Dryness of throat is a respiratory condition that is marked by a feeling of dehydration in the throat. It usually gets accompanied with fever, runny nose, mucus congestion, shortness of breath, sore throat, and cold. The best way to treat a dry throat is to control and cure the factors which cause the dryness in the throat.
What are the Dry Throat Causes?
When we catch a cold, our nostrils get blocked with mucus congestion. It forces us to breathe through the mouth. Due to the constant exhalation and inhalation of air, the throat dries up. Some of the other common causes of constant dry throat and cough are listed below:
- Smoking and alcohol
- Dry throat allergies
- Excessive consumption of caffeine
- Inflammation and infection of the mucous membrane
- Dust or air pollution
- Use of indoor air heaters and coolers
- Obstructive sleep apnea
What are Dry Throat Symptoms?
Some of the most disturbing symptoms of the dry throat are listed below.
- Sticky and dry feeling in the mouth and the throat
- Frequent thirst
- Soreness of the throat
- Coughing fits
- Shortness of breath
- Burning sensation in the mouth
A dry throat is uncomfortable and can become harmful if not treated in time. However, timely administration of dry throat remedies can cure the feeling of dryness in the throat in just a day or two.
Top 5 Fabulous Natural Dry Throat Remedies
Natural remedies are often recommended by health experts to treat mild health conditions such as the dry throat. It is because these natural remedies also alleviate the associated symptoms alongside treating the condition. Below listed are a few such natural remedies to treat dry throat:
1. Basil and Honey
Honey is remarkably effective in treating pain and inflammation. The antiseptic, antibacterial, and antimicrobial properties of honey work in unison to combat all kinds of respiratory infections and diseases. Honey also acts like a hypertonic osmotic medium which absorbs water and fluids out of inflamed respiratory tissues and cures swelling and soreness of throat.
The humectant properties of honey may help in alleviating dry throat. It does so by forming a smooth film which helps to keep the respiratory passage moist and well hydrated.
Basil is highly effective in alleviating pain and inflammation that may be associated with a dry throat.
How to Use It?
- Grind a tablespoon of freshly plucked basil leaves into a paste
- Add a tablespoon of honey to juicy pieces of basil
- Mix a tablespoon of lukewarm water with the paste to form a mixture
- Take two tablespoons of the mixture every couple of hours to cure the dryness of throat and coughing fits.
- Alternatively, you can also brew a cup of honey and basil tea and add a pinch of powdered cinnamon to it
- Drink the tea thrice daily for the cure of a cough, sore throat, and dryness
You can also have boiled honey and ginger or honey and basil candies for soothing and hydrating your throat.
2. Marshmallow Root
The mucus secretion that oozes out of the marshmallow root is highly effective for relieving dryness of throat or mouth and also coughing fits.
Drinking warm marshmallow root tea helps in soothing the throat and nasal passage. It does so by forming a smooth mucilaginous film created by its mucus-like secretion, which aids in alleviating the pain and hydrating the dryness in the throat. The smooth mucilaginous coating helps in relieving the dry throat stuffy nose and chest congestion by promoting the expulsion of mucus. It also helps in soothing irritation and burning sensation in the throat.
How to use it?
- Boil a cup of plain water
- Stir in a tablespoon of fresh and dried marshmallow root into the hot water
- Let the infusion simmer down
- Strain out the tea
- Add a teaspoon of honey to the tea
- Drink the marshmallow root infusion with slow sips
Do this twice or thrice a day to cure the soreness of throat and tickle in the throat, causing coughing fits. Drinking marshmallow root infusion before going to bed at night can also aid in the treatment of a dry throat while sleeping.
[Read: Natural Cure for Throat Cancer]
3. Peppermint Essential Oil
Inhalation of the essential oil can cure colds and provide relief from nasal congestion as well.
It also helps in treating dryness in throat, cough and cold, sore throat, dry throat, stuffy nose, microbial infection of the respiratory canal, runny nose, and shortness of breath. The vapors flow down deep into the throat and inhibit harmful microbial action, infection, inflammation, and burning sensation in the throat.
How to use it?
- Boil 2-3 cups of plain water
- Pour the hot water into a large bowl
- Add two teaspoons of peppermint essential oil to the hot water in the bowl
- Inhale the aromatic steam and water vapor before going to bed at night and again after waking up in the next morning
- Use a towel to cover your head and the bowl so that the steamy vapor does not escape into the surroundings
Do not eat or drink anything at least for an hour after the inhalation. Practice it daily until the dry throat is relieved.
Precaution
Inhale the vapor slightly at first to ensure that you do not feel any burning sensation in your nostrils. Do not over-dilute the peppermint essential oil; otherwise, its essence and properties will be lost.
4. Apple cider vinegar
The acidic, antibacterial, and antimicrobial properties of the apple cider vinegar help in alleviating cough and common cold that cause the dryness of throat. Gargling with the solution hydrates the throat and inhibits bacterial action and infection.
How to use it?
- Mix two tablespoons each of lukewarm water and apple cider vinegar to prepare a solution
- Add half a teaspoon of powdered cayenne pepper powder to the solution
- Drink this solution twice in a day
Alternatively, you can rinse with the solution thrice a day daily. Do not eat or drink anything at least an hour after rinsing.
Precaution
Do not forget to dilute the apple cider vinegar with plain water before ingestion or gargling.
5. Lukewarm saltwater solution
Gargling with a lukewarm salt water solution is one of the best dry throat remedies during pregnancy. The saltwater solution, being hypertonic, inhibits bacterial action by osmosis. It also helps in the expulsion of mucus and relieves the throat and chest congestion. Besides, it has no side effects on pregnancy and is completely safe for the mother and the fetus.
How to use it?
- Boil a cup of plain water
- Add two teaspoons of rock salt or common salt to the warm water
- Stir well to prepare a saturated salt solution
- Gargle with the solution twice a day for about 30 seconds
- Do not eat or drink anything at least an hour after gargling
Foods to Eat
Eat the following foods to cure persistent dry throat and respiratory troubles.
- Yogurt
- Ginger infusion
- Honey
- Basil tea
- Onion and cayenne pepper infusion
- Bell peppers
- Chicken stew
- Tomato soup
- Ginger tea
- Warm turmeric milk
- Melted butter
- Fruit juice
- Green tea
- Fresh green vegetables and fruits
Also, drink plenty of water to treat and even prevent dry throat.
Foods to Avoid
Avoid the following foods to preserve the health of the respiratory system and improve the effectiveness of remedies:
- Sugary drinks
- Ice-creams and other frozen desserts
- Oily food
- Fast foods
- Caffeinated drinks
- Carbonated beverages like soda, etc.
- Alcohol
Conclusion
Dry throat is a common condition that can be treated easily. On a safer side, it is advised to use the above mentioned natural remedies anytime you experience dry throat or its associated symptoms. These remedies do not have any side effects, so it is safe to use not only to treat but also to prevent dry throat. Because ignoring dry throat can trigger certain conditions which may pave a path for certain infections. However, if dry throat persists for longer times and is associated with pain or other respiratory illnesses, you must consult a physician immediately.
FAQs:
1. Can anxiety cause dry throat?
Yes, it may. During anxiety, people tend to breathe through the mouth, which can cause a dry throat.
2. Why do I feel dry throat at midnight or when I wake up in the morning?
If you are sleeping in a dry environment, your nasal passages and throat may dry out.
3. How to prevent dry throat?
- Drink plenty of water
- Do not neglect common colds and flu
- Avoid smoking and alcohol
