Sore Throat
In my experience as a practitioner, a sore throat can be caused by one of two factors. It can be of viral/bacterial origin or it can be from post-nasal irritation.
When caused by a virus or bacteria, the throat is painful, sometimes red and it can be difficult to swallow. It is often accompanied by fever and/or chills and body aches. It tends to be one of the first symptoms associated with a cold or flu. It usually lasts for a few days and then morphs into something else such as a cough or sinusitis.
The other common type of sore throat is generally characterized as scratchy, itchy or irritated. This type is usually caused by post nasal drip. It can last for quite a while. Fever does not necessarily come with this type. It may be caused by allergies, sinus irritation or a common cold. It is generally not caused by a virus or bacteria.
In our herbal line, the best remedy for a cold or flu accompanied by a sore throat of viral or bacterial origin is Throat Zap. It is based on the Chinese herbal remedy Yin Qiao, which has been used for hundreds of years to treat sore throats, fever, headache and cough. Throat Zap is most effective when used early and often at the onset of symptoms. For greatest efficacy, one can drip the herbs down the back of the throat, thereby getting them exactly where needed.
A sore throat caused by post nasal drip is usually less severe but often more difficult to find the exact cause. It can be caused by allergens, either pollen or food (too much dairy or sweets is a common cause). It can also be caused by a sinus infection or a low grade cold.
If caused by seasonal allergies or hay fever, it is often by accompanied by sneezing, a runny nose or itchy, watery eyes. In this case, Dr. Dave's Allergies Away is the remedy of choice.
If caused by a cold or sinus condition with post nasal drip, runny nose, any sort of sinus pressure or congestion without sneezing, itching or eye symptoms common to hay fever, then Super Sinus is the remedy of choice.
By figuring out what type of sore throat you have, it is easier to choose the most appropriate and effective remedy.
