Sore Throat

Description

A sore throat is an inflammation of the throat tissues.

Symptoms

Sore throats are often accompanied by dryness rawness, unpleasant swallowing, and continuous urges to clear the neck, enlarged lymph nodes in the neck, a fever, hoarseness, or laryngitis in advanced cases.

Trigger

Sore throats are usually brought on by viral infections, but can also be due to bacterial infections, tonsillitis, overuse of the voice, exposure to irritating substances such as tobacco smoke, allergic reactions, bacterial infections of the mouth, and/or common colds and flu.

Caution: Sore throats are rarely serious. Nevertheless, if your sore throat does not heal within two weeks, and/or occurs with a rash, seek instant medical attention. Severe sore throats are usually the result of a Streptococcal infection (strep throat) and must be identified and treated by a doctor. If not, Strep Throat could create rheumatic fever or acute glomerulonephritis (disease from the glomerulus, a network of blood capillary vessels of the renal system).

Natural Cures

Aromatherapy: Inhalations with benzoic, lavender, thyme, eucalyptus, geranium, lavender, clary sage, or even sandalwood might help relieve signs and symptoms.

Diet: Increase your intake pure filtered water, hot herbal teas, diluted fruit drinks, and broths. Eat an organic whole foods diet that stresses fresh vegetables and vegetable sauces. Avoid all sugars, alcoholic beverages, milk and dairy products and any and all meals to which you’re allergic or sensitive. Raw organic sweetie placed at the rear of the neck can also soothe pain and symptoms and speed healing.

Blossom Essences: Crab Apple.

Herbal treatments: If your sore throat is due to an infection, chew a small piece of osha root (Ligusticum porteri) and/or gargle with an infusion of sage or licorice. For any sore throat caused by smoke or air pollution, gargle an infusion of lavender or hyssop. Additional useful herbal treatments include Echinacea, garlic, ginger, goldenseal, as well as slippery elm.

Homeopathy: Useful homeopathic remedies include Ferrum phos., Lachesis, Ignatia, Arnica, Aconite, Hydrastis, Gelsemium, Merc sol., as well as Phytolacca.

Hydrotherapy: Hydrotherapy is the process of applying water, ice, steam and alternating cold and hot temperatures to restore health. Treatments include total body immersion, steam baths, saunas, sitz baths, colonic irrigation, and the application of warm and cold compresses. Hydrotherapy is effective for treating an array of conditions and can easily be used in the home as part of a personal-treatment program. Many professionals including naturopathic physicians, physical therapists, and day spas use Hydrotherapy as part of their treatment routines. We suggest trying several at home hydrotherapy remedies but please seek the advice of an alternative healthcare practitioner prior to undergoing these treatments to ensure they are right for you.

*Purified water is essential for any hydrotherapy remedy.
Chlorinated Bath Drinking water offers obvious instructions and recommendations.

Juice Therapy: Drinking the juice of one or two red potatoes can soothe symptoms.

Nutritional Supplementation: These nutrients are helpful: vitamin A, beta-carotene, vitamin C with bioflavonoids, and zinc oxide (in the form of lozenges taken every 1-2 hours unless nausea occurs, whereby decrease dosage).

Alternative Expert Care

If your symptoms persist despite the above measures, seek the assistance of a qualified health professional. These professional treatment therapies have all proven to be useful for dealing with a sore throat: Traditional Chinese medicine, Detoxification Treatment, Energy Treatment, Environmental Treatments, Enzyme Treatment, Light Therapy, Permanent magnetic Field Therapy, Naturopathic Medicine, Neural Treatment, and Reflexology. (See Glossary for descriptions of these alternative treatments.)