Sucking on ice cubes can help with sore throat? Home remedies to soothe sore throat

Sore throats are very common especially due to the changing weather and season. These usually get better by themselves within a week. However, having a sore throat can be very uncomfortable and in many cases, painful. Some people also experience difficulty in talking and swallowing food due to a sore throat.

According to the National Health Service, UK, those with a sore throat should stay well hydrated, although hot drinks should be avoided.

Instead, it advises that sucking on ice cubes, ice lollies or hard sweets can soothe the inflammation! Does this work?

Sucking on ice cubes or ice lollies can be soothing and hydrating. According to health experts, ice lollies can be a good treatment for sore throats as they have a local cooling effect on inflamed tissues. Ice pops lower the temperature of the nerve endings in the throat, thereby reducing the pain signals.

Even after a tonsillectomy, doctors suggest the patients eat ice cream. The cold ice-cream comes to contact with the inflamed tonsils and minimizes the swelling and reduces discomfort and pain. Here are some more effective ways to beat a sore throat at home:

Gargling with warm salt water can also help to reduce inflammation. However, it is not recommended for children. To make your own gargle, dissolve half a teaspoon of salt in a glass of lukewarm or partly cooled boiled water. Gargle with the solution and spit it out. Repeat as required.

Turmeric is a powerful antioxidant and has the strength to fight many serious infections. For a sore throat, you can drink turmeric milk before bed. It is also called the golden elixir. If you tend to get bloated by consuming milk at night, you have it in lesser quantities or at any other time during the day. Make sure you also add a pinch of turmeric powder to a cup of milk. Adding little black pepper powder can boost the health benefits of turmeric.

Steam inhalation involves the inhalation of water vapor which helps to open your nasal passages. The warm, moist air loosens the blocked, sticky mucus in the nasal passages, throat, and lungs. Make sure you keep the hot water vessel or the electric steam inhaler at a proper hard surface like a table. Be careful with the process or there is risk of hurting yourself from the hot water.

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Kadha (decoction) helps to soothe irritated throat and reduce your cough. To prepare kadha, crush 4 cloves, 2 black peppercorns, 1-inch stick of cinnamon, 1-inch stick of liquorice (mulethi), 1-inch piece of ginger and 5-6 tulsi leaves in a pot. Add 2 cups of water and boil till the decoction is reduced to half. Strain and let it cool slightly enough to drink. Add a teaspoon of honey before drinking.

Hot ginger tea is a popular and effective home remedy to treat a sore throat. It soothes an inflamed throat. You can boil ginger in water and drink it sip by sip. You can also boil ginger with water before adding tea leaves and milk in your everyday chai.

As per research, ginger may have a stronger antimicrobial effect when combined with honey, which also has antimicrobial properties. First, grate ginger and then press it with a spoon to squeeze out all its juice. Add a teaspoon of honey to this juice, mix and chug. Drinking this can help to relieve sore throat.

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Getting enough rest is essential for proper recovery. Sleeping helps boost your immune system. Less sleep can compromise the levels of white blood cells in the body, which are needed to fight the infection that is causing your sore throat.

While home remedies may help in providing some relief, it is essential to consult your doctor in case you experience any new symptoms, especially if they last longer than a week.