Fatigue, fevers, stuffy noses, and headaches. The time of year during which the cold and flu season occurs is awful. However, a scratchy throat can occasionally be the most upsetting sign of illness. When swallowing is painful, it can be difficult to eat or drink anything.
A typical remedy for a sore throat is hot water and lemon. Simply combine a teaspoon of lemon juice (or a packet of real lemons) with a glass of warm water to feel better faster.
If you want to take advantage of the natural health benefits of lemons, then you’re in luck – there are many ways to use lemons as a home remedy for sore throats and coughs. Here are a few of our recommendations, but any lemon-based recipe or concoction may help soothe a sore throat.
Is Lemon Water Effective in Treating a Sore Throat?
Yes is the quick response. Regardless of how you consume it, lemon reduces the discomfort of a sore throat. Lemons also have a number of other health advantages. However, how precisely do lemons relieve a sore throat?
Lemons’ high concentration of citric acid is a major contributor to their sedative properties. Citric acid is present in all citrus fruits such as grapefruits, oranges and pineapple, but the highest amounts of citric acid can be found in lemons and limes. Consuming or drinking citric acid lowers the pH of your mouth, which can aid in the destruction of viruses and bacteria that may be to blame for your sore throat.
Mucus can also be broken up with the aid of citric acid. Oftentimes, thick mucus can aggravate a sore throat, exacerbating the discomfort. Lemon can assist in reducing inflammation and pain by breaking up mucus, which will hasten your recovery.
Lemons are also a great source of vitamin C, which is great for warding off infections. Your immune system will benefit from vitamin C’s strengthening effects, which can help you get rid of the infection that’s causing your sore throat. Your sore throat should go away by getting rid of the cause. Due to these reasons, lemons not only soothe sore throats but also work to prevent them from developing in the first place. Win-win!
How to Make Lemon Water for Sore Throat?
Honey With Lemon
Steps:
- Squeeze half a lemon. One lemon should be cut in half. One lemon half should be squeezed over a tablespoon until it is completely filled. Juice should be added to a mug by a tablespoon. Lemon juice contains a lot of vitamin C, which might strengthen your immune system. Lemon juice’s antibacterial qualities may also help to reduce sore throats and break fevers. Verify that your mug is free of any lemon seeds. If you see any, remove them.
- The honey should be measured out. Put the two tablespoons of honey into the mug with the lemon juice. Honey coats and eases sore throats in addition to having antibacterial properties.
- Boil one-eighth of a cup (60 ml) of water. Fill a tea kettle or pot with ½ cup (60 ml) water. Put it on the stove and heat it up until it boils. Turn off the heat source for the kettle or pot.
- Over the lemon and honey, add the hot water. After the water has boiled, carefully pour it over the honey and lemon in your mug. The ingredients are gently mixed together. Prior to drinking the beverage, give it five minutes to cool. To taste, you can always add more honey, hot water, or lemon juice. If you’re experiencing an illness, the hot water can help to relax your throat muscles
Lemon With Ginger
- Grate the ginger. The root can be divided into several manageable pieces using a knife. With the edge of a spoon, scrape the root to remove the skin. Peel the ginger and quickly rub it across the fork’s tines, discarding the skin. The root’s flesh will be torn into tiny pieces as a result.
- A saucepan or pot should contain one quart (936 ml) of cold water. Add the grated ginger. Freshly grated ginger is warming and can help loosen and expel mucus and chest congestion. Additionally, the antibacterial properties of ginger may help with swelling reduction, blood flow, and health.
- Slice and squeeze the lemons. Prepare the lemon juice while you’re waiting for the water to boil. Squeeze each lemon half over a clean bowl after slicing the lemons in half. Squeeze until the fruit stops yielding juice. Check your bowl for lemon seeds and discard any that may have fallen in. For the time being, set the freshly squeezed lemon juice aside.
- Remove the ginger from the hot water by straining it. The grated ginger needs to be removed from the hot water after steeping for 15 minutes. Hold a mesh strainer over a large bowl or pitcher. Pour the hot water through the strainer with care.
- Serve after adding the lemon juice. In the bowl or pitcher of hot ginger water, add your freshly squeezed lemon juice. Toss the ingredients together gently. There will be six to eight servings in total. Pour one serving into a mug and serve immediately. The remaining mixture should be consumed throughout the day, possibly warmed in the microwave.
Use a Lemon Throat Spray
You can treat your sore throat with a medication that has been approved by a pharmacist, such as honey and lemon throat spray. Because they typically come in small bottles and are therefore portable, throat sprays are perfect for relieving sore throats while you’re on the go. This way, you won’t have to endure the discomfort for too long.
Other Home Remedies for a Sore Throat
Using salt water to gargle. Salt water may not offer the immediate soothing relief that lemon and honey do, but it helps kill bacteria. Gargling can help to break up mucus and relieve some congestion. Try it by combining half a teaspoon of salt with eight ounces of warm water.
Apple cider vinegar is another popular at-home remedy with a variety of uses. It has been reported to have health benefits, like helping control blood sugar levels.
It has antibacterial qualities to aid in preventing infection. And similar to lemon, acidity can aid in breaking up mucous and clearing congestion. Before drinking, make sure to dilute with water.
Honey taken in typical over-the-counter doses appeared to be as effective as the common cough suppressant ingredient dextromethorphan. Honey is worth a try because it is affordable and widely accessible. Feeding honey to young children is not advised due to the risk of infant botulism, a rare but serious form of food poisoning.
Summary
Common sore throat remedies include lemon and hot water. To feel better faster, simply add a teaspoon of lemon juice (or a packet of True Lemon) to a glass of warm water. Want a beverage besides water? Try combining tea with lemon and honey for the best results! Natural antibacterial properties in honey aid in healing. It also acts as a natural cough suppressant!
