Stuck with a sore throat?

Below you’ll find a variety of ways to soothe your throat with essential oils and remedy any soreness.

The recipes listed will work to remedy your sore throat no matter it’s cause – whether the cause is excessive dryness, a viral based infection or any other kind.

After reading the essential oil based remedies stick around for more home remedies for a sore throat as well as tips to prevent getting more of them in the future.

1. Simple EO Steam Inhalation

Use the following ingredients as a steam inhalation preparation or in another form of inhalation.

Ingredients:

• 3 drops lavender
• 2 drops chamomile
• 1 drop thyme

Related: How to Safely and Effectively Inhale Essential Oils

2. Soothing Cedawarwood Massage

Ingredients:

• 1 drop cedarwood EO
• 1/2 tsp of your preferred massage oil (argan, coconut,sesame, sweet almond, jojoba,grapeseed, macadamia)

Directions:

• In the palm of your hand combine 1 drop of your cedarwood EO with your massage oil
• Massage over your throat 2-3 times daily for relief

3. Clear it Out Sore Throat Tea

Ingredients:

• 1 drop cedarwood EO (an expectorant)
• 1 teabag (chamomile tea recommended, but any will do)
• 1 tsp raw honey

Directions:

• Place 1 drop cedarwood essential oil on your tea bag
• Make your tea as usual using very hot water
• Add 1 tsp of honey to steeped tea
• Sip tea slowly

4. EO Throat Clearing Drink

Ingredients:

• Glass of boiled rose water (hydrosol)
• 2 tsp raw honey
• 2 drops lemon EO
• 1 drop lavender EO

Directions:

• Boil rose water.
• Once water has become slightly cool or cold add honey, lemon and lavender
• Mix thoroughly
• Drink 1-2 times daily

5. Sore Throat Mouthwash

Ingredients:

• 1 cup warm water
• 1-2 drops clary sage, geranium or lavender essential oil
• 1/2 tsp sea salt

Directions:

• In a glass combine 1 to 2 drops of your preferred essential oil from the few mentioned above with a half tsp of salt
• Add 1 cup warm water
• Rinse mouth several times, making sure to not swallow mixture
• Repeat several times daily

6. Simple oregano Oil Neti Pot

Simply add 1 drop of oregano essential oil to your Neti Pot preparation.

7. Simple Cleansing Massage

Ingredients:

• 5 drops chamomile
• 2 drops lemon
• 1 drop thyme
• 1 teaspoon of your preferred massage oil (argan, coconut,sesame, sweet almond, jojoba,grapeseed, macadamia)

Directions:

• Combine ingredients and massage over neck area and behind ears

Diffuse Thieve’s oil and rub some {with a carrier oil} on your feet then put on socks.

8. Simple orange Oil Throat Swab

This is another quick and easy application. Simply saturate a q-tip with bitter orange essential oil and swab the back of your throat with it.

Follow with a glass of warm water or sore throat drink preparation.

Additional (Non-Essential Oil Based) Remedies and Tips for a Sore Throat

Now that we’ve covered essential oil remedies et’s talk about some other natural remedies for a sore throat (there are many).

Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar (ACV) is considered an effective sore throat remedy for it’s ability to relieve throat discomfort, improve immune system response and support overall health. To use mix 1-2 tablespoons raw organic ACV and 2 tablespoons of raw honey and 1  into a glass of warm water. Drink slowly, gargling as you drink (Optional – add 1 drop lemon essential oil.) Wash mouth out with water as a way to remove residual acids from your mouth and teeth.

If you have a hard time with the intense taste of ACV, up your ratio of honey to vinegar.

Cayenne Pepper

Cayenne pepper is a well known sore throat tonic. It works so well in part because it contains the powerful anti-inflammatory and antibacterial agent capsaicin. Those suffering with sore throat often experience immediate relief from soreness and swelling when used.

Ways to use cayenne for sore throat:

• Dip a wet q-tip in cayenne powder and apply to your throat. Avoid getting it on your tongue / lips.
• Gargle 1 tsp of cayenne with salt in an 8 oz cup of warm water. Gargle every 15 minutes or so for a couple of hours.
• Gargle and swallow a drink a mixture of 1/8 tsp cayenne powder, 1/4 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp clove powder in 4 ounces of warm water. Alternative recipe: 2 tbsp cayenne, 1 tbsp ACV, raw honey and warm water.

Fresh-squeezed lemon

Lemon works well for treating sore throats because it has natural antiseptic, salivation promoting, vitamin and nutrient dense health supporting qualities. To use lemon simply squeeze fresh lemon juice or apply 1 drop of lemon essential oil to a glass of warm water or to your other sore throat remedies.

Raw Honey

Honey soothes and disinfects with its antibacterial and antiviral properties. You can use honey for a sore throat by simply licking it off of a spoon for quick relief or you can apply it to tea or any drink mixture that you’ve concocted for your throat.

Ginger

Ginger is anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antioxidant and anti-emetic. It decreases swelling, inflammation and pain and suppresses allergic reactions. It also has antioxidant activity that supports the immune response. You can simply chew on fresh ginger or cut it up and add it to tea or as an extra ingredient in your sore remedy drinks/concoctions.

Garlic

Garlic has a long history of medicinal use. It is a serious tonic to the immune system and packs a strong antiviral/antibacterial punch. When dealing with colds and sore throats it’s a good idea to add it to as many of your food preparations as possible. If you enjoy sipping your remedies just pour some boiling water over a few peeled garlic cloves and drink.

Osha Root

For the more adventurous try chewing on some Osha Root (also called Snake Root). Used by my people for centuries, it is excellent for throat ailments. Alternatively you could use an osha root tincture.

Elderberry Syrup

Elderberry syrup fights cold symptoms and supports clearing of the throat passageway by reducing mucous secretions. It also decreases swelling which improves breathing and decreases discomfort in respiratory passages.

Pomegranates

These tangy fruits are an enjoyable snack to munch on that provide support to a sore in an enjoyable way. Research has shown pomegranates to be effective against many strains of flu and various viruses. It’s recommended to eat 1/2 of a pomegranate every 3 hours until your symptoms have subsided.

Coconut Oil

Coconut oil is both an incredibly healthy fat and a powerful anti-viral agent that soothes bodily tissue inside and out. To treat a sore throat simply let 1/2 tsp of virgin coconut oil melt in your mouth and slowly slide down your throat. It should reduce the duration of your soreness and relieve pain in the process.

Olive Leaf Extract

Olive leaf is antioxidant, astringent and anti-septic. It is known to treat and soothe sore throats and can be found in some sore throat sprays.

Propolis Spray

Propolis is a protective agent used by bees that coats the insides of the colony. It is also beneficial when used to coat a sore throat. It kills bacteria and viruses and supports the immune system in fighting off infection.

Half an Onion by the Bed

Sounds crazy, but cut an onion in half and keep it on your nightstand. Many people swear by this as a natural remedy. Onions emit a strong smell (and healing properties in that smell). Keeping a fresh slide of onion bedside every night can support clearing out of infection.

Sore Throat Prevention

Whew – that was a long list.

I’ll leave you with a few tips to help you prevent getting a sore throat (and colds) in the future.

The most important steps in reducing the likelihood of developing a sore throat is to keep your immune system strong and avoid allergenic promoting foods and environmental conditions.

Here are a few potent immune boosters to keep your bodies defenses in top shape day in and day out:

• Sambucol Elderberry elixir
• Instant Immunity Support Formula
• 5,000 IU Vitamin D3 Supplements
• Cod liver oil
• Fungi Perfecti Host Defense

Conclusion

Hopefully you’ve found a recipe that’s useful for you.

If you have any comments, concerns or additions of your own please leave a comment below! : )