How to Treat Strep Throat Naturally

Co-authored by Ritu Thakur, MA and Danielle Blinka, MA, MPA

Last Updated: February 19, 2022 References

Dealing with strep throat can be an unpleasant experience, but you should start to feel better with treatment. If you have strep throat, you may want to try natural remedies to treat it at home. Additionally, over-the-counter treatments can help support your recovery. However, strep throat is caused by a bacterial infection, so it can cause complications, such as rheumatic fever, if it’s not treated with an antibiotic.^{[1]
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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services
Go to source} It’s best to see your doctor.

Method 1

Method 1 of 4:

All-Natural Home Remedies

1
Gargle with warm salt water to soothe your throat. Add 1/4 teaspoon (1.42 grams) of salt into 8 fluid ounces (240 mL) of warm water. Stir the water until the salt dissolves. Then, take a sip of salt water and gargle with it at the back of your throat. Finally, spit out the water, being careful not to swallow.^{[2]
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- Swallowing salt water can cause an upset stomach.
2
Soothe your sore throat with warm water or decaffeinated tea. Warm drinks provide temporary relief for a sore throat. Simply warm up the water, then drink it plain. Alternatively, steep a tea bag in the water for 3-5 minutes, then sip on it until it's gone.^{[3]
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- Herbal teas are a great option that are naturally caffeine free.
- Marshmallow root tea and licorice tea both help relieve sore throat. You can find the bagged tea at many grocery stores or online. However, they aren’t right for everyone, so talk to your doctor if you have a medical condition or are taking any medication.^{[4]
  X
  Research source} Additionally, these teas may cause an upset stomach.
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3
Drink ginger or cinnamon tea for sore throat relief and antibacterial properties. Both ginger and cinnamon can relieve your throat pain and may help fight off your infection. They have antibacterial properties, so they may help kill the strep bacteria. To make the tea, steep a tea bag in warm water for the time recommended on the box. Then, sip the tea until it’s gone.^{[5]
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- You can find bagged ginger or cinnamon tea at many grocery stores or online.
Variation: If you don’t like tea, you can make cinnamon almond milk. Mix together 1/2 teaspoon (2.5 ml) of cinnamon and 1/8 teaspoon (0.6 ml) of baking soda in a saucepan, then add 1 cup (240 mL) of store-bought almond milk. Heat the mixture over medium heat until it begins to simmer, then pour it in your mug. If you like, you can add a sweetener, such as honey, to your taste.^{[6]
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4
Stir honey into your hot beverage to temporarily coat your throat. Honey is a popular sore throat treatment because it sticks to the back of your throat and temporarily makes it feel better. Simply add 1 or 2 spoonfuls of honey to warm water or tea, then stir until it’s dissolved. Sip on your drink until it’s gone.^{[7]
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- As an added benefit, honey may prevent coughing.
- Don’t give honey to babies under the age of 1, as it may make them ill.
5
Eat popsicles, sherbet, or ice to soothe your throat. Like warm beverages, frozen foods may help soothe your throat pain. Additionally, they help increase your fluid intake. Suck on a popsicle, eat a bowl of sherbet or ice cream, or put chips of ice on your tongue to help you get relief.^{[8]
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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services
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- If you decide to eat ice cream, you may want to avoid flavors that have mix-ins, which could scratch your throat. For instance, plain chocolate ice cream might be a good option, but cookies and cream has cookie bits that could irritate your throat.
6
Use a humidifier to help soothe your sore throat. Pour distilled water into the humidifier up to the fill line, then turn it on. A humidifier produces steam into the air, which makes the air moist. Moisture in the air can soothe your sore throat, as well as your airways. This may help relieve your sore throat symptoms.^{[9]
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Mayo Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
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Variation: Although warm humidifiers might seem more soothing, you can also get relief using a cool mist humidifier. The cool mist will still moisturize the air, which provides you with sore throat relief. Additionally, cool mist humidifiers may be safer for use around children, since they don’t contain hot water.^{[10]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 4:

Self-Care

1
Stay home to rest your body. Your body needs lots of rest to recover from strep throat, especially if you’re trying to treat it naturally. Call in to work or school, then lay in your bed or on the couch for the entire day. Keep yourself occupied with relaxing activities, like reading, coloring, writing, or watching TV.^{[11]
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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services
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Tip: Strep throat is very contagious, so it’s a courtesy to others for you to stay home. Don’t try to go to work or school, as you may spread the infection.
2
Drink a lot of fluids to help soothe your throat and stay hydrated. Keep a drink beside you at all times so you can sip throughout the day. Great options include warm water or tea, but you might also drink room temperature water for an easy option.^{[12]
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Cleveland Clinic
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- Cold drinks won’t be as soothing to your throat, so it’s best to stick to warm beverages. Similarly, don’t drink orange juice, as it may burn your throat.
3
Eat warm, soothing foods that aren’t too spicy. Soft, warm foods are less likely to irritate your throat. Plus, broth-based foods like soup may soothe your throat and temporarily relieve some of your sore throat discomfort. Choose foods like soup, oatmeal, porridge, applesauce, mashed potatoes, or yogurt.^{[13]
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Mayo Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
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- Spicy or crunchy foods can irritate your throat, so it’s best to avoid these.
4
Stay away from irritating fumes, which might worsen your sore throat. You may have to ask your family or housemates to help you keep potential irritants out of our environment. Fumes from cigarette smoke, harsh cleansers, air freshener, hairspray, perfume, paint, and similar products can really irritate your throat. While you’re recovering, do your best to minimize your exposure to them.
- If your family or housemates are bringing in the fumes, say, “That smoke is making my throat hurt worse. Do you think you can do that outside until I feel better?”

Method 3

Method 3 of 4:

Over-the-Counter Treatments

1
Take over-the-counter pain relievers for pain and inflammation. NSAIDs like ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and naproxen (Aleve) are your best option, if your doctor approves them. These medications both relieve pain and reduce inflammation in your body, which can help you heal faster. However, you can also take acetaminophen (Tylenol) to just help with pain.^{[14]
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Trustworthy Source
Mayo Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
Go to source}
- NSAIDs aren’t right for everyone, so it’s best to check with your doctor.
- Be sure to read the label and take the medication as directed.
- Make sure you never give Aspirin to children under the age of 12.
2
Use an antiseptic throat spray for temporary sore throat relief. These sprays coat your throat to help reduce throat irritation. Simply aim the nozzle at the back of your throat, then squeeze to mist your throat with the medicine. The spray will temporarily reduce your sore throat pain.^{[15]
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- You can find an antiseptic throat spray in the cold, flu, and allergy treatment section of your local drug store. Alternatively, you can order one online.
3
Suck on a throat lozenge to soothe your sore throat. Like throat sprays, lozenges can provide temporary sore throat relief. Purchase a throat drop or cough drop, then suck on one lozenge until it’s fully dissolved.^{[16]
X
Trustworthy Source
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services
Go to source}
- Check the label on your lozenges to find out how often you can take them. You will likely need to wait 2-3 hours between lozenges. Don’t take too many, as they can cause an upset stomach.
- Don’t give throat lozenges to young children, as they’re a choking hazard.

Method 4

Method 4 of 4:

Medical Treatment and Antibiotics

1
Visit your doctor if your symptoms haven’t improved after 48 hours. It’s a good idea to see your doctor as soon as you suspect strep. Even if you’ve already gotten a diagnosis, however, return to the doctor if you haven’t seen improvement after 2 days.^{[17]
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Mayo Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
Go to source} Strep throat typically causes the following symptoms:^{[18]
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Trustworthy Source
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services
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- Sudden sore throat
- Pain while swallowing
- Red, swollen tonsils
- White patches or pus on the back of your throat
- Tiny red spots on the back of the roof of your mouth
- Fever
- Headache
- Body aches
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Rash
- Nausea or vomiting (more often in children)
2
Get immediate care if you have problems breathing or swallowing. These symptoms can quickly become serious, so don’t hesitate to seek care. Call your doctor for a same day appointment or visit an urgent care center. You healthcare provider will make sure you get the treatment you need to feel better fast.^{[19]
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Trustworthy Source
Mayo Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
Go to source}
- Breathing problems are an emergency situation, even if you know what’s causing them. You really need to see a doctor to make sure you’ll be okay.
3
Take an antibiotic to cure your infection and prevent complications. Since strep throat is a bacterial infection, you will likely need an antibiotic to treat it. Your doctor may prescribe a 7-10 day treatment regimen. Make sure you take all of your medication, even if you’re feeling better. Stopping the medication early may cause your illness to return.^{[20]
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Trustworthy Source
Mayo Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
Go to source}

Tip: You may want to avoid antibiotics because you know they’re often over-prescribed, and that’s a great idea most of the time. However, strep throat is the kind of infection that may not go away without an antibiotic. If you have concerns, talk to your doctor about your options so that you can avoid an antibiotic if possible.

Expert Q&A

Question

When can I wash my hair?

Laura Marusinec, MD
Board Certified Pediatrician
Dr. Marusinec is a board certified Pediatrician at the Children's Hospital of Wisconsin, where she is on the Clinical Practice Council. She received her M.D. from the Medical College of Wisconsin School of Medicine in 1995 and completed her residency at the Medical College of Wisconsin in Pediatrics in 1998. She is a member of the American Medical Writers Association and the Society for Pediatric Urgent Care.

Laura Marusinec, MD

Board Certified Pediatrician

Expert Answer

You can wash your hair any time. Every two days is ideal for most people. Having strep throat does not affect this.
Question

What is a home remedy for sore throat?

Ritu Thakur, MA
Natural Health Care Professional
Ritu Thakur is a healthcare consultant in Delhi, India, with over 10 years of experience in Ayurveda, Naturopathy, Yoga, and Holistic Care. She received her Bachelor Degree in Medicine (BAMS) in 2009 from BU University, Bhopal followed by her Master's in Health Care in 2011 from Apollo Institute of Health Care Management, Hyderabad.

Ritu Thakur, MA

Natural Health Care Professional

Expert Answer

Start treating your sore throat with natural remedies like gargling with lukewarm salt water every two hours. Saltwater treats the infection and soothes the throat. Another treatment is sipping a mixture of turmeric, cinnamon, and ginger; the decoction relieves the pain and helps fight the infection.

Warnings

Strep throat is caused by a bacteria called Streptococcus pyogenes. If it’s not treated properly, strep throat can cause serious complications, such as rheumatic fever or kidney inflammation. It’s best to work with your doctor to treat your illness.

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