Symptoms of strep throat
Strep throat’s symptoms do vary from one person to the next. While some people may suffer relatively mild cold-like symptoms such as a sore throat, many other people are afflicted by severe symptoms such as fever and an inability to swallow. Many of the symptoms arise within five days of exposure to the bacteria. Here is a list of the most common symptoms of strep throat:
• Sudden fever (above 100 ˚F)
• Sore throat that appears red with white patches
• Headache
• Chills
• Lost appetite
• Swollen lymph nodes (in neck)
• Inability or trouble swallowing
NOTE: It is recommended that you see a doctor if you present any of these common strep throat symptoms. The following home remedies can be used alongside any prescribed medicine, and are also good preventative measures.
10 Home Remedies for Strep Throat
1. Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar contains many healing properties for ridding your system of bacteria and helping your immune system combat strep throat. Try the following:
• Add 1–3 tsps. apple cider vinegar to a cup a warm water. Gargle this several times per day, for around two or three days.
• Add 1 tbsp. apple cider vinegar and 1 tbsp. honey to a glass of warm water. Drink two times a day until you feel better (a few days).
2. Cayenne
Cayenne is a pungent spice with various antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that help stop the causes of strep throat. The compound capsaicin is also present in cayenne, and this can help flush toxins and other infectious materials out of your body. Try the following:
• Mix ¼ tsp. cayenne powder, 1 tbsp. honey and 3 grated garlic cloves. Take ½ tsp. of this every half hour or hour throughout the day. Try to avoid drinking any water right after you do so.
• Add ¼ tsp. cayenne pepper and 1 tbsp. lemon juice to a glass of hot water. Gargle this throughout the day. Do so for one or two days and you should see your condition improve greatly.
3. Garlic
As garlic is both anti-inflammatory and antibacterial, is it used to fight many infections, including strep throat. Furthermore, garlic has a high sulfur content which helps the body fight off this infection by improving the functioning of the immune system. Garlic is also packed with healthy manganese, vitamins B6 and C, and Selenium. Try the following:
• Several times a day, suck on a piece of fresh garlic clove sliced in half. Now and then you may wish to crush the slice with your teeth and release its healing juices.
• If that doesn’t appeal to you, try boiling a cup of water and adding 1 tsp. grated garlic, ¼ tsp. cinnamon with a pinch of cayenne pepper. Boil this for 2 minutes more before straining and drinking warm. Do this twice a day until you improve.
4. Salt Water
This simple solution is one of the very best, because it will help deal with the pain and the inflammation caused by strep. Simply gargle with warm salt water to kill the bacteria responsible for the strep. Try the following:
• Mix ½ tsp. salt to 1 cup warm water. Stir thoroughly until the salt is dissolved. Gargle for a just a few seconds before spitting it out. Do this throughout the day every now and then for a day or two.
5. Lemon and Honey
Lemon contains vitamin C, which is great for fighting the bacteria growth that strep throat is caused by. While the honey will maintain good moisture levels in the throat to assuage and prevent soreness and inflammation. Try the following:
• Add 1 tbsp. honey and 1 tbsp. lemon juice to a cup of lukewarm water. Drink with slow sips as frequently as you need for several days.
6. Sage
Sage is also excellent, thanks to its antibacterial properties, at slowing the bacteria growth by which strep throat is caused. It can relieve your pain, irritation and inflammation too. Try the following:
• Mix 1 tsp. dried sage into a cup of hot water. Cover the cup and let it brew for 10 minutes. Strain leaves and drink. Drink twice daily until your condition fully improves.
• You could also combine 1 tsp. salt and half a lemon’s juice and add to half a cup of hot sage tea. Gargle with this three or four times per day for two days.
NOTE: Pregnant or nursing mothers shouldn’t consumer sage.
7. Chamomile
Chamomile can provide relief from your throat or even headache pain thanks to its powerful analgesic properties. Furthermore, chamomile is rich in anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic and soothing properties. Try the following:
• Mix 2-3 tsps. dried chamomile flowers into 1 cup hot water. Brew for 5-10 minutes, strain and add honey and lemon juice. Drink three or four times per day for two or three days.
8. Cinnamon
Cinnamon will not only boost your recovery by powering your immune system, it will also provide relief for many common symptoms of strep thanks to its strong antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. Try the following:
• Add ½ tsp. cinnamon powder to 1 cup boiling water. Steep for 10 minutes, then add 1 tsp. honey. Drink three or four times per day until your condition improves.
9. Onion
Onion is both an antiseptic vegetable able to speed up your recovery and an antibacterial agent perfect for killing accumulated throat bacteria. Try the following:
• Slice 1 onion into several thick slices. Chew on a some of these slices, swallowing slowly and allowing the onion juice to work on your throat bacteria. Do this throughout the day.
• An alternative to onion chewing is to make an onion tea, by adding 3 or 4 tbsp. onion juice to 1 cup hot water. Gargle several times in a day, and repeat for several days.
10. Sunflower Oil
If you find strep throat is making speaking difficult, you can make good use of sunflower oil. This oil easily combats strep throat’s soreness, providing relief. Try the following:
• Drink 1 tsp. sunflower oil slowly in order to coat your throat. Do so twice per day, until the hoarseness is gone. Don’t drink water right after doing this.
Extra Tips
• To give your body plenty of energy and strength to combat strep, make sure you rest sufficiently.
• Drink enough water to prevent becoming dehydrated.
• Consider purchasing a humidifier to improve the air conditions in your environment.
• Choose soothing foods such as yogurt, soft fruits, mashed potato, cooked cereals, soup, broths. You may also treat yourself with sucking deserts to soothe your throat, such as ice cream or popsicles.
• Suck some hard candies or lozenges.
• Keep away from things that may irritate you, like paint and cleaning fumes or cigarette smoke.
• Don’t smoke or drink.
H/T: top10homeremedies.com
Cover image courtesy of depositphotos
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Dry Mouth Causes and Treatments
8 Foods That Will Relieve Your Sore Throat
17 Body Tricks that Will Make You Feel Better
Image courtesy of depositphotos
Image courtesy of depositphotos
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