Customer question:
What helps with a problematic - sore throat? A natural antibiotic? Question from an anonymous customer
Pharmacist's answer:
A sore throat can be very uncomfortable. The main symptoms of sore throat are pain and irritation, especially when swallowing. A virus usually causes a sore throat but can also result from an imbalanced amount of bacteria and allergies, pollution, or dryness.
Some plant extracts, essential oils, and even foods can have properties that mimic the action of an antibiotic. Still, of course, you need to be sure of the effectiveness of this type of action in a conversation with a pharmacist. So it is mainly about plants, such as garlic, honey, and herbs.
Antibiotics are mainly used to inhibit bacteria growth and terminate them in general. Like many of today's antibiotics, the original antibiotics came from natural sources.
In the lines below, you can read foods that have a beneficial effect on a sore throat:
Between
Honey dates back to ancient times. The Egyptians often used honey as a natural regenerative agent and for skin protection. Honey contains hydrogen peroxide, ascorbic acid (vitamin C), pantothenic acid, niacin, and riboflavin, and minerals such as calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, and zinc.
To use honey as an antibiotic mimic, apply it directly to a wound or infected area. If possible, opt for raw Manuka honey. This form of honey has the most health benefits. You can swallow a whole spoonful of honey or mix it into a warm cup of tea with lemon.
Honey is generally safe to use on the skin or body but should never be given to a baby under one year of age. Instead, consult your doctor for a suitable alternative.
Content of hydrogen peroxide in honey? Honey contains an enzyme called glucose oxidase, which reacts with glucose as a sugar, releasing small amounts of peroxides.
Garlic
Garlic concentrate or extract can be purchased at your local health food store or pharmacy. You may make it yourself by soaking a few garlic cloves in olive oil. Up to two cloves of garlic per day is considered an acceptable dose. If you are taking a garlic supplement, follow the dosage instructions provided on the package.
If you are taking blood thinners, consult your physician before consuming garlic. Large doses of garlic may enhance the effects of this drug or have the opposite effect. After consultation with the doctor, garlic concentrate can also be applied directly to the wound or skin.
Gagging salt water
Gagging salt water can help relieve the feeling of a sore throat. Salt helps extract water from the throat tissue and consequently prevents the development of bacteria.
Mix 1 cup of warm water with one teaspoon of salt and stir to dissolve. Gargle for 30 seconds, spit and keep repeating until the cup is empty.
Ginger
Ginger can help relieve sore throats. Ginger tea is available in many shops and on our website, but you can prepare it yourself from fresh ginger.
Ingredients:
- fresh ginger root
- 1 L of water
- One tablespoon (21 g) of honey
- a spoonful of lemon juice
Preparation instructions:
- peel the ginger root and grate it into a small bowl
- boil water in a large saucepan, then remove from the heat
- add one tablespoon of grated ginger to the pan and cover it with a lid
- let stand for 10 minutes.
- Add honey and lemon juice and mix.
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