon powder and stickStrep throat is very common in school-going children during the school year since it is extremely contagious and the kids tend to spend a lot of time in an enclosed region. It is important to note that while most sore throats are viral in nature, strep throat is the result of a bacterial infection and therefore responds to antibiotics. For this reason, it is important to identify the infection and seek medical intervention. In addition to this, there are natural remedies that you may use as an adjunct treatment. The advantage of the latter is that there are almost no side-effects, making them ideal in alleviating the symptoms of strep throat and speeding up the healing process.


1. Garlic:

Time Required: 20 Min
What You Need: Fresh garlic cloves, pestle and mortar, 1/4 teaspoon of salt and pinch of cayenne pepper powder (optional). Alternatively, use the garlic, 1 teaspoon of cinnamon powder, a glass of water and a sieve.
Difficulty: Easy

 

One of the most popular and effective home remedies for managing strep throat is garlic. When crushed, garlic releases sulfur compounds that have potent anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties. Both of these healing properties are a prerequisite for the healing of the throat infection. Additional benefits of using garlic include its ability to boost the immune system as well as the provision of nutrients that include Manganese, selenium and Vitamin C. The key to getting the most of the garlic cloves is to make sure that you crush the cloves well.

Directions:

Method 1

  1. Peel and wash the garlic cloves before chopping into thin slices.
  2. Transfer the slices to a pestle and mortar and crush.
  3. Add the salt and pepper and crush some more until you get a consistent paste.
  4. Eat this paste at least thrice daily for quick healing of the throat infection.

Method 2

  1. Alternatively, grate the washed cloves and set aside.
  2. Boil the water for 2 minutes and place aside.
  3. Mix the cinnamon powder and cayenne pepper so that the resulting powder is an even dry mix of the two.
  4. Add the powder to the grated garlic and place in a pan.
  5. Add the water and let the mixture boil for 3 minutes.
  6. Sieve the mixture and let it cool for 5 minutes.
  7. Drink the mixture while still warm.
  8. Use this remedy thrice daily until the infection clears and your throat is healed.

 


2. Warm Salty Water to Gargle:

Time Required: 15 Min
What You Need: 1/2 Teaspoon of salt and a glass of water.
Difficulty: Easy

 

Warm salty water is an effective remedy for strep throat. This is because the salt present helps destroy the bacteria responsible for the infection while the warmth of the water used provides much-needed relief from the soreness. When you gargle the warm water, the combined benefits soothe the infected throat and hasten the healing process. Avoid swallowing the water, and instead use it to gargle for best results.

Directions:

  1. Heat the water so that it is just warm enough without burning your tongue.
  2. Add the salt and stir to dissolve completely.
  3. Gargle the salty solution for about 30 seconds and spit.
  4. Repeat step 3 for about 5 minutes.
  5. Make sure you use this remedy thrice or more daily until you get relief from the condition.

 


3. Apple Cider Vinegar:

Time Required: 15 Min
What You Need: 2 Tablespoons of raw organic Apple cider Vinegar, 1 glass of warm water and 1 teaspoon of honey (optional).
Difficulty: Easy

 

Raw organic apple cider vinegar (abbreviated as ACV) is a wonderful remedy for the treatment of strep throat, thanks to its excellent antibacterial properties. These healing traits allow the ACV to eliminate the bacteria, while strengthening the immune response mounted against the infection. the water is added for the purposes of dilution. This means that the amount of ACV you use may vary. If you do not mind the taste, you can always add the ACV to your daily drinking water and make sure you sip on it throughout the day for quick relief.

Directions:

  1. Add the ACV to the water and stir to mix evenly.
  2. Sip and gargle this solution for 30 seconds at a go before spitting.
  3. Repeat step 3 for about 5 minutes for best results.
  4. Use the remedy as often as you need to for relief from the sore and inflamed throat.

 


4. Lemon and Honey:

Time Required: 20 Min
What You Need: 1 Tablespoon each of both honey and lemon juice and 1 glass of warm water.
Difficulty: Easy

 

The ‘lemon and honey’ combination is a remedy which has been passed down for many years, thanks to its effectiveness. The lemon juice is packed with citric acid and Vitamin C. The acid creates a hostile environment for the bacteria, thus preventing them from growing in population.

The Vitamin C on the other hand boosts the immune system, thus allowing the body to mount a better response. Honey is added because it is a a great antibacterial and has excellent moisturization properties. By keeping the throat moist, honey is able to soothe the inflamed throat and reduce the swelling over a period of time.

Directions:

  1. Mix the honey with the lemon juice before placing the mixture in a glass containing warm water.
  2. Stir the mixture until the honey is well dispersed in the water.
  3. Sip the mixture slowly, allowing your throat to get relief from the soreness.
  4. Use this remedy severally during the day for quick recovery from the infection.

 


5. Cayenne Pepper Powder:

Time Required: 20 Min
What You Need: 1/2 Teaspoon of cayenne pepper powder, 1 tablespoon each of both honey and lemon juice. grated garlic (optional).
Difficulty: Easy

 

Cayenne powder seems like an unlikely remedy for the natural treatment of strep throat, perhaps because of its ability to trigger sneezing and nose blockage. Contrary to popular belief, cayenne powder is actually recommended for the treatment of bacterial throat infection.

The powder is packed with antibacterial properties that help deal with the Streptococcus bacteria, while its anti-inflammatory traits give you relief from the characteristic inflammation of the infected throat. The latter healing traits are attributed to the powder’s main ingredient known as capsaicin. Lemon juice, honey and garlic are added to compliment the healing powers of cayenne.

Directions:

  1. Mix the grated garlic, honey and lemon juice in a bowl.
  2. Sprinkle the cayenne pepper onto the wet mixture and mix some more until the powder is evenly distributed.
  3. Eat 1/2 a teaspoon of this cayenne pepper mixture after every hour until you get relief from the symptoms of strep throat.

Note: When using this remedy, avoid taking fluids immediately after as this dilutes the intended effect of the natural remedies.

 


6. Cinnamon Powder:

Time Required: 20 Min
What You Need: 1/2 Teaspoon of cinnamon powder, 1 teaspoon of honey and a cup of boiling hot water.
Difficulty: Easy

 

Cinnamon is a powerful remedy for the treatment of strep throat as it is laden with potent anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial healing properties. This combination of traits gives you relief from the sore throat as well as reduces the pain and inflammation at the site of infection. Regular use of cinnamon powder has also been shown to aid the body’s immune response, overall allowing for quick healing.

Directions:

  1. Place the cinnamon powder in the boiling hot water.
  2. Allow the mixture to steep for 10 minutes before stirring in the honey.
  3. Sip this mixture severally during the day, preferably on an empty stomach.
  4. Do this until you get relief from the throat infection.

 


7. Add Soothing Foods to Your Daily Diet:

Time Required: Varied depending on the choice food
What You Need: Soothing foods
Difficulty: Easy

 

One of the most uncomfortable symptoms of strep throat is the difficult swallowing that makes it difficult to feed. To counter this symptom, one of the best things you can do for yourself is to indulge in foods that soothe the throat, and more importantly, those that are easy to swallow. In this regard, you probably should add bone broths, mashed potatoes, boiled eggs and applesauce to your meal plans. Cooked cereal also works wonders for many people, so you could try that out too.

Interestingly, a number of people find cold foods just as effective. Frozen yogurt and popsicles are a popular option. At the end of the day, you simply need to choose what works for you. It is advisable, however, to steer clear of extremely spicy foods as this tend to aggravate the infection’s symptoms and leave you feeling worse. As mentioned above, the time required for the different foods will vary accordingly.

Directions:

  1. Simply prepare your choice food(s) using your preferred recipes.

 


8. Chamomile Tea:

Time Required: 20 Min
What You Need: 2 Tablespoons of dried chamomile flowers, 1 cup of hot water, 1 tablespoon each of lemon juice and honey and a sieve.
Difficulty: Easy

 

Chamomile tea is a popular home remedy for different conditions, thanks to its relaxing properties. These soothing traits are what make it ideal for treating strep throat. The addition of honey and lemon juice amplifies the tea’s healing properties. Other benefits of using chamomile tea include reducing the inflammation as well as easing the soreness at the infected site.

Directions:

  1. Place the dried chamomile flowers in the hot water and allow them to steep for 10 minutes. These allows the remedy’s healing properties to be released into the water.
  2. Sieve the mixture and discard the used flowers.
  3. To the collected mixture, add the honey and lemon juice and stir.
  4. Drink this tea every 2 hours until the strep throat infection clears.

 


9. Onion Slices:

Time Required: 20 Min
What You Need: Onion slices. Alternatively, use onion, grinder, clean piece of cloth and 1 glass of hot water.
Difficulty: Easy

 

Onion is an effective antibacterial, which is why it is included in the list of natural home remedies for treating strep throat. This healing property allows it to eliminate the bacterial population all the while speeding up the process of healing. You may either use the onions in their raw form or steep the onion slices in hot water to get juice as indicated in the directions below.

Directions:

Using the Raw Onion

  1. Peel the onion and wash well.
  2. Chop the onion ring into thick slices.
  3. Chew on this onion slices to release the natural juices and swallow slowly to allow the onion’s healing properties take effect.
  4. Use this remedy as and when required until you get relief.

Preparing Onion Juice

  1. Chop the onion and grind to get a paste-like substance.
  2. Transfer the paste to the clean piece of cloth.
  3. Tug the cloth in opposite directions to exert force that will allow you to squeeze the juice out into a bowl.
  4. Add 4 tablespoons of the onion juice to the glass of hot water and stir.
  5. Gargle using the onion juice for about 30 seconds and spit.
  6. Repeat step 5 for about 5 minutes.
  7. Use this remedy consistently for 1 week or until the infection clears.

 


10. Stay Hydrated:

Time Required: All day
What You Need: Warm drinking water to sustain you throughout the day. Mint or lemon wedges (optional).
Difficulty: Easy

 

One of the key ways to manage soreness when suffering from a strep throat is to make sure that you stay hydrated. Drinking water moistens the throat, reduces the difficulty associated with swallowing as well as keeps your body better positioned to fight off the bacterial infection. Warm water is preferred as it soothes the infected throat. If you have not made this a habit, consider adding mint or lemon wedges to ease you through it.

Directions:

  1. Keep a bottle of warm water at hand to sip on during the day.

 


Note that Strep throat may pose potential risk for small children, For this reason, if the infection does not show any signs of improvement after using for a few days, make sure you seek professional medical services on the way forward. This also prevents the risk of contracting serious inflammatory conditions.