Cayenne pepper for sore throat

Sore throat is a very common ailment that affects people especially during cold and flu season. There are many, many home remedies, as well as over-the-counter medications that aim to relieve the discomfort due to sore throat. One of the best home remedies for this purpose is cayenne pepper.

Some people cringe just at the mention of cayenne pepper, because it can be very hot. Others love it and use it generously in their dishes to spice them up. However, it is useful to know that, even for those who do not care for spicy foods, cayenne pepper can be very beneficial. It can be used to treat minor ailments, like sore throat, but also to prevent heart disease, even heart attack.

Cayenne pepper for sore throat

The most important ingredient of cayenne pepper is capsaicin, which has the ability to fight viruses. Since sore throat is usually the consequence of flu or common cold, which are caused by viruses, cayenne pepper is the perfect remedy for it. On the other hand, in case of strep throat, which is caused by bacteria, it is recommended to add some salt to the preparations with cayenne pepper, because salt can kill bacteria.

Cayenne pepper, used for gargling or as a mouthwash, can cause a rather severe burning sensation both inside and around the mouth. Also, its frequent use can cause heartburn. If using cayenne pepper preparations to treat sore throat, its use should be paused as soon as the symptoms subside, in order to avoid irritation for the entire body, especially for the digestive system.

Cayenne pepper recipes for sore throat

One of the most widely used preparations with cayenne pepper is similar to a tea. It combines one cup of water, one teaspoon of ground cayenne pepper, juice from half a lemon, and honey according to taste. All these ingredients are known for their ability to soothe a sore throat.

The preparation of this beverage is simple. The water should be boiled and then mixed with the other ingredients. This “tea” should be sipped slowly several times a day to soothe the throat and speed up the healing process.

The other classic remedy is actually a soup. It contains beneficial garlic, known for its antiviral and antibacterial properties.

The ingredients for this soup are two minced garlic cloves, one teaspoon of cayenne pepper, one can of tomato soup, water to thin the soup, and a dash of lemon juice.

The preparation is simple and it only takes mixing all the ingredients in a sauce pan and bringing them to boil. The soup should boil only for an instant and then it should be removed from heat, allowed to cool slightly and sipped while it is still warm.