Natural remedy for sore throat requires that the patient should fast on orange juice and water for three to five days, depending on the severity of the condition. He should take orange juice diluted with tepid water every two or three hours from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. during this period. The bowels should be cleansed on a daily basis with lukewarm water enema. This should be done twice daily in more serious cases. A wet pack should be applied to the throat at two hourly intervals during the day, and also one at night. The procedure is to wring out some linen material in cold water, wrap two or three times round the effected part, and cover with some flanner. The throat may be gargled more than a few times with warm water mixed with a little salt. A hot Epsom salt bath, taken on a daily basis during this period, will be extremely advantageous.
When the more severe symptoms settle, the patient may take on an all fruit diet for three or four further days, taking three meals a day of juicy fruits such as orange, apple, pineapple and papaya at five hourly intervals. Subsequently he may slowly but surely adopt a well balanced diet, with emphasis on seeds, nuts and grains, raw vegetables and fresh fruits. The daily dry friction and deep breathing and other exercises should form part of the daily health schedule. Certain home remedies have been found to be valuable in the treatment of sore throat. One such remedy is use of mango (aam) bark which is very effective in sore throat and other throat disorders. Its fluid can be applied locally with beneficial results. It can also be used as a throat gargle. The herb belleric myrobian (bahera) is another valuable medication for sore throat. A mixture of the pulp of the fruit, salt, long pepper (pipli) and honey should be administered in the treatment of this condition. The fried fruit, roasted after covering it with wheat flour, is also a popular remedy for sore throat.
Betel leaves (pan - ka -patta) have proved helpful in the treatment of this disease. The leaves should be applied locally for obtaining relief. The fruit of the betel tree, mixed with honey, can also be taken beneficially to relieve irritating throat cough. The bishop`s weed (ajwain) is important in treating sore throat. An infusion of the seeds mixed with common salt can be used beneficially as a gargle in acute condition caused by colds. The spice cinnamon (dalchini) is also regarded as a successful tonic for sore throat, resulting from cold. Coarsely powdered and boiled in a glass of water with a pinch of pepper powder and honey, it can be taken as a medication in the treatment of this condition. The oil of cinnamon, mixed with honey, also gives huge relief. A gargle prepared from fenugreek (methi) seeds has been found very efficient remedy for treating sore throat.
The leaves of the holy basil or tulsi have also been found advantageous in the treatment of this condition. The water boiled with basil leaves should be taken as a drink and also used as a gargle in sore throat. The patient should keep away from rapid changes in temperature like hot sun-shine to air conditioned rooms. He should stay away from cold and sore foods which may irritate his throat. To prevent the disease, a person should avoid touching tissues, handkerchief, towels or utensils used by the patients suffering from sore throat.
