How to Cure a Sore Throat (Salt Water Method)

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Sore throats are painful and sometimes itchy or scratchy, making it hard to swallow, drink and talk. They're usually a symptom of viral or bacterial infection. They usually resolve on their own within a few days to a week. In the meantime, you can soothe your throat using saltwater treatments.

Method 1
Method 1 of 4:

Gargling with a Salt-Water Treatment

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  1. Most people choose to simply stir one teaspoon of table or sea salt into eight ounces of warm water. The salt draws water out of the swollen tissues, reducing swelling. [1] If you can deal with a bad taste, consider adding your teaspoon of salt to a mixture of equal parts warm water and apple cider vinegar. Though there’s no clear explanation for it, apple cider vinegar seems more effective than other vinegars at soothing sore throats. [2] It’s thought that the acid in the vinegar kills the bacteria. [3] A third option is to add ½ teaspoon of baking soda to your salt-water mixture. [4]
  2. [5] Honey has antibacterial properties to fight bacterial infection. [6] It can also soothe your sore throat and improve the taste of unpleasant treatments. Lemon contains Vitamin C to boost your immune system, but it’s also both antibacterial and antiviral.
    • Don’t give honey to any child under the age of two. Young children may be susceptible to infant botulism, which can contaminate honey.
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  3. Use proper gargling technique . Both children and adults can benefit from gargling. However, you need to watch children to make sure they spit rather than swallow the mixture. If they do swallow a bit, don’t panic. Just have them drink a full glass of water.
    • Give children a small amounts of mixture to gargle.
    • Test children’s gargling ability with plain water before using the solution.
    • Take the gargling mixture into your mouth and tilt your head back. Make an “ah” sound to create vibrations in your throat. You might have children say “GGGAAAAARRRRRRGGGGLLLE” instead. Do this for about 30 seconds.
    • You should be able to feel the liquid moving around from the vibration — almost like it’s boiling in the back of your throat.
    • Do not swallow any of the fluid. Spit it out and wash out your mouth when you’re finished.
  4. Depending on what you’re gargling with, you may need more or less frequent gargling.
    • Saltwater: once every hour
    • Saltwater and apple cider vinegar: once every hour
    • Saltwater and baking soda: every two hours
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Method 2
Method 2 of 4:

Using a Salt-Water Throat Spray

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  1. Making your own soothing throat spray is very simple — you don’t need to spend money at the store. All you need is ¼ cup of filtered water and ½ teaspoon of table salt or sea salt. Make sure the water is warm when you mix them together to encourage the salt to dissolve evenly.
  2. A simple salt-water solution can be very soothing, but essential oils can speed up the healing process. Simply mix the essential oils well with the salt-water mixture. Two drops of any of the following essential oils can both relieve pain and fight the infection causing the sore throat:
  3. A one or two ounce glass bottle with a spray attachment is ideal. This size will be small enough for you to carry around with you throughout the day. You can have it both at home and on the go.
  4. When your throat feels particularly sore, pull out your spray bottle and give yourself a spritz. Open your mouth wide and aim the spray attachment toward the very back of your throat. Spray once or twice to soothe your irritation.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 4:

Using Other Methods of Treatment

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  1. If your doctor diagnoses you with a bacterial infection, ask for a prescription for antibiotics. Make sure to take the antibiotics exactly as prescribed. Don’t stop taking them before you’ve finished the full course, even if you start feeling better. You may leave yourself open to complications or a recurrence of the infection.
    • Eat yogurt with active cultures (probiotics) while on antibiotics. [8] Antibiotics kill off healthy gut bacteria while fighting the infecting bacteria. Eating yogurt with active probiotic cultures will replace the normal gut bacteria, helping your body fight off the infection.
  2. Drinking water moisturizes the external skin on your throat, but it also keeps your whole body hydrated. This soothes the irritation from within the tissue as well. Drink eight to ten 8 oz. glasses of water every day. Another way to moisturize your throat is to keep the air you’re breathing as humid as possible — especially if you live in a dry climate. Buy a humidifier or place bowls of water in rooms where you spend a lot of time.
  3. Broths and soups are not only easy to swallow — they’ve also been shown to improve immune response. They do this by slowing down the movement of immune cells, which makes them more effective. [9] If you want more variety in your meals, just make sure you stick to soft, easy-to swallow foods:
    • Applesauce
    • Rice or well-cooked pasta
    • Scrambled eggs
    • Oatmeal
    • Smoothies
    • Well-cooked beans and legumes
  4. Avoid spicy foods at all costs, as they will make your throat pain much worse. The definition of spicy is broad; you might not think of pepperoni or garlic as spicy, but they will irritate your condition. Also avoid sticky foods like peanut butter or hard foods like dry toast and crackers. Acidic foods like soda and citrus juices are also off limits until your throat heals.
  5. [10] Use a fork and knife to cut solid foods into small pieces, and chew food thoroughly to break it up. Chewing also gives your saliva time to break down the food and make it easier to swallow. If swallowing is very difficult, considering blending solid foods like cooked peas or carrots into a puree.
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Method 4
Method 4 of 4:

Diagnosing a Sore Throat

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  1. The most persistent symptom of a sore throat is throat pain that may get worse when swallowing or talking. It may also be accompanied by dryness or a scratchy feeling, and a hoarse or muffled voice. Some people experience sore, swollen glands in the neck or jaw. If you still have your tonsils, they may appear swollen or red, or have white patches or pus on them.
  2. Most sore throats are the result of viral and bacterial infections. You should also look for the symptoms of infection that may accompany your sore throat. These can include:
    • Fever
    • Chills
    • Coughing
    • Runny nose
    • Sneezing
    • Body aches
    • Headache
    • Nausea or vomiting
  3. [11] Most sore throats will go away within a few days to a week with simple home treatment. If the pain is excessive or lingers, though, you should consider seeing a physician for a physical exam. The doctor will look at your throat, listen to your breathing, and take a throat swab for a rapid strep test. While the swab is painless, it can be slightly uncomfortable if it causes a gag reflex. [12] The sample taken from your throat swab will be sent to a lab to figure out the cause of the infection. Once the virus or bacteria causing your throat pain is determined, the doctor can advise you on treatment.
    • Medications that are used to treat a sore throat caused by bacteria include penicillin, amoxicillin, and ampicillin.
    • The doctor may also order a CBC (complete blood count) or test your for allergies.
  4. [13] Most sore throats don't suggest serious medical conditions. Children, though, should always be checked out by a doctor if a sore throat doesn't go away with a drink of water in the morning. You should call your doctor immediately if your child has trouble breathing or swallowing. Unusual drooling accompanied by a sore throat should also be examined as soon as possible. Adults are better at gauging whether they need medical attention. You can wait it out at home for a few days, but see a doctor if you experience:
    • A sore throat that lasts longer than a week or seems severe
    • Any difficulty swallowing
    • Any difficulty breathing
    • Any difficulty in opening your mouth or pain in the jaw joint
    • Joint pain, especially new pains
    • Earache
    • Any rash
    • A fever higher than 101 F (38.3 C)
    • Any blood in your saliva or phlegm
    • Frequently recurring sore throats
    • A lump or mass in your neck
    • Hoarseness that lasts more than two weeks
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How Do You Treat a Sore Throat?


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  • Question
    What can I do if I don't want to just use basic salt water?
    Andrea Rudominer, MD, MPH
    Board Certified Integrative Medicine Doctor
    Dr. Andrea Rudominer is a board certified Pediatrician and board certified Integrative Medicine Doctor based in the San Francisco Bay Area. Dr. Rudominer has over 15 years of medical care experience and specializes in preventive health care, obesity, adolescent care, ADHD, and culturally competent care. Dr. Rudominer received her MD from the University of California, Davis, and completed a residency at the Lucile Packard Children's Hospital at Stanford University. Dr. Rudominer also has an MPH in Maternal Child Health from the University of California, Berkeley. She is a Member of the American Board of Pediatrics, a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics, a Member and Delegate of the California Medical Association, and a Member of the Santa Clara County Medical Association.
    Andrea Rudominer, MD, MPH
    Board Certified Integrative Medicine Doctor
    Expert Answer
    Take a hot shower and let yourself bask in the steam. Drink plenty of tea with honey in it. For your salt water gargling, try adding a drop or two of bergamot essential oil to the water.
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  • Question
    My throat really hurts. I don't want to eat anything. What should I do?
    Chris M. Matsko, MD
    Family Medicine Physician
    Dr. Chris M. Matsko is a retired physician based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. With over 25 years of medical research experience, Dr. Matsko was awarded the Pittsburgh Cornell University Leadership Award for Excellence. He holds a BS in Nutritional Science from Cornell University and an MD from the Temple University School of Medicine in 2007. Dr. Matsko earned a Research Writing Certification from the American Medical Writers Association (AMWA) in 2016 and a Medical Writing & Editing Certification from the University of Chicago in 2017.
    Chris M. Matsko, MD
    Family Medicine Physician
    Expert Answer
    You want to eat a soft diet of soups, broths, yogurt, pudding, and other foods that are easy on the throat.
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  • Question
    Should I avoid dairy products?
    Chris M. Matsko, MD
    Family Medicine Physician
    Dr. Chris M. Matsko is a retired physician based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. With over 25 years of medical research experience, Dr. Matsko was awarded the Pittsburgh Cornell University Leadership Award for Excellence. He holds a BS in Nutritional Science from Cornell University and an MD from the Temple University School of Medicine in 2007. Dr. Matsko earned a Research Writing Certification from the American Medical Writers Association (AMWA) in 2016 and a Medical Writing & Editing Certification from the University of Chicago in 2017.
    Chris M. Matsko, MD
    Family Medicine Physician
    Expert Answer
    No, eat active yogurt cultures while you are on antibiotics. This may help culture normal gut bacterial/flora, which will help with your bowel movements.
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      Tips

      • Complete all prescriptions prescribed and follow up with your doctor as necessary.
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      • Most people find relief drinking hot liquids, but this is not written in stone. If you feel better drinking lukewarm or cool teas, go right ahead. Iced drinks can be helpful as well, especially if you have a fever.
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      Warnings

      • Make sure to see a physician if you are not better in 2-3 days.
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      • Do not use honey with a child under the age of two. While it is rare, infant botulism is a risk because honey sometimes contains bacterial spores and infants do not have a developed immune system.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/sore-throat/
      2. ↑ Cavender, A;, Folk medical uses of plant foods in southern Appalachia, United States. J Ethnopharmacol; 108 (1) 74-84, 2006.
      3. ↑ Vijayakumar, C., Wolf-Hall, CE., Minimum bacteriostatic and bactericidal concentrations of household sanitizers for Escherichia coli strains in tryptic soy broth. Food Microbiology 08/2002; 19(4-19):383-388.
      4. ↑ https://health.clevelandclinic.org/sore-throat-remedies-that-actually-work/
      5. ↑ Andrea Rudominer, MD, MPH. Board Certified Pediatrician & Board Certified Integrative Medicine Doctor. Expert Interview. 13 April 2020.
      6. ↑ https://www.pennmedicine.org/updates/blogs/health-and-wellness/2018/february/sore-throat
      7. ↑ Andrea Rudominer, MD, MPH. Board Certified Pediatrician & Board Certified Integrative Medicine Doctor. Expert Interview. 13 April 2020.
      8. ↑ http://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/probiotics-may-help-prevent-diarrhea-due-to-antibiotic-use-201205094664
      9. ↑ https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/sore-throat/
      1. ↑ http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003116.htm
      2. ↑ https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/sore-throat#diagnosed
      3. ↑ http://www.livescience.com/34110-gag-reflex.html
      4. ↑ http://www.osteopathic.org/osteopathic-health/about-your-health/health-conditions-library/general-health/Pages/sore-throat.aspx

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To cure a sore throat using salt water, mix 1 tablespoon of salt with 8 ounces of warm water. With the mixture, pour some into your mouth and gargle for 30 seconds by making an “Ah” sound, since this will draw water out of the swollen tissues and reduce the swelling in your throat. When you’re finished gargling, spit the mixture out and rinse your mouth. Use the mixture to gargle once every hour to cure your sore throat. Alternatively, if you can handle the taste, add the salt to 4 ounces of warm water mixed with 4 ounces of apple cider vinegar. The acid in the vinegar is thought to kill the bacteria in your throat. For more advice from our Medical co-author, including how to make a salt-water throat spray to use on the go, keep reading!

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