The news that is difficult to swallow is when the doctor says you have sore throat. One of the most common symptoms of a cold season with icy winds and rains doing their routine, sore throat is often a problem faced by people who are exposed to the weather outdoors and for people who are in the business of talking endlessly.

The underlying reasons that cause sore throats are enormous, as it could be any combination of bacteria or viruses. Viral infections usually last a week and they disappear as the body gets its defenses in place by then. However, there are other infections that are persistent, such as the Strep sore throat.

Strep sore throat is caused by infection of Streptococcus, a typical bad bacterium that causes redness and inflammation of the pharynx and wouldn’t go away without antibiotics – it is important to know the cause of your sore throat before you gulp that tiny tablet with water.

However, in most cases, sore throat can be effectively managed with a “Do-it-yourself” kit that would come in handy at the most painful moments. If you have a vaporiser, get a few drops of eucalyptus oil in a bowl of hot, boiling water and, while taking care not to immerse yourself in it, bend over carefully with a towel or some clean cloth placed strategically over your head so as not to let the vapour escape. Inhale with your nose hard so that you feel the rich flavour of eucalyptus on the throat. This clears up your nose block and you tackle your strep throat right in its own den!

Normal salt is germicidal by nature – a pinch of salt, preferably crystals, dissolved in a glass of water warm enough to be tolerated by your throat, and gargled consistently from every morning and night, as the first and the last thing you do in the day, will help.

When in pain, go for Tulsi! Tulsi is a wonder herb that has a host of benefits that come along with the tantalizingly delicious leaves and stem. Add tulsi leaves to a pot of boiling water and let it simmer and boil till the essence of the herb is captured in the liquid. Have the solution religiously, letting it stay in your buccal cavity for a while as you swallow.

Hot milk with turmeric powder added, not just for color but for its intense medicinal value, could be had at night after dinner. A pinch of black pepper could also be ground and added to add to the virility of the steaming milk.

Always have food hot or warm, stay away from ice or cold water, and repeat the medication till you find lasting relief from blocked nostrils and sore throat.