How to Relieve an Itchy Throat Without Medicine

Co-authored by Andrea Rudominer, MD, MPH

Last Updated: October 9, 2021 References

There are several causes for itchy throat. Non-infectious causes include allergic rhinitis, postnasal drip, mouth breathing, smoking, gastroesophageal reflux (GERD) as well as exposure to allergens and pollution. You may also develop an itchy throat caused by viruses, bacteria or yeast. You should evaluate the cause of your itchy throat by making an appointment with your primary care provider. In the meantime, you can try to relieve an itchy throat without medication, especially if you do not have easy access to medicine. Consuming hot beverages, natural remedies, or a change in diet or lifestyle habits may relieve your itchy throat.

Method 1

Method 1 of 4:

Consuming Hot Beverages

1
Have hot water with lemon. You can sooth an itchy throat by drinking hot water with fresh lemon juice. You may also add honey and fresh ginger root to the hot water to make a soothing, hot beverage for your throat.^{[1]
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- Drink hot water with lemon every few hours to help soothe your throat. Squeeze half a lemon for every cup of hot water and add one teaspoon of honey and fresh ginger.
- For an added benefit, you may also add ½ teaspoon of turmeric to the hot water with lemon. Turmeric can help to clean out your throat and relieve any itchiness.
2
Drink ginger or licorice tea. You can also find relief for your throat by preparing ginger tea. You may use tea bags or fresh ginger root. Slice up the ginger root into small pieces and boil it for 10 – 15 minutes. Then, strain out the ginger pieces and consume the liquid to relieve your sore throat.^{[2]
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- Licorice root has also been known to soothe an irritated throat. You can use licorice tea bags or real licorice root. Slice an ounce of the licorice root into small pieces and let it steep in boiling water for 24 hours. Then, strain out the licorice pieces, add honey, and drink the liquid.
- Add honey to the tea for extra soothing power.^{[3]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Andrea Rudominer, MD, MPH
  Board Certified Pediatrician & Integrative Medicine Doctor
  Expert Interview. 6 May 2020.}
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3
Make a soothing herbal tea. You may try using herbs to make a tea or use herbs in tincture form. Always use high quality herbs from a trusted source. You may drink three to four cups of the tea made from the herbs or consume one to three drops of the herbs in tincture form, three to four times a day. There are specific natural herbs made for the treatment of itchy throat, including:
- Dong quai (Angelica sinensis)
- Eyebright (Euphrasia officinalis)
- Gingko (Gingko biloba)
- Milk thistle (Silybum marianum)
- Red clover (Trifolium pratense)
- Stinging nettles (Urtica dioica)
4
Have hot apple cider vinegar. Apple cider vinegar can help relieve a sore throat and coughing as a result of an itchy throat. Try to use organic apple cider vinegar, mixing a tablespoon of the vinegar in 8 – 10 ounces of water. You may warm up the water until it is hot and add honey to dilute the taste of the vinegar.^{[4]
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- If you are able to stomach the apple cider vinegar taste, you may add less water and drink the vinegar straight for a stronger mixture. Some people have trouble with the taste of apple cider vinegar, so adjust the strength based on your preference.

Method 2

Method 2 of 4:

Using Natural Remedies

1
Eat a spoon of raw honey. Raw honey on its own has been known to help relieve an itchy throat. Make sure you look for raw honey that has no additives or processed ingredients. You may be able to find raw honey at your local supermarket or your local health food store.^{[5]
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- Have a spoon of raw honey every few hours to relieve your itchy throat.
- You can also take 1–2 tsp (4.9–9.9 ml) of elderberry syrup a day to help soothe your throat and boost your immunity.^{[6]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Andrea Rudominer, MD, MPH
  Board Certified Pediatrician & Integrative Medicine Doctor
  Expert Interview. 6 May 2020.}
2
Gargle salt water. You can relieve your itchy throat by gargling warm salt water. You may create your own salt water solution by mixing ¼ to ½ of teaspoon of salt to 1 cup of warm water.^{[7]
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Trustworthy Source
Mayo Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
Go to source} Gargling every two to three hours should give you some relief to your scratchy throat. Do not use table salt, as it has added iodine and other additives.^{[8]
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- To gargle the saltwater solution, sip the solution and hold it in your mouth. Then, open your mouth and swish the saltwater solution around in your mouth. Push air from the back of your throat so the saltwater starts to vibrate and gargle around your mouth and throat.
- Try not to swallow any of the saltwater, as it can make you sick. Spit out the saltwater after you have gargled it for a few minutes.
3
Use nasal saline to clear your nasal passages of allergens. You can prepare your own nasal saline using either distilled or boiled (and then cooled) water. Add ½ of teaspoon of salt water and ½ teaspoon of baking soda to 8 ounces cup.^{[9]
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Research source} After you make a solution, put three to four drops into each of your nasal passages. If you don’t have a pipette, use a teaspoon to put the solution into each of your nostrils. A teaspoon contains about 5 drops. You could also do a saline rinse if you have a medical syringe, squeeze bottle, or Neti Pot.
4
Have natural throat lozenges. You can also try taking throat lozenges that are made of natural ingredients. You can find all-natural throat lozenges at your local drugstore or online. Most natural throat lozenges contain honey, ginger, or a combination of anti-inflammatory ingredients.^{[10]
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- Make sure you follow the instructions on the package of the lozenges and take the right dosage every day.

Method 3

Method 3 of 4:

Adjusting Your Habits

1
Drink lots of fluids. Try to stay hydrated, as dehydration can make your throat worse. Drink lots of water, at least eight to 10 8-oz glasses a day, as well as hot beverages, like herbal teas.^{[11]
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- You may also get fluids by drinking hot soup or other hot liquids as part of your meals. Doing this can help you stay hydrated.
2
Keep your tongue and mouth clean. You can also do a good brushing and cleaning of your mouth to remove any bacteria that may be causing your itchy throat. If your itchy throat is the result of an allergic reaction, such as a seasonal allergy, brushing your tongue can help to remove pollen that may be causing your itchy throat.^{[12]
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- You may also gargle with saltwater after each brushing to really clean out your mouth. Make sure you also stick to a consistent flossing routine to remove any bacteria or food debris in your mouth.
- If your work causes you to be exposed to irritants — such as cement dust while working construction, or particles in pulp mills — wear a dust mask to prevent inhalation of the particles.
3
Avoid airway irritants such as tobacco smoke or dry, cold air. Environmental factors like smoking, pollutants, and dry, cold air can cause inflammation that may irritate your throat.^{[13]
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Trustworthy Source
PubMed Central
Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health
Go to source} If you smoke, quitting can reduce throat irritation. If you have to go out in cold, dry air, wrap a scarf around your mouth. If the air in your home is dry, try investing in a humidifier.
- You may actually experience a temporary increase in itching after you quit smoking. This may be because nicotine can have a desensitizing effect. Ride this period out by gargling with saltwater and the itching will soon subside.^{[14]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  PubMed Central
  Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health
  Go to source}
4
Steam your face. You can also soothe your itchy throat with the help of added moisture and humidity. You may use a face steamer to help relieve your itchy throat or put a pot of water on the stove to boil and place your face into the steam. Another easy option is to take a long steam shower with the bathroom door closed and breathing deeply in the shower to soak up the humidity in the air.^{[15]
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- You may also set up a humidifier in your room. It may be easier to sleep at night with an itchy throat if the air is moist and humid in your bedroom.

Method 4

Method 4 of 4:

Changing Up Your Diet

1
Have green, leafy vegetables. Have more dark green, leafy vegetables like kale, spinach, collard greens, and Swiss chard in your diet to ensure you are getting enough nutrients. Opt for yellow and orange vegetables as well, as such carrots, peppers, and yams.
- Consume more cabbage, beets, nettles, and bamboo shoots. Having more vegetables in your diet will keep you healthy and help your body fight off the mucus in your throat.
- Eating a healthy, well-balanced diet with plenty of fruits, vegetables, and healthy fats like fish and olive oil can help boost your immune system.^{[16]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Andrea Rudominer, MD, MPH
  Board Certified Pediatrician & Integrative Medicine Doctor
  Expert Interview. 6 May 2020.}
2
Consume garlic and onions. Put more garlic and onions in your meals. You may add raw garlic and onions to salads or saute garlic and onions with your vegetables.
- You can also roast garlic in the oven and consume it whole.
- Both garlic and onions have vitamin C and antioxidants that should aid your immune system to fight whatever causes your itchy throat, whether it is an allergy or an infection.
3
Get your itchy throat diagnosed. Your itchy throat may be the result of an allergy to a certain food. If you are allergic to a specific food and one of your symptoms is an itchy throat, you should avoid eating this food.^{[17]
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- You can visit an allergist to confirm your allergy and test for other common food allergies, such as wheat, dairy, and shellfish.

Expert Q&A

Question

Are there any ways I can change my diet to avoid getting sick with a sore throat?

Andrea Rudominer, MD, MPH
Board Certified Pediatrician & Integrative Medicine Doctor
Dr. Andrea Rudominer is a board certified Pediatrician and Integrative Medicine Doctor based in the San Francisco Bay Area. Dr. Rudominer has over 15 years of medical care experience and specializes in preventive health care, obesity, adolescent care, ADHD, and culturally competent care. Dr. Rudominer received her MD from the University of California, Davis, and completed a residency at the Lucile Packard Children's Hospital at Stanford University. Dr. Rudominer also has an MPH in Maternal Child Health from the University of California, Berkeley. She is a Member of the American Board of Pediatrics, a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics, a Member and Delegate of the California Medical Association, and a Member of the Santa Clara County Medical Association.

Andrea Rudominer, MD, MPH

Board Certified Pediatrician & Integrative Medicine Doctor

Expert Answer

To boost your immune system, eat a healthy, well-balanced diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables, along with healthy fats like fish and olive oil. Vitamin D and zinc are also key factors in your immunity. If you don't eat dairy, you can take supplements to achieve an adequate intake of vitamin D. Taking 1-2 tsp of elderberry syrup per day is a great way to prevent viruses and colds, as well.