Home Remedies for a Sore Throat

            From Web MD

·        Get plenty of rest and drink a lot of fluids.

·        Gargle with warm salt water (1 teaspoon of salt per glass of water).

·        Suck on throat lozenges or hard candy.

·        Suck on frozen treats (such as Popsicles).

·        Use a humidifier.

·        Sip chicken broth, or try warm tea with honey, which has been a long-standing and comforting remedy.

·        To help relieve the pain, apply a warm heating pad or compress to your throat. You can also try a warm chamomile poultice: Mix 1 tablespoon dried chamomile flowers into 1 or 2 cups boiling water; steep for 5 minutes, then strain. Soak a clean cloth or towel in the tea, wring it out, then apply to your throat. Remove the cloth when it becomes cold. Repeat as often as necessary.

·        A salt plaster may also help provide relief. Mix 2 cups sea salt with 5 to 6 tablespoons lukewarm water. The salt should be damp, but not wet. Place the salt in the center of a dishtowel, then roll the towel along the longer side. Wrap the towel around your neck; cover it with another dry towel. Leave on for as long as you wish.

·        Try steam inhalations to ease the pain. Run very hot water in a sink. With a towel draped over your head to trap the steam, lean over the sink while the hot water is running. Breathe deeply through your mouth and nose for 5 to 10 minutes. Repeat several times a day. Always be careful not to burn yourself with the hot water or steam.

·        Take acetaminophen or ibuprofen or naproxen for pain relief.

Keep your neck warm as best you can. Consider using a neck warmer. Even some cloth wrapped around your neck may help. Try it out and see if it works for you. For example a cheap beanie with the top cut off works for me. Since I often feel funny about how it looks, I'll usually wear it a night when sleeping.

Here's the entire WebMD link:  http://www.webmd.com/cold-and-flu/understanding-sore-throat-treatment