Home remedies for a sore throat
Gargle with warm, salty water
(children should not try this) drink plenty of water, eat cool or soft foods, avoid smoking or smoky places, suck ice cubes, ice lollies or hard sweets, but do not give young children anything small and hard to suck because of the risk of choking.1
Add honey to your drink
Added to a hot drink, a teaspoon of honey can often make the liquid more palatable and it also has antibacterial properties that could help you to heal faster.2
Use a room humidifier
Moist air from a humidifier can help to keep your nasal passage and throat lubricated for a faster recovery.3 It can also help prevent passing airborne viruses, which spread less in moist air, on to family and friends.4
Other tips to help you recover quickly
Drink plenty of water
Your vocal cords need lubrication and any kind of sore throat causes over or under production of phlegm, so keeping them well watered will help.
Rest, eat a healthy diet and de-stress
Easier said than done when you're busy, but these are all essential to recovery.
Watch your volume
Try not to whisper as this forces the vocal chords together and can cause more inflammation. It is better to speak at a low but clear level if your throat is sore.