Sore/Strep Throat

Natural Help for Sore Throat/Strep

A Sore Throat is the result of Pharyngitis, an inflammation of the pharynx, which is in the back of the throat, between the tonsils and the voicebox (larynx)

 

A Sore throat may be the first sign of any of the following:

· Common cold

· Influenza/Flu

· Laryngitis (inflammation of the voice box and vocal cords)

· A childhood illnesses including chickenpox, measles etc.

· Acid reflux may cause sore or different strange feelings in throat.

· Possible Strep

Many germs can cause pharyngitis. Viruses are the most common cause of pharyngitis. Soreness brought on by viruses usually develops gradually, with little or no fever. A fever over 101 for more than three days is more likely to be strep throat. Multiple cold or flu symptoms accompany a viral infection, while strep throat usually does not cause multiple symptoms such as runny nose, cough, and congestion. A bacterial infection like strep throat (caused by Streptococcus infection) often comes on suddenly with high fever. Tonsils are red, swollen, spotted with white or yellow dots. Citrus juices, such as orange juice, often "burn" the sore throat caused by a virus, but are usually not painful to strep throat. Most cases of pharyngitis occur during the colder months. The illness can often spread among family members, so scrupulous hand washing is a must.

Sore Throat irritation (Without an Infection) can also be caused by the following:

· Postnasal drip

· Smoking

· Air pollution

· Dry heat

· Allergic reaction

· Acid reflux

· Repeated vomiting (like bulimia) caused by stomach acids

Natural Help:

• Avoid antibiotics when a sore throat is due to infection with a virus. The antibiotics will not help. Using them to treat viral infections helps strengthen bacteria to become resistant to antibiotics. 
• Gargle several times a day with warm salt water (1/2 tsp of salt in 1 cup water). 
•  Drink cold liquids or suck on Popsicles. 
• Suck on a spoon dipped in Honey to sooth the throat.
• Use a cool-mist vaporizer or humidifier to moisten and soothe a dry and painful throat. Add 2-3 drops Essential Oil and 1 tsp Salt for added help. Adding moisture to the air will help to prevent the lining of your throat from becoming too dry. 
• If your sore throat is recurrent, then buy a new toothbrush. Bacteria collect on the bristles and if you injure your gums as you brush, they can enter your system and re-infect you.
• Eliminate dairy products, sugar, and refined wheat foods as they cause mucous which creates throat irritation.  
• Place a warm towel around the throat area and leave on for up to 5 minutes. This mimics an isolated fever, allowing for more circulation and accelerating the gathering of white blood cells to the area to help fight any infection.

Herbal Help

Garlic

Garlic has antiseptic properties. At the first sign of a sore throat, place one clove of garlic in your mouth between your cheeks and teeth and keep it for a while. Repeat it several times a day.

• You can also eat two raw cloves each day without anything or chop finely and add to hot soup just before serving. 
• Can also crush one clove of raw garlic and add 2 teaspoons of honey and 1 drop Lemon oil. Take from the mixture 1 teaspoon several times a day.

Alkaline Gargle

Viruses and Bacteria strains can not live in an Alkaline environment.  

• Add 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda to a glass of warm water. Gargle every 30 minutes.

Herbal Gargle 

• The best sore throat remedy is Slippery elm (Ulmus rubra) bark or Marshmallow (Althaea officinalis) root. They contain mucilage that coat the throat, ease soreness and calm inflammation.  
• To make a tea, mix 2 teaspoons of the dried root or bark in two cups of water, bring to boil and simmer gently for 10-15 minutes, strain and gargle/drink every hour.
• A traditional recipe is to simmer 1 teaspoon marshmallow root and 1 teaspoon chopped fresh ginger root in 8oz. water for 10 minutes in a covered pot. Remove from the heat, cover and steep for additional 10 minutes. Strain, add honey and/or lemon and/or 1/2 teaspoon of salt and gargle every 30 minutes if helps.

Onion Syrup
Place slices of onion in a mason jar and cover with honey. Cover and leave overnight. Next morning, strain liquid into a jar and take it sometimes as a lozenge for sore throat. (It is an excellent cough syrup as well) Keep refrigerated.

Essential Oil Help

*Please contact a Health Care Practitioner, trained in the safety and chemical understanding of essential oils and herbs, including the knowledge of anatomy, physiology, and pharmaceutical drug interactions BEFORE ingesting essential oils.

Essential Oils can help, not only with the pain of irritation, but also if there is a possibility of a viral or bacterial infection. A basic gargle recipe will have a Citrus and Salt in it. Lemon essential oil (or any citrus) helps with shrinking the swollen membranes of the throat and aids in the rapid removal of accumulated mucus in the throat. Salt will inhibit bacterial growth in the warm and moist places of the body like the throat, which is a perfect environment for bacterial multiplication and growth. Lemon juice and Salt dry up the throat, don't use them, if you have a dry throat irritation.

Sore Throat Gargle

Use this gargle to relieve sore throat, hoarseness, and respiratory congestion.

· 1 drop Cayenne oil (depending on individual tolerance, use more or less)

· 2 Tbsp salt

· 10 drops Peppermint oil

· 10 drops Orange oil

· 2 drops Thyme oil

· 2 drops Myrrh oil

Bring 2 cups of water to a boil. Reduce heat, add salt. Simmer 15 minutes. Stir vigorously, remove from heat, and add essential oils.

Gargle with 1 cupful. Rinse out mouth with plain water, and repeat with the second cup of gargle solution. Avoid swallowing the solution.

Ginger Gargle

Add 1-2 drops Ginger Root oil to 2 teaspoons honey. Stir into 8oz. Warm water. Add a trace of Cayenne to spice it up.

Use as a gargle every 30 minutes. (Get a trace of oil by dipping the tip of a toothpick into the Cayenne essential oil)

Oregano (Origanum vulgare) Essential Oil is a very effective sore throat remedy.

· Mix together 2-3 drops Oregano oil and 1 ounce Carrier oil, then soak a Q-tip with the mixture and dab it directly on the inflamed area. (If you find it is too hot, add some more Carrier oil.)

· You may gargle with 2-3 drops of Oregano oil and 1 tsp Salt in some hot water as well. It can take up to an hour for soreness to be gone.

Drink warm liquids*

• Honey-Lemon Tea
• Place 2 drops Lemon oil and one Tsp. Honey into 8oz warm water. Stir and Sip.

• Honey-Spice Tea
• Place 2 drops per la Immunity oil and one Tsp. Honey into 8oz warm water. Stir and Sip.

Sore Throat Spray*

Add 5-20 drops per la Immunity (more or less depending on how much you can handle) to 1 ½ ounce water, in a 2oz spray bottle. (Use glass, if possible. Essential oils will break down plastics after awhile)

Shake and spray into back of throat several times a day.

Kids Sore Throat Spray*

· 5 drops per la Immunity

· 10 drops Pink Grapefruit

· ½ teaspoon Honey or Agave Nectar

· 1 ½ oz Water

· Add to 2 oz Spray bottle and shake and spray into back of throat.

If you have Strep Throat

Do any of the above helps to ease the throat pain, and do the following:

Place 2-3 drops Oregano oil in a capsule and fill the rest with a carrier oil. Take 2-3 times daily for 5-7 days.*

Dry Eye Syndrome

Dry Eye Syndrome

Dry eyes occur due to lack of tears being produced or the quality of the tear is suboptimal. There may be inflammatory cells within the tears, and because of this inflammation, (that cannot be seen unless under a microscope), the tears may not stick to the surface of the sclera or the cornea.

The eye depends on a constant flow of tears to maintain lubrication and comfort. When the eye becomes dry, this can be a source of irritation. Dry eye syndrome is a common and often painful condition that can cause damage to the cornea and harm vision. People who wear contact lenses often suffer from dry eye syndrome, as do many of those who undergo laser procedures to correct their vision. Women going through menopause also frequently develop this condition. There are many causes for dry eye syndrome and I have listed them below.

Symptoms include burning, pain, irritation, blurred vision, and the most common symptom of dry eyes is excess tearing as the eyes try to compensate for the dryness.

Causes: 

• Dry eye syndrome can be caused by Vitamin A deficiency. 
• Intake of too much Red Meat (Omega 6 fatty acids)
•  Fatigue or Lack of sleep.
• Demodex (Eyelash mites) or Blepharitis (chronic inflammation of the eyelid) can possibly cause dry eyes.
• Exposure to many environmental conditions that have a drying effect, such as a dry climate, sun exposure, wind, high altitude, cigarette smoke, hot blowing air and the dry air that commonly occurs in the cabins of commercial airplanes. 
• Those who wear contact lenses or who have had LASIK treatment can have dry eyes 
• Medications that can cause dry eyes include diuretics, antihistamines and decongestants, certain sleeping pills, tricyclic antidepressants, and isotretinoin-type drugs for treatment of acne. 
• Allergies can also cause dry eye and it is medically known as Allergic Conjunctivitis. The allergic reaction can result in dry eyes, or the dust, mold, or mildew or dander that triggered the allergies can cause dye eye 
• Eye Drops are a little known culprit behind dry eyes. Eye drops that have preservatives or methylcellulose in them can actually cause allergic eye reaction that can dry out the eyes. 
• Estrogen Deficiency and dry eye are usually linked because of menopause or a hysterectomy. These conditions can either cause dry eye or make an existing condition worse.

What keeps the eye Moist?

Hyaluronic acid (HA, hyaluronan) is a special protein that exists naturally in all living organisms. In the human body, it is found in greatest concentrations in the synovial fluid of articular joints for lubrication, the vitreous humor (fluid) of the eye, and most abundantly in the skin. Hyaluronic acid is known for its beneficial effects on patients suffering from dry eye syndrome. Applied to the surface of the eye, it reduces the symptoms and damage associated with dry eye. Hyaluronic acid makes up 95% of the fluid inside the eye. Acts as a shock absorber for the eye and also serves to transport nutrients into the eye. HA plays a major role in maintaining the health of ocular tissues such as the cornea, the retina, and the vitreous fluid that fills the inside of the eye. It is been said that after the 5th decade of life, the eye has lost 50% of its ability to product the needed HA. Without out HA, we fail to have proper eye health.

Natural Help: 

• Increase Omega 3 fatty acids, and decrease intake of Omega 6 fatty acids (as found in red meats)
  •  Good sources of omega 3 fatty acids include salmon, tuna, sardines, herring and cod liver oil, as well as certain nuts. Also, Flaxseed oil is recommended for the relief of dry eye symptoms due to it’s high levels of omega 3 fatty acids. Flax seed oil should always be taken orally – never applied directly to the eye.

• Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid): Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant and free radical scavenger. It is also known as a preventative of degenerative conditions, including cataracts. Foods that contain ascorbic acid are citrus fruits, tomatoes, strawberries, green peppers, potatoes, broccoli, green leafy vegetables, watermelon, brussel sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, guava, pineapple, cantaloupe, and sweet red pepper.

• Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin): Vitamin B2 is essential for energy and in the production of antibodies. Deficiencies in riboflavin are characterized by corneal vascularization, among other things.

• Glucosamine and Chondroitin Sulfate , taken together, have reportedly improved the symptoms of dry eye also. Chondroitin is a constituent of the eye drops used during cataract removal. People who are allergic to shell fish, however, should not take these supplements. (CosaminDS is a brand name that has both and can be purchased at Costco)

• Honey: For extreme dryness make a solution of one part honey and ten parts of water. Keep this chilled and put two drops in each eye every night before going to sleep. This will give some burning feeling and your eyes will start giving tears. Tears are helpful for curing this ailment. Tears will take care of this problem of dry eyes. Do not worry about burning, it will subside in a few minutes. After this, clean your eyes with cold water.

• Damp Wash cloth: Close the eyes to place a damp wash cloth in warm water over the eyes for five to fifteen minutes to get relief from this ailment Repeat this by re wetting the cloth in warm water to be placed over the eyes. This may be repeated as many times as is required. It can help to open the clogged oil glands in the eyes to restore moisture in the eyes to cure this disease immediately.

Essential Oil Help:

Keeping the body hydrated will in turn help keep the eyes hydrated and moist.  

• Drink half your body weight, in ounces. (Example: You weigh 150 pounds, you should drink 75 ounces of water)  
• Add 1-2 drops of Lemon or Peppermint oil to a 16 ounce glass of water to cause a cell to cell communication within the body.
• Refer to our blog link on Water/Hydration.

Lavender Essential oil is beneficial to rejuvenate and assist in cell regrowth, as well as moisturize. Its considered to have antiseptic and analgesic properties which can prevent infection and promote rapid healing.  

• Mix 1 drop lavender in 1 ounce Carrier oil. 
• Rub 2-3 drops of the mixture over the closed eyelid 2x daily.

 

In the case of Demodex (Eyelash mites) or Blepharitis (chronic inflammation of the eyelid) the use of Tea Tree oil should be used to reducing the amount of bacteria on the eyelids and give the meibomian glands a chance to regain their function.

• Mix together 1 drop Tea Tree essential oil to 1 drop Carrier oil. ( 1:1 or 50% dilution)  
• Dip a Q-tip into the diluted mixture and carefully apply a layer over the top of each eyelid. 
• Be sure to avoid getting into the eye, itself. Flush the eye with carrier oil, not water, if Tea Tree comes in contact with the eye.