Strep Throat Home Remedies During Pregnancy
Strep throat is an infection caused by group-A streptococcus bacteria. It causes inflammation of the throat, tonsils, and lymph nodes. The incubation period for strep throat is usually 3-5 days.
Common symptoms:
- Throat inflammation and swelling.
- Difficult breathing.
- Difficulty in swallowing.
- Mucus- producing cough.
- Fatigue.
- Body weakness.
- Headache.
- Nausea.
- Poor appetite.
- Enlargement of the lymph nodes and tonsils.
- Excessive sweating.
- Fever.
Although strep needs to be treated by a doctor with antibiotics, there are some home remedies that can help with the symptoms of strep.
They are:
- First and foremost- get plenty of rest, proper nutrition, and plenty of fluids.
- Drink chamomile tea every few hours. Chamomile is a natural analgesic that will help with the throat pain and headaches. It can also help reduce fever and keep you hydrated.
- Sage, both in the form of a tincture or capsules, reduces inflammation and protects the soft tissues of the throat and respiratory system.
- Garlic is a natural antibiotic.
- Gargling with a salt water solution fights bacteria and can reduce inflammation and pain.
- A warm room temperature and increased air humidity will help.
- Avoid chemicals and irritants (cigarette smoke and alcohol vapors).
- Strong persistent odors can further irritate the inflammation of the respiratory system.
- Drink warm liquids. Liquids that are too hot or too cold can cause throat irritation and pain.
- Gargle with cayenne pepper and water mixture.
- Mix 3 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar, three tablespoons of honey and eight ounces of water. Drink slowly.
- Grate about one and a half tablespoons of fresh ginger root and mix with honey and lemon. Drink as a tea two to three times a day. This will help the sore throat and the nausea.
- Lemon balm tea will help the sore throat.
- Mix chopped garlic with fresh basil and olive oil. It’s best if you have it with bread.
- Chop a clove of garlic into very small pieces. Add the juice of two limes or lemons and two teaspoons of honey. Take one teaspoon every thirty minutes.
These remedies will help alleviate the symptoms of strep throat, but will not make strep throat go away. You will need to see a doctor to make sure it is strep throat. The doctor will then prescribe antibiotics for you. Remember none of these remedies are going to work well if you don’t take care of yourself and get adequate rest. Eat a well balanced diet and drink plenty of fluids.
