You might feel pain, itchiness or irritation in the throat sometimes. The condition is generally accompanied by difficulty while swallowing food and liquids. The pain in the throat may get worse when you try to swallow. The pain is the primary symptom of a strep throat. There are some antibiotics that you can use to treat strep throat. But the home remedies for strep throat is quite beneficial. Read this article to get some home remedies for strep throat.
A strep throat is an infection of the throat that affects the tonsils, pharynx, and larynx. It is contagious and the common symptoms are white patches of the throat, sore throat, stomach ache, vomiting, loss of appetite, fever and difficulty while swallowing. The strep throat usually affects children between ages 5 and 15. It mostly occurs during the winter months. Treating it on time can limit the spread of the strep throat to other people.
Symptoms of Strep Throat:
- Pain in the throat
- Difficulty while swallowing
- Fever
- White patches in the throat
- Swollen lymph nodes in the neck
- Sore throat
- Red and swollen tonsillitis
- Nausea and vomiting
- Loss of appetite
Causes of Strep Throat:
- Outdoor pollution
- Dry air
- Allergies
- Illness like flu and common cold
- Bacterial infection
How Long Does Strep Throat Last?
Within the immediate treatment with antibiotics and home remedies, it can improve in 2 to 5 days and up to a week. However, make sure, you continue the medicines or home remedies for strep throats for that days it has been prescribed.
Best Home Remedies for Strep Throat:
1.) Gargle with Salt Water to Treat Strep Throat
Gargling with warm salt water is one of the best home remedies for strep throat treatment. When you feel a pain in the throat or a sore throat, the cells in the mucous membranes becomes inflamed and swollen. Gargling with salt water helps to decrease the swelling. The primary function of the salt is to draw out water which helps to shrink the swollen cell and ease the pain. It will also help to remove the excess mucous and allow your stuffy nose to drain properly.
Directions to Use Warm Salt Water:
- Take 1 cup of warm water and half tsp of salt. Thoroughly mix the salt in water.
- Gargle with salt water and repeat it 3 times in a day.
2.) Cayenne to Get Relief from Strep Throat
Cayenne is the effective home remedy for strep throat. This spice has anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that will help to reduce inflammation and control the growth of the bacteria which causes strep throat. The capsaicin compound in cayenne will flush out the toxins and other infection.
Directions to Use Cayenne:
- Mix 1 tbsp of honey, ¼ tsp of cayenne powder and 3 grated garlic cloves.
- Consume this one-half tsp of this mixture in every one hour.
- Don’t drink water immediately after having this mixture.
3.) Ginger to Cure Strep Throat Naturally
Ginger is the best home remedy for strep throat treatment as it is packed with many properties that will help you to get relief from pain. It also works great as a cold remedy. Ginger will help to loosen and expel mucus from your respiratory system because the aroma of ginger opens up your sinuses. It helps to boost your circulation, increase oxygen to your cells, flush out the toxins and speed up the healing process. Being an anti-inflammatory, it will fight off bad bacteria.
Directions to Use Ginger:
- Warm 2 to 3 cups of water.
- Cut the ginger into small pieces and add it to this warm water.
- Boil it for 3 to 5 minutes.
- Now add a little honey to it.
- Enjoy it while it is still warm.
4.) Chamomile Tea to Get Relief from Step Throat Naturally and Fast
Chamomile is one of the best home remedies for strep throat. The effective components in chamomile will kill the bacteria while it acts as a natural painkiller. The anti-spasmodic properties in chamomile will help the pain to calm down. It is very soothing herb which will help you to get relief from pain and irritation in the throat. Moreover, the warmth of tea will also help to treat strep throat.
Directions to Use Chamomile Tea:
- Boil a cup of water and add 1 tsp of chamomile tea in it.
- Cover the tea and allow it to steep for ten minutes.
- Mix a bit of honey and lemon juice in it.
- Drink it as much as needed.
5.) Lemon and Honey to Get Rid of Strep Throat Fast
The vitamin C in the lemon will help to control the growth of bacteria that causes strep throat. Being a natural healing agent, honey will keep the throat well moisturised and relieve inflammation and soreness.
Directions to Use Lemon and Honey:
- Take a cup of lukewarm water and mix 1 tbsp of honey and lemon juice in it.
- Sip this solution slowly.
- Drink it for several days to treat strep throat.
6.) Apple Cider Vinegar to Get Rid of Strep Throat Fast
It is one of the staple kitchen ingredients, that comes handy for treating numerous health problems. Apple cider vinegar is the effective home remedy for treating strep throat. The high level of acidity of apple cider vinegar will kill bacteria efficiently. When it is mixed with honey it will soothe the soreness in your throat.
Directions to Use Apple Cider Vinegar:
- Take 1 tbsp of apple cider vinegar, 1 tbsp of honey and mix them with very warm water.
- Drink this solution while it is still warm.
- If you don’t want to swallow it then take 2 tbsp of apple cider vinegar with half cup of warm water.
- Gargle with this solution once in a day.
- Do any of the above remedy 2 times a day until you see effective results.
7.) Garlic to Treat Strep Throat Fast and Naturally
Garlic is one of the best-known home remedies for strep throat. The allicin compound in garlic will help to kill the bacteria that fight the germs which cause pain and irritation. It inhibits the growth of the bacteria.
Directions to Use Garlic:
- Take 1 garlic clove and place it on each cheek and suck it like a candy.
- Crush your teeth against it to produce the allicin, but you don’t need to bite it.
- Try it once daily.
8.) Licorice Root Tea to Get Rid of Strep Throat Naturally and Fast
Drinking licorice root tea is very helpful to get some relief from the strep throat. The anti-inflammatory and anti-viral properties of licorice root will help to decrease irritation and swelling. It helps to soothe mucous membranes in your throat.
Directions to Use Licorice Root Tea:
- Mix 1 cup chopped dry licorice root tea, half cup cinnamon chips, 2 tbsp of whole cloves and a half cup of chamomile flowers.
- Now store them in a glass jar to use it later.
- To prepare the tea, take 3 tbsp of this tea mix and add it to two and a half cups of cold water.
- Boil this solution over medium heat and simmer for ten minutes.
- Strain the solution and pour it into a large mug and enjoy the drink.
9.) Baking Soda to Cure Strep Throat Fast
Baking soda is an effective home remedy for treating strep throat. The antibacterial properties of baking soda will help to kill the bacteria in the throat. The slightly alkaline pH in baking soda will soothe the minor skin irritation such as rashes and bug bites.
Directions to Use Baking Soda:
- Heat 1 cup of water, add half tsp of salt and half tsp of baking soda to it.
- Place this solution in your throat and let it sit for a moment.
- Follow this 2 times daily.
10.) Sage to Treat Strep Throat Naturally and Fast
Sage is one of the best home remedies for strep throat treatment. Being an astringent, it helps to reduce swelling. The phenolic acids in sage are best known to fight and kill the bacteria that can be the culprit to your symptoms. Using it in the form of gargle is the best way to use it.
Directions to Use Sage:
- Boil a cup of water and add 2 tsp of sage leaves in this water.
- Cover and let it steep for 20 minutes.
- Strain the drink, add salt and gargle with it as needed.
11.) Pomegranate to Get Rid of Strep Throat Fast
Pomegranate is packed with beneficial properties which help to fight off infection with anti-oxidants. Thus it is of the best remedies for strep throat. Being an astringent, it will help to reduce the swelling in your throat, in turn, reduce the pain.
Directions to Use Pomegranate:
- Peel the pomegranate and boil the rinds for 15 minutes in 3 to 4 cups of water.
- Drink this tea or you can use to gargle for at least 30 seconds.
- Dry the rinds in an airtight jar. When you get sick, take the dry rinds.
- If you don’t want to make the tea, drink it or gargle with pomegranate juice at least 3 times in a day.
12.) Cloves to Treat Strep Throat Fast
Cloves are one of the best home remedies for strep throat treatment. They are used to ease the pain in the mouth and throat. Being an antiseptic, it will help to prevent strep throat. It works as a pain-killer because it contains eugenol. Eugenol is a natural pain killer and antibacterial as well. When you chew whole cloves, it will release eugenol and numb the pain in your throat.
Directions to Use Cloves:
- Take a clove or 2 into your mouth and suck it when it becomes soft.
- Chew it like a gum.
- Afterwards, swallow it and use it as needed.
13.) Cinnamon to Treat Strep Throat at Home
Cinnamon is a spice that is used to add a nice flavour and aroma to curries and rice. Well, the same spice can also help to treat strep throat as well. It is packed with the inflammatory and antimicrobial properties that works in the favour and help to cure the strep throat. And not to forget, it also boosts the immune system for speedy recovery.
Directions to Use Cinnamon:
- In a cup of boiling water, add a dash of cinnamon powder.
- Leave the mixture in the room temperature for while.
- After a few minutes drink this solution sip by sip.
- For added benefit and taste you can add a tablespoon of honey to it.
- Take this mixture two times a day.
14.) Onion for Strep Throat Treatment
Though it does not smell good, but trust us it is one of the wonderful remedies for strep throat. It has antibacterial agents that inhibit the growth of the bacteria and help in the speedy recovery.
Directions to Use Onions:
- Take an onion and slice it. Chew the slices and swallow it slowly. While swallowing, the juice will extract which will stops the growth of the bacteria and speed up the recovery.
- Alternatively, you can gargle with onion juice mixed with the hot water for strep throat treatment.
- Do this various times in a day, to get effective results.
15.) Sunflower Oil for Strep Throat Treatment
Last, not least, you can also use sunflower oil to treat the strep throat. It will soothe the soreness and give you relief from other symptoms as well.
Directions to Use Sunflower Oil:
- Take a teaspoon of sunflower oil and sip it slowly. The oil will make a coat around the tongue that helps in the treatment.
- Repeat this two a day until you see the satisfactory results.
- Make sure, you do not drink water immediately after sipping on the oil.
Things to Do to Treat Strep Throat:
- During strep throat, rest as much as you can. It is the best remedy.
- Another best tip to cure strep throat is, drink plenty of water. It will prevent the dehydration.
- You can also place a humidifier in your room.
- Consume soothing foods such as soups, broths mashed potatoes and cooked cereal, etc.
- Avoid smoking and alcohol.