Another steaming method is to boil a pot of water, remove it from the heat, place a towel over your head, and lean over the steaming pot. Check to make sure the steam isn’t too hot first. You can also buy fairly inexpensively steamers to place in a room or next to your bed. This tends to be more effective than boiling water.
Add 1 teaspoon of salt to a small amount of hot water. Let this cool for a bit and then add colder water. Gargle 1-2 times a day for 30-60 seconds each time. Spit once you’ve gargled. Do not swallow the salt water. Some people also gargle with an apple cider vinegar solution (1 tablespoon per cup of water). [4] X Trustworthy Source Cleveland Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source It won’t taste great, but it may work for you.
Along with the coating properties of its thick texture, honey also has antiseptic properties. [5] X Research source No wonder bees love it.
Stick to sugar-free versions – your dentist will thank you.
Common herbal teas like chamomile can provide relief, but some people swear by teas made from ingredients like peppermint, ginger, cloves, marshmallow root, echinacea, and slippery elm. Consider adding some honey or cinnamon to your tea, too. [7] X Expert Source Ritu Thakur, MANatural Health Care Professional Expert Interview. 25 July 2019. Both are thought to have great healing powers. Licorice root also can help soothe pain and treat throat infections naturally. [8] X Expert Source Ritu Thakur, MANatural Health Care Professional Expert Interview. 25 July 2019.
Limit your intake of caffeinated and alcoholic beverages, for the same reason an athletic trainer would recommend. [9] X Trustworthy Source National Health Service (UK) Public healthcare system of the UK Go to source These substances have a dehydrating effect, so regardless of what the commercials tell you, these are not the beverages to grab to quench your thirst. Some medications can have dehydrating effects also, so consider consulting your physician or pharmacist regarding your medications and dry throat symptoms.
If you notice dry throat especially after waking up, it may be the result of mouth-breathing during sleep – a potential sign of sinus adenoid issues.
If you suffer from reflux during the night, you might try to limit your intake of acid producing foods in the evening, prop your head up higher with pillows, prop up the headboard side legs of your bed with wood blocks, or consult your pharmacist or doctor regarding the use of over-the-counter or prescription medications.
This may also be your excuse to take a long winter vacation to a warm, tropical climate!
Dry throat can be an indicator of serious underlying medical conditions. [11] X Research source If you have repeated sore throats, too, consider seeing an ear, nose, and throat doctor. They can assess you to rule out these issues. If you have a fever and body aches with your dry throat, consult your physician to determine if you have an infection that may be of concern. [12] X Research source
