Sore throat remedy

[MunkeyBoy]

I woke up this morning with the most horrible sore throat ever, it feels like i have a cactus stuck in my throat! (Before you say it, yes I have checked and there isn't a cactus in there :OP)

Does anyone have any good remedies or old wives tales that actually work for a sore throat until I get time to go to the docs (I already have lozenges & a spray thingy)?

[woofgang]

gargle with dissolvable aspirin

[Hendrix55]

I used to get horrid sore throats all the time.  No old wives remedies, but I used to take ibuprofen and paracetamol together (which is ok), and had some great lozenges called Dequacaine - they taste rather medicinal, but make Soothers look like fruit pastels in terms of effect.  Vitamin C boosts immunity but maybe a bit late for that - can't hurt though and might stop it getting worse.  My sis-in-law swears by gargling with Tea Tree but I can't bring myself to do it.

[hannahjo]

My mums remedy is a cup of honey and lemon. Boil some water, squeeze in some lemon (im not sure if its half or a whole lemon, but i guess you can do it to taste!) a put a big spoonful of honey in. It does work, but unfortunately only a short while!!

[justineo]

I read this morning that gargling with vinegar and water really helps, haven't tried it myself though!

[Clanad]

Since the majority of sore throats are caused by sinus drainage, relief can often be gained by simply spraying saline solution in each nostril several times a day.  This keeps the sinuses irrigated and more readily flushes the bacteria that grow in them.  The spray has no medicinal value.  It can be slightly warmed, which also soothes the sinuses and back of the throat... Good luck!

[GucciGal]

my mate at work says gargle with TCP. Hope that helps

[happy_face]

I agree with Hendrix55. I swear by Dequacaine when I've got a sore throat. It's got a mild anaesthetic which numbs the throat.

Make sure you get the pink and white box as there's a orange and white one with a very similar name and doesn't work to the same effect. You can get Dequacaine everywhere

[happy_face]

By the way MunkeyBoy how's the tat doing?

[shivvy]

Make the most of a bad thing and have a hot whiskey.  Maybe not before you go to work - but when you get home!!  If you need the recipe I can oblige!!

[smurfchops]

Try taking two Echinacea (from Holland and Barrett) on the first signs of a sore throat, itchy nose, or if anyone around you is sneezing or has a cold or flu. Then take one every day for a week. It helps build up the immune system but DON'T take them all the time.  Also take a fizzy Vitamin C tablet every morning.

[MunkeyBoy]

Thanks for all your answers I was in so much pain last night that I'm going to the docs today but will still give some of them a try.

The tat is superb thanks happy_face (so nice to have someone recognise me :O) ), healed up nicely about 5 days ago and I'm so happy with the result. I used a combination of tattoo goo to start with and then towards the end moved onto Savlon. The colour hasn't faded one bit and I'm so glad, just decided what I'm going to have next now...

[happy_face]

Glad to hear it MunkeyBoy. I've used Savlon for years and I've never experienced any fading or bleaching so whatever you think works best for you is great.

Yes I know it is rather an addictive thing that, good luck