Sore throat

Mahes Visvalingam
Post-retirement postings

Please note that this site is under construction.

Some Experiences with Natural Medicine
and related observations

Sore throat : Cider Vinegar & Honey; Kali Bich; apples; salt; reflexology

Sore throat is a very common complaint, especially in cold, wet weather. There are several causes (see link under references). Those with allergies can develop chronic sore throats, with periodic occasional coughs and some yellow thick mucus which is coughed up especially on waking. Initially cider vinegar & honey did help - but the problem returned. I did manage to reduce the symptoms with my treatment for mouth ulcers. In 2009, I was on the move all the time when travelling in Malaysia, Singapore and all along the east coast of Australia. Although I did not have the health problems I had after the last long-haul flight, I was run down and developed a little cough.

Then on 16 Dec 09, we attended the Carol Service at the local hospital. I had some sandwiches, which I should not have eaten given my allergies, and also ate the mince pies and other sweet offerings when too much sugar gives me aheadache. I also strained my voice singing, when I do not normally sing. To make matters worse, it was the first day of a very cold snap, and which has continued until today 13 Jan 2010. I developed a sore throat and pain in the ear, both on the left side and had some acid reflex (probably due to the mince pies). I may have picked up an infection in the hospital setting, especially since several people I knew had ENT infections. The normal remedies of cider vinegar and honey, Kali Bich and other biochemic tissue salts did not help, probably because of having to go out in biting cold and windy weather often on foot. These remedies have often helped on previous occasions. We were foolish and went out for a walk on New Year's day in the biting cold which came through two layers of gloves. That night I had spasms in the throat making me choke. I decided to use some propolis (as for mouth ulcers), since it is anti-inflammatory and took some Biochemic Mag Phos to tone the muscles. This helped to relax the throat muscles but did not shift the sore throat/tongue.

By the second week of January, the sore throat had spread to the voice box (pharyngitis), making it difficult to swallow, and was showing signs of spreading into the chest. The laryngitis also made the base of my tongue feel swollen and painful. I guess having the central heating on day and night to guard against burst pipes did not help since it dries the air. A neighbour reminded me of salt water gargles. So, after every meal, I cleaned the teeth thoroughly as per mouth ulcers and then gargled with salt water. I also did this at bed time and then ate a large piece of apple, chewing it well before swallowing. I did not wash the mouth out before going to bed.

The throat was a lot better the next day. Since I happened to be reading a book on reflexology by Louise Keet, I also worked on my feet paying particular attention to the head, throat and ear reflexes. Needless to say, I also gave myself Reiki. The throat problem abated within 3 days. This makes me think that the problem was not due to an infection but an allergy made worse by the weather. Also, despite the symptoms, the sore throat was no where near as bad as those I have had in the past.

Summary of remedies for sore throat

Salt water gargle - after cleaning your teeth after every meal, so that bacteria in your teeth do not cause aggravation to the mucus membranes in the mouth and throat. http://www.throatsore.com/ suggests sprinkling salt onto the back of the throat. Those with high blood pressure and heart/kidney problems should not do this. The author suggests that salt only helps bacterial, and not viral, infections. It also seems to help allergic reactions.
Apple - see above. There is a saying that an apple a day keeps the doctor away. I found this particularly helpful if I get acid reflex.
Kali Bich - this has helped me clear the thick yellow stringy catarrh which occurs after a viral infection.
Cider vinegar and Honey - Allow a tsp of each to go syrupy and then lick a spoon dipped in it. It does ease the throat but it can cause other side effects if taken to excess. It has cleared persistent coughs in some cases - but I am not sure of why this seems very effective some times but not always. If you cannot take vinegar, you can try the old-fashioned honey&vinegar remedy; lemon doe not always agree with me and in general I prefer malic to citric acid.

Warning:

Please note that allergic tightening of the throat and choking can be fatal and that you should get immediate medical help. See my disclaimer below.

References:
http://health.howstuffworks.com/home-remedies-for-sore-throat.htm - possible causes of sore throat.

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003053.htm - medical site

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acute_pharyngitis - the wiki page

http://altmedicine.about.com/od/healthconditionsdisease/a/sore_throat.htm - some known remedies.

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