Is Lemon Good For Sore Throats?
Headaches, stuffy noses, fevers and fatigue. Ugh, cold and flu season is a rough time of year. But sometimes the most frustrating symptom of sickness can be a scratchy sore throat. When it hurts to swallow, it makes it hard to eat or drink anything.
Picking up a common cold during the fall and winter when germs are spreading around is almost inevitable. Most symptoms will go away within about a week. If you’re struggling with that painful sore throat from a bacterial infection, you may be popping throat lozenges like they’re candy! But there may be some ways to help you get some help while your body fights off illness.
It’s always important to drink lots of fluids when you’re feeling under the weather. You want to stay hydrated and keep the mucous membranes in your throat moist for healing. And adding a little lemon could be just the touch you need to help find some relief.
Using lemons to help soothe a sore throat and sickness.
Lemon is among the best methods to help soothe throat pain. It’s an antioxidant and can ease some of your pain while giving a boost to your immune system.
Lemon is great at providing pain relief. It increases the amount of saliva you produce which can help keep your throat damp. It can also break up mucus which will clear up some of the congestion that is causing your symptoms in the first place.
Lemon also packs a bunch of health benefits. It includes lots of good ole’ vitamin C which is an immune system booster. Your immune system is the part of your body that helps fight off infections and illness. Vitamin C gives it more power to perform at its best!
Popular ways to use lemons to ease a sore throat.
It can be difficult to drink plain water, especially when we’re sick. Use True Lemon citrus wedges to add that fresh lemon taste to your beverage. Made from real lemon juice and oils, each packet is equivalent to one lemon wedge.
Lemon and hot water is a popular fix for sore throats. Just mix one teaspoon of lemon juice (or one packet of True Lemon) into a glass of warm water and drink for a quicker way to feel better.
Want something besides just water? Try mixing tea with honey and lemon – all the good things! Honey has antibacterial properties to help with healing. It’s also a cough suppressant!
Not sure which teas? Chamomile tea can be a lubricant for your throat. Peppermint tea can also help relieve pain. Raspberry tea relieves pain and reduces inflammation. Brew up your pick and add a squeeze of lemon juice or a packet of True Lemon and a spoonful of honey for another source of soothing.
Getting good quality rest (and enough of it) is also essential to getting well when you’re sick. A sore throat and cough make it tough to get a good night’s sleep. Try lemon water and a tablespoon of honey just before going to bed to help soothe your throat until morning.
Other home remedies for a sore throat.
Gargling with salt water. Salt water may not offer the immediate soothing relief that lemon and honey do, but it helps kill bacteria. Gargling can help loosen mucus and clear up some of that congestion. Mix half a teaspoon of salt with eight ounces of warm water and give it a shot.
Hot sauce? Hey, it could work! Maybe not an immediate fix, but the cayenne peppers in hot sauce are high in capsaicin which is an anti-inflammatory.
Getting that inflammation down will help reduce pain. Just add a few drops into a warm cup of water and give it a gargle.
Apple cider vinegar is another popular at-home remedy with a variety of uses. It has been reported to have health benefits, like helping control blood sugar levels.
It has antibacterial properties to help it fight off infection. And just like lemon, the acidity can help break up mucous and clear congestion. Be sure to dilute with water before drinking.
NOTE: Just remember these methods will help give you some pain relief when you’re feeling bad, but they won’t always fight the infection. Be sure to see your healthcare provider if your symptoms don’t clear up or seem to get worse.
