Some of these nasty bugs can cause sore throats. Sore throats abound this time of year. Some are severe and require antibiotics, like with Strep (you don't want to mess around with Strep). Most sore throats, however, are relatively benign and are really just a symptom that you are fighting some sort of bug.
When Chinese medicine was developed thousands of years ago, the concept of pathogens like viruses, bacteria and fungi had yet to be discovered; doctors noticed how different illnesses caused different symptoms and would diagnose and treat patients according to how their symtpoms presented. They would treat the body, rather than the illness.
Chinese doctors identified the different pathogens as invasions of the elements: Wind, Heat, Cold, Damp and Dry, and would treat each patient according to these "External Pathogenic Factors." Our immune system is referred to as Wei Qi, which is a superficial layer of Qi that acts like a force field around us, protecting us from pathogenic invasions. When we get sick, our Wei Qi rises to the surface and battles the invading pathogen(s), seen as various symtpoms (headaches, runny nose, cough, sneeze, fever, chills, etc.) A sore throat is caused usually by an invasion of Wind and/or Heat, although Cold and Dry are also possible; dry, scratchy throats are often due to Wind and red, painful sore throats are due to Heat. You can also have sore throats that are due to physical irritation, like with a cough caused by post-nasal drip, but you would still categorize it according to its quality, scratchy or raw. This type of sore throat would have a Damp (Phlegm) element to it, and you would see other accompanying symptoms, but the sore throat itself would be categorized according to Wind or Heat.
Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine treat all sorts of illnesses, including sinusitis, rhinitis, sinus infections, coughs, post-nasal drip, bronchitis and others, and sore throat is definitely on that list as well. Acupuncture treats the body, so whether you are fighting a virus or bacterial infection, it doesn't matter, what matters is how the symptoms present. By boosting the immune system and helping the body fight off Heat, Wind, Damp, Cold and/or Dry, the body is able to recover more quickly from the illness and you feel better sooner.
My favorite home remedy for sore throat, or even hoarseness/loss of voice, is Hot water, juice of a 1/4 of a Lemon and a teaspoon to tablespoon of Raw Honey. You can drink this beverage all day long and it helps soothe the throat. The lemon has Vitamin C which can help you combat illness and is sour so can bring moisture into the throat. In addition to soothing a sore throat, honey can also ease a cough. While I usually encourage coughing, since it is your body attempting to get rid of phlegm and illness, at night when you are trying to sleep, coughing can interfere; when it comes to healing, sleep takes priority. A Tbsp of raw honey before bed can help calm your cough, soothe your throat and help you sleep better.
Sleep is essential for preventing or fighting any type of illness, major or minor. Sleep is when your body heals itself and repairs any damage. If you chronically have trouble sleeping, click here for some tips on how to get better sleep.
Proper hydration is also important for healing, especially if there is a fever and sweating. Dehydration is a common cause of sore throat, and sometimes just drinking enough water can be the solution.
If your sore throat persists more than 3 or 4 days, see your doctor to check for Strep; as I said, you don't want to mess with Strep.
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