Sore Throat Spray and Gargle

Sore throats are no fun, really. I know I didn’t need to tell you that, you already knew that having a sore throat is one of the worst, yucky feelings there are.

Of course, you could spray your throat with an OTC throat spray and that does help quite a bit. You could suck on sore throat drops, and that can also help with a cough. But, what about something that is just as effective but more gentle?

In our family, the transition between summer and fall is when allergies, sore throats and coughs hit hard.

I haven’t been able to pinpoint WHAT the allergies are, but it happens every year between mid August and mid September. When Mr. Hippy came down with is sore throat and cough that almost happens every year at this time, he needed something fast. So, here’s the sore throat spray and gargle we make:

• 15 g elderberry (immune support)
• 3 g lavender (calming, anti-bacterial)
• 3 g lemon balm (anti-inflammatory, sedative)
• 1 cup (8 oz) water
• infuse the herbs by mixing together in a cup, adding the boiling water and allowing to steep for 20 minutes. Strain, and then add
• 2 T. apple cider vinegar (soothing to the throat)
• 1 T. raw honey (soothing to the throat)

Stir to mix.

We gargle with 1-2 T. every hour or so, as long as the sore throat persists.

You could also place this in a spray bottle and spray the back of the throat with 2-3 sprays as needed. This would be safe for children and adults, over the age of 2 (due to the possibility of choking when sprayed at the back of the throat)