Top 5 Surprising Home Remedies for Strep Throat

Updated on April 3rd, 2020
Strep Throat home remedies

Strep throat is an infection characterized by bacterial infection of the throat and tonsils. Streptococcus pyogenes bacterium commonly referred to as the Group A strep bacteria is primarily responsible for the disease. It is highly infectious and can spread through sneezing and coughing. However, home or natural remedies can help in both treating and preventing strep throat.

Some of the Strep Throat Causes Are:

  • Inhaling contaminated air
  • Bacterial infection of the throat
  • Respiratory allergies
  • Congestion of the sinus
  • Exposure to environmental allergens and pollutants
  • Respiratory disorders like cough, cold, sinus, etc.
  • Laryngeal inflammation

Strep Throat Symptoms

  • Swelling of the tonsil glands
  • Hoarseness of the voice
  • Fever
  • Soreness of the throat
  • Sneezing fits
  • Inflammation of the vocal cords
  • A severe sore throat and cough
  • Scratchy and burning sensations in the throat

Top 10 Home Remedies for Strep Throat

Home remedies are one of the most effective ways to treat strep throat. Most of the home remedies also enrich the body’s natural mechanism to ward off the associated symptoms that may cause strep throat. Below listed are few such foods:

1. Raw Cloves Garlic

The potent anti-inflammatory properties of garlic make it incredibly beneficial for the treatment of strep infection. The strong, pungent flavor and odor of fresh garlic are highly useful to cure congested nose and pain in the larynx and throat.

How to use it?

Method 1:

  • Rinse and peel a handful of raw cloves of garlic.
  • Chew on those cloves of garlic every morning on an empty stomach.

Method 2:

  • Grate a handful of peeled cloves of garlic to make a juicy paste of it
  • Boil the minced garlic in a cup of water
  • Add a teaspoon of the ground and powdered black pepper to the boiling water
  • Strain out the garlic infusion and add a few teaspoons of garlic juice to it
  • Drink it while it is lukewarm
  • Drink the infusion twice in a day for the cure of soreness and infection of the throat

[Read: Garlic for Sore Throat]

2. Cloves and Ginger

Ginger is an excellent analgesic and vested with potent antibiotic properties, which make it amazingly useful for the alleviation of throat pain and bacterial infection. The expectorant properties of cloves and ginger help in the expulsion of mucus and provide relief to the throat, chest, and sinus of mucus congestion.

How to use it?

  • Rinse and mince an inch-sized piece of ginger
  • Boil the ginger bits in a cup of water
  • Add a teaspoon of cloves to the boiling water
  • Strain out the cloves and ginger infusion and add the ginger juice to it
  • Consume the drink while it is still warm.

Drink the infusion thrice or four times in a day to cure soreness and infection of the throat.

3. Onions

Use Onions helps in Hair growth
Image: Shutter stock

Onions are one of the most effective home remedies for strep throat infection or rashes in the throat. The antibiotic property of onion may help in fighting both bacterial and viral infections that may cause strep throat. The essential compounds in onions also fight mucus and expel them from the airways.

How to use it?

Method 1:

  • Cut a medium-sized onion into slices
  • Hold the pungent slices close to your nose and inhale the pungent aroma

Method 2:

  • Grate a few slices of the onion to extract its juice
  • Add 2-3 tablespoons of extracted onion juice to a cup of hot water
  • Gargle with the warm onion water

Do this three or four times a day for treating strep throat rash and infection of the throat.

4. Fenugreek Seeds

Fenugreek seeds produce a mucilaginous secretion that creates a slippery and viscous film on the respiratory passage. It soothes the strep throat rash, pain, and inflammation almost instantaneously. It is known to treat strep throat rash and infection in both children and adults.

How to use it?

  • Boil a tablespoon of fenugreek seeds in a cup of water
  • Add a teaspoon of honey to the fenugreek seed tea
  • Drink this infusion twice in a day
  • Do this daily to cure strep throat rash, infection, and pain

5. Cinnamon and Honey

Cinnamon possesses a load of anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties that work in unison to treat strep infection and soreness of the throat. Drinking cinnamon and honey tea is also one of the best remedies for instant relief from coughing and sneezing fits.

How to use it?

  • Crush 2-3 sticks of fresh cinnamon into a fine powder
  • Crush a handful of raw cloves into pieces
  • Set a cup of water to boil in a saucepan
  • Stir in a tablespoon each of cinnamon powder and cloves in the boiling water in the saucepan
  • Keep boiling the contents in the pan for about 5 minutes
  • Take the tea off the flame
  • Let it slowly simmer down for a few minutes
  • Add two tablespoons of organic honey to the cinnamon tea

Drink the cinnamon tea twice or thrice in a day for the cure of strep infection and soreness of the throat.

6. Lemon Essential Oil

lemon essential oil
Image: Shutterstock

A deep inhalation of lemon essential oil vapors are remarkably effective for the natural treatment of the soreness of throat, and inflammation of the larynx. The warmth of the water vapor helps in soothing the itchiness and burning sensations of the throat. Inhale the fragrant fumes to cure the coughing and sneezing fits as well.

How to use it?

  • Boil two cups of plain water
  • Pour the hot water into a large bowl
  • Add 12-15 drops of lemon essential oil to the hot water in the bowl
  • Inhale the volatile and aromatic water vapor twice in a day-once before going to bed at night and another after waking up in the next morning
  • Use a towel to cover your head and the bowl so that the vapor does not escape into the surroundings

Do this once every day until the symptoms of strep throat are alleviated.

[Also Read: 9 Essential Oils for Strep Throat That You Need to Use]

7. Warm saline solution

Gargling with lukewarm saline solution is one of the best home remedies for strep throat and white spots on the throat and strep throat pain and infection. It inhibits the bacterial action by osmosis and aids in treating white spots on the throat that may be caused by a strep infection. It also helps in effectively alleviating coughs and sneezing fits.

How to use it?

  • Boil a cup of water
  • Add a teaspoon of common salt to the warm water
  • Stir well to prepare a slightly saturated solution

Gargle with the saline solution twice in a day, especially before going to bed at night, for about half a minute

Foods to Eat

Include the following foods in your regular diet for strep throat infection:

  • Yogurt
  • Garlic
  • Honey
  • Onion juice
  • Bell peppers
  • Tomato or chicken soup
  • Ginger infusion
  • Butter
  • Herbal tea
  • Green tea
  • Fresh green vegetables and fruits

Foods to Avoid

Avoid the following foods to prevent strep throat infection.

  • Sugary drinks
  • Cold drinks
  • Ice-creams
  • Oily food
  • Fast food
  • Caffeinated drinks
  • Carbonated beverages
  • Alcohol

[Read: Natural Treatment for Sore Throat]

Herbal Treatments

Herbs have been used for ages to treat various infections, including strep throat. Most of the herbs are highly potent, which gives effective results. Below is a list of a few such herbs:

8. Chamomile flowers

Chamomile flower tea is not only a powerful antiseptic but also a potent antimicrobial agent. Drinking chamomile flower tea can cure strep throat and other symptoms associated with it, such as headache, dizziness, nausea, and shortness of breath.

The vital compounds in it work vigorously to repress the spread and development of bacterial action, inflammation, and infection in the throat.

How to use it?

  • Crush a handful of fresh and dry chamomile flowers into bits
  • Put a cup of water on the boil in a saucepan
  • Add a tablespoon of dried and crushed bits of the chamomile flowers in a pan and boil it
  • Keep boiling the contents in the saucepan for about 5-7 minutes
  • Take the tea off the flame
  • Let the tea simmer down for a few minutes
  • Add a teaspoon of organic honey to the chamomile flowers tea

Drink the chamomile flowers tea twice or thrice in a day for the cure of strep throat infection and severe soreness of the throat

9. Licorice root

throat pain home remedies
Image:ShutterStock

The excellent antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties of licorice root work to heal inflammation and infection of the throat. The consumption of licorice root tea helps to soothe throat pain and irritation.

The alkaline nature of licorice also helps in alleviating acidity and abdominal cramps.

How to use it?

  • Put a tablespoon of freshly powdered licorice root in a cup of steaming hot water
  • Let the tea simmer down for a few minutes
  • Add a teaspoon each of organic honey and cinnamon powder to the licorice root tea

Drink the licorice root tea twice or thrice a day to relieve strep throat pain and the infections that may cause it.

[Read: Honey for Sore Throat]

10. Sage herb

The sage herb is vested with powerful antibacterial properties that slow down the spread and development of bacterial growth and infection in the throat. Drinking sage herb infusion is one of the effective home remedies for strep throat infection, strep throat rash, and scratchiness of the throat.

How to use it?

  • Crush a handful of the dried sage herb into bits
  • Put a cup of water on the boil in a saucepan
  • Add a tablespoon of crushed bits of the sage herb to the boiling water in the saucepan
  • Keep boiling the contents in the pan for about 5-7 minutes
  • Take the tea off the flame
  • Let the tea simmer down for a few minutes
  • Add a teaspoon of organic honey to the sage herb tea

Drink the sage herb tea twice or thrice in a day for the cure of strep throat rash and scratchy throat.

[Read: Essential Oils for Strep Throat]

Precaution

Make sure that you use fresh herbs and test with a small amount to ensure that your digestive system reacts adversely to it.

How to prevent strep throat infection?

  • Avoid smoking and alcohol
  • Drink warm water during winter soothe and warm your throat
  • Drink ginger tea on a regular basis during winter
  • Do not neglect colds and bacterial attacks

Conclusion:

The home remedies for strep throat are wonderfully effective. They do not have any negative side effects and can soothe and cure the throat with ease. However, if the symptoms persist, then do not delay in consulting a physician. Besides, if you are undergoing any medication or treatment, make sure that you check with your physician and confirm that these do not interact or have any adverse effects on you.


FAQs

1. Does strep throat go away on its own?

Strep throat can go away on its own. However, it is advised to take treatment because if not treated, the infection may spread and complicate the condition.

2. How long does a strep throat?

With effective treatment using home remedies or antibiotics, the strep throat may completely go away within ten days.

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