STORY AT-A-GLANCE
- One of the most common reasons for a sore throat is a viral infection; before picking up an over-the-counter drug, consider these effective and natural options
- Zinc lozenges work locally in your upper respiratory tract to shorten a cold; hydrogen peroxide in the ear canal has been ignored, but is effective
- An apple cider vinegar gargle helps create an inhospitable environment for germs; garlic may shorten the length and severity of your cold and raw honey is as effective as cough drops or syrup
- Vitamin C may shorten your cold; echinacea tea soothes your throat and reduces the recurrence of an infection; bee propolis extract may reduce the duration of a cold, and gargling with saltwater is soothing
- Preventive measures include getting plenty of exercise and quality sleep; using good handwashing techniques; eating fermented foods and taking in optimal levels of vitamin D