Throat infections are very common and almost all of us suffer from it at least once or twice in our lifetime. Regular bouts of infection can leave your immune system weakened and you will therefore be more vulnerable to other diseases and infections. A healthy immune system will also minimize your risks of getting throat infections.
A throat infection is often caused by invasive bacteria and the more serious infections are caused by various viruses. The microbes lodge in the respiratory tract and so in order to get rid of the infection as quickly as possible, it is important that you ensure that your tract is free of all mucous. Mucous contains the bacteria or virus causing the infection and so expelling it will go a long way in curing yourself. Mucous often thickens within the tract and this makes it tough to cough it up. Drink plenty of hot water throughout your day as this will help to thin the mucous. The hot water will also help to kill off the bacteria or virus present in your throat. It is better to add a few spoons of fresh lemon juice to the hot water as lemon juice is acidic in nature and will also prevent the spread of the infection.
Aside from hot water, include plenty of hot fluids in your diet. Soups and broths are very effective in treating a sore throat. A thick onion soup seasoned with plenty of finely chopped garlic will help to boost your immune system. Chop a pod of garlic into four small pieces and slowly chew on one piece at a time before you swallow it. Garlic is a very powerful anti-biotic and this remedy will help to get rid of the infection quickly. If you find the taste of raw garlic too strong, you can use an onion tonic instead. Chop one or two onions as fine as you can and add a spoon or two of sugar to it. Mix the onion and sugar thoroughly and then leave it aside for about 30 minutes. You can then spoon out all the liquid from the bowl, mix it with an equal amount of honey and have it as a tonic for throat infections. This remedy is often appealing to children because of its sweet taste.
Make sure that you have plenty of vitamin C rich foods like citrus fruits such as lemons and oranges on a daily basis. Vitamin C is essential for a healthy immune system; which will in turn prevent throat infections. Meats like lobster, salmon and chicken as well as fruits like Avocado, Bananas and Blackberries are rich in zinc which is essential for a healthy immune system.
answered by S D