SOCIAL MEDIA

Tuesday, November 20, 2018

Apothecary: Sore Throat Remedy

Apothecary: Sore Throat Remedy

I was sick for about a week and a half with what I originally thought was tonsillitis. After a couple of days, it turned into a sinus infection. Thankfully, I know exactly what to do when I start to get sick, especially when my throat begins to hurt. Please note that this is not intended as medical advice and you should consult with your doctor before trying the remedy listed below. If you are running a fever, you need to seek medical attention. Antibiotics aren't terrible. In fact, they are life-saving, so if you need some, make sure you get them!

Sore Throat Remedy

Ingredients
3 tbsp minced garlic
1 tbsp cayenne pepper
real honey to taste

Directions
Mix the garlic and cayenne together until well combined. You can use fresh or jarred garlic. There really isn't a difference in effectiveness. Add at least a teaspoon of honey, if not a tablespoon or two, to taste. This is super, super spicy without the honey, so be sure to add enough to dull the spice and sweeten the taste.  Take 1 tablespoon every 3-4 hours after eating. Too much garlic on its own can upset your stomach.

This remedy is great for adults and children. Unless you are allergic to one of the ingredients, there is little risk, other than an upset tummy, to using this remedy freely. It should be noted children until the age of one should NOT eat honey, so avoid giving this remedy to a small child. Also, should your symptoms worsen or you begin to run a fever, you should definitely seek medical attention. Sometimes antibiotics are best. It's the difference between living our best life and dying.

How It Works

Garlic is one of the most universal herbs on the market and has been recognized by herbalists and scientists as one of the most effective antimicrobial plants, acting to help kill bacteria, viruses, and parasites. Because of its unique properties, garlic is the perfect remedy for a sore throat, whether it be brought on by a bacteria or virus.

Cayenne, on the other hand, is a stimulant, increasing blood flow to help speed up the healing process. Like garlic, cayenne is also naturally antiseptic, helping to kill bacteria and viruses lurking in the throat.

And finally, raw honey! Honey is also naturally antiseptic, working with garlic and cayenne to fight off the infection. It is also anti-inflammatory, helping reduce swelling of the tonsils and coating them to reduce irritation. Of course, the honey also dulls the spice of the cayenne, making the whole remedy more palpable. A spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down, right?

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Is there a particular way you ward off a sore throat? I'm always looking for new recipes!


4 comments :

  1. My mom used to give me a concoction similar to this (sans cayenne) and it always worked wonders; I still use it to this day. I appreciate you giving more info as to what each ingredient does.

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    1. It seems to be a pretty popular remedy, and you are most welcome. Thank you for reading!

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  2. Sorry for the comment on an old post but what is the difference between real and raw honey

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    1. Not a problem! Raw honey is unpasteurized and comes straight from the hive. This is honestly what I would use. There are synthetic and processed honeys on the market. Usually they are over pasteurized and have added ingredients for flavor and color. While they will work, nothing beats the unprocessed honey.

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