Home remedies for sore throat using herbs found around the house.
Chewing on thoroughly roasted ginger, steaming chives with honey, or drinking the juice extracted from crushed Houttuynia cordata leaves are folk remedies that effectively reduce the symptoms of sore throat.
The transitional period between seasons creates favorable conditions for bacteria and viruses to thrive, easily causing acute pharyngitis with characteristic symptoms such as sore throat, dry cough, and bronchitis.
According to physician Bui Dac Sang of the Hanoi Traditional Medicine Association, some folk remedies can help quickly alleviate these unpleasant symptoms.
Ginger is a familiar herb in Traditional Chinese Medicine with anti-inflammatory, expectorant, cold-relieving, and digestive-aiding properties. When experiencing fever, chills, or a cold, you can use 7 slices of fresh ginger and 7 onions, simmer them in a bowl of water, drink the hot decoction, and then cover yourself with a blanket to induce sweating.
People with chronic coughs or coughs with phlegm can use crushed ginger steamed with honey to suck on, or roast ginger thoroughly, slice it, and suck on it gradually to help relieve sore throats and clear phlegm. Children with prolonged coughs can bathe in water boiled with 200g of fresh ginger to soothe their bodies.
However, ginger has a warming effect, so people with a hot constitution, mouth ulcers, constipation, or those who are sweating should not consume too much of it, to avoid causing internal heat, acne, or watery eyes.
Chives are a medicinal herb rich in vitamins A and C, calcium, and natural antibiotics. People with sore throats can wash the chives, crush them, and apply them directly to the neck, leaving them in place for about 30 minutes. Another method is to steam crushed chives with honey for 15 minutes, then drink the warm liquid and gargle with the remaining pulp to soothe the throat.
Houttuynia cordata has a spicy taste and cooling properties, helping to clear heat, detoxify, and reduce inflammation. Patients can wash the Houttuynia cordata leaves, crush them, filter out the juice, and mix it with warm water to drink twice a day for 4-5 days.
Additionally, you can combine 50g of Houttuynia cordata with 20g of Glycyrrhiza glabra leaves and brew a decoction to drink daily. Another remedy is to boil Houttuynia cordata with rice water, which helps boost immunity and soothe sore throats. Simply wash 200g of Houttuynia cordata leaves, blend them, and boil them with 300ml of rice water. Strain the liquid and drink it morning and evening.
Lemon balm is an easy-to-grow herb with a mild aroma and antibacterial and expectorant properties. To treat a sore throat, you can boil a handful of lemon balm with Sài đất leaves (a type of herb), filter the liquid, and drink it twice a day. Additionally, fresh lemon balm can be used to make a steam inhalation solution, combined with ginger or onion, to relieve colds and reduce fatigue.
All of the above remedies use easily available ingredients and are simple to prepare, but require proper use and persistence. If symptoms do not improve or worsen, you should see a doctor for appropriate treatment.
