Itchy, scratchy, swollen, throats crop up during any season. For many people without seasonal allergies, winter time is the worst time in regards to a comfortable throat. Sometimes these throat pains are symptoms of an oncoming or already ongoing infectious attack of a cold or flu. More often, they are just an uncomfortable stand-alone nuisance brought about from cold wind outside and dry, hot air inside. Before grabbing medicine, try a natural throat elixir to soothe your pains.

Whether or not your sore throat is one of dryness or phlegm, several herbs will alleviate the pain and discomfort. Many of these herbs will also address the underlying causes. Two all-natural, organic ingredient tea brands with wonderful throat teas are Yogi – Throat Comfort and Traditional Medicinals - Organic Throat Coat. Both brands share many of the same ingredients, but there are a few differences. I prefer Yogi’s Throat Comfort because it gives me greater comfort, helps me have productive coughs – with or without phlegm – and tastes ten times better to me! It has a much stronger anise/licorice flavor, so if you’re not as keen on this taste as I am, you may prefer the taste of Traditional Medicinals better. Of course, there are other brands of herbal teas aimed at soothing the throat, but these are the only two I have direct experience with because they are the only two I have found in three other states than Kentucky that are 100 percent organic with only natural ingredients – no additives, preservatives or even caffeine.

You can always make your own tea or syrup with fresh herbs. A very old home recipe for throat tea contains lemon, apple cider vinegar, cayenne (red pepper) and honey. Typically, the measurements are 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar, a pinch of cayenne pepper, the juice of ¼ lemon, 1 teaspoon of honey to a cup of hot water. The recommended amount is up to 4 cups a day. For a persistent cough, I created my own recipe that works instant wonders. Put fresh cut garlic and ginger slices, and fresh or dried thyme in water and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer until the water changes to a more yellow tint. Strain and add cayenne (red pepper), the juice of ¼ lemon and honey. It tastes more like a combination of a bad spicy soup and medicine than “tea”, but it knocks the cough right out, soothes the throat and strengthens your immune system.

The best dietary and herbal advice to heed is the amazing qualities of the garlic, ginger and thyme. They are the eighth, ninth, and tenth Wonders of the World, respectively. If you are feeling under the weather, have indigestion, need an antiseptic or to repel insects, these three will do the trick, in addition to being anti-carcinogens. These two roots and one herb cover nearly every health ailment in both the treatment of current conditions and preventative proponents. Adding these three ingredients into any commercially bought tea, into your own homemade tea or syrup, or into your cooking, will go a long way to keeping you healthy!

Some herbs can be found in capsule form, but fresh is always the best! Here are herbs to look for to soothe the throat:

Bergamot

The secret ingredient in Stash brand Earl Gray Tea, this lively lemon-limish plant makes a flavorful infusion to treat colds, coughs and sore throats.

Cardamon Seed

This flavor enhancing cooking spice is also an expectorant that relieves congestion of the lungs, pulmonary tuberculosis, phlegm, colds, coughs, bronchitis, asthma and hoarse throats.

Garlic

The first of the three super nutrients, garlic has it all. It’s a natural antibiotic, an expectorant and detoxifies the body, among many other healing properties. Helps treat asthma, tuberculosis, colds, bronchitis, fever, flu, headache, earache, and is a good treatment for all diseases and infections – both viral and bacterial.

Ginger Root

A powerhouse of preventative nutrients just like garlic and thyme, ginger root goes a long way to healing the throat and underlying conditions, on top of all its other health enhancing properties. Narrowing its awesomeness just down to the throat, it is an expectorant and contains mucilage. Mucilage is a gel-like substance that expands when added to water. It is thought to reduce throat irritation and sooth sore throats and is a common ingredient in throat lozenges, either by itself or along with elderberry and zinc.

Licorice Root

Favored for its anti-inflammatory properties it has long been used as a throat remedy. A study published in Anesthesia & Analgesia found that patients who gargled with a diluted licorice root solution five minutes prior to being given anesthesia before surgery were less likely to have a sore throat after surgery and experienced less post-operative coughing compared to other patients. It has a sweet taste and is a common ingredient in herbal throat teas. However, there are cautions with using licorice root. Used in large amounts, it can lead to high blood pressure, salt and water retention, low potassium levels, and can affect levels of the hormone cortisol. It should never be combined with diuretics, corticosteroids, or other medications that reduce potassium levels. People with heart disease, high blood pressure, and pregnant women should avoid licorice root.

Mullein Leaf

Mullein leaf is an old and trusted treatment for respiratory problems, including dry, hacking and unproductive coughs. It’s also good for flu and chest colds and is an expectorant and a demulcent that has soothing properties to inflamed tissues. The primary uses are to treat: chronic bronchitis, emphysema, asthma, and other breathing difficulties. It stimulates the cough reflex, clearing out congestion and expelling excess respiratory phlegm and mucus. It has a high mucilage content that helps lubricate the throat and lungs, even while it promotes expectoration, easing bronchial passages, throat irritation and laryngitis. It falls just a little short of the wonders of the powerful trio of garlic, ginger and thyme, but it’s pretty darn close with its multitude of other healing properties beyond the throat and lungs.

Slippery Elm

The inner bark of the elm tree is used because it contains mucilage, a gel-like substance that swells when it is mixed with water. If making your own tea or syrup, don’t use too much of this else your home remedy will turn out too “slippery”, just as its name suggests.

Thyme

The final of the triad of super health, thyme is an expectorant among many other things. It is used to treat sinusitis, asthma, to eliminate mucus and fever, is good for chronic respiratory problems, colds, flu, bronchitis, whooping cough and sore throat.

By Angela S. Hoover, Editor/Staff Writer