09/04/2026
Does your throat hurt when you swallow? Is your voice becoming hoarse, or does a dry nighttime cough keep waking you up?
A sore or irritated throat can happen for many reasons—including viral infections, allergies, dry air, acid reflux, voice strain, or sometimes bacterial infections. Most mild sore throats improve on their own, but a few simple home-care measures may make the symptoms easier to manage.
In this video, we discuss 2 traditional home remedies using familiar ingredients: ginger, cinnamon, licorice (mulethi), fenugreek, and salt.
The first is a warm ginger, cinnamon, and licorice tea. Warm fluids can soothe an irritated throat, while ginger contains plant compounds with anti-inflammatory properties. Cinnamon also contains antioxidant compounds, although neither ginger nor cinnamon should be considered a treatment that eliminates a throat infection.
Licorice, or mulethi, has traditionally been used for throat irritation and hoarseness. However, licorice isn't suitable for everyone. Regular or excessive intake can raise blood pressure, lower potassium, interact with medicines, and cause other problems. People with high blood pressure, heart or kidney problems, pregnant people, and anyone taking regular medication should ask a healthcare professional before using it.
The second remedy is a warm salt-water gargle. Gargling warm salt water is a commonly recommended way to temporarily soothe throat discomfort. The video also discusses fenugreek as a traditional addition, although evidence that fenugreek gargles treat throat infections is limited. Ordinary salt is sufficient for a salt-water gargle; Himalayan pink salt has not been shown to provide a special advantage.
One important correction: you don't automatically need to stop dairy or fermented foods when you have a sore throat. Dairy has not been shown to make the body produce more mucus in most people, although it can temporarily make saliva or mucus feel thicker. If milk, yogurt, or another particular food makes your symptoms feel worse, avoiding that food temporarily is reasonable.
Most importantly, home remedies can soothe symptoms, but they cannot replace appropriate treatment when an infection or another medical condition requires it.
Seek medical care if your sore throat is severe, persists or keeps returning, or is accompanied by high fever, significant swelling, rash, dehydration, or worsening symptoms. Difficulty breathing or being unable to swallow liquids/saliva requires urgent medical attention.
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DISCLAIMER:
This video is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
Ginger, cinnamon, licorice, fenugreek, and salt-water gargles may provide temporary symptom relief, but they are not proven cures for viral or bacterial throat infections.
Do not take antibiotics unless prescribed by a healthcare professional. Antibiotics do not treat viral sore throats.
Licorice/mulethi deserves particular caution because repeated or high-dose use can increase blood pressure, alter potassium levels, and interact with medications. People with hypertension, heart disease, kidney disease, or other chronic medical conditions should consult their healthcare professional before using it.
Persistent hoarseness should also be evaluated, particularly when it lasts for several weeks.