Herbs to consider for a throat spray

Be sure to research each herb before use to ensure that it’s not contraindicated for your personal health situation. A persistent or severe sore throat can be a symptom of serious illness and may need evaluation and/or treatment by a health care professional.

Tinctures (herbal extracts) can be found in your local health store, online, or you can make your own, using the herb(s) of your choice.

 Echinacea – is another one good to help with throat pain. It also helps boost your immune system. Check your local health store.

Rose petals – are cooling and astringent. Make your own tincture easily by covering fresh or high quality dried rose petals with vodka for three to four weeks.

Marshmallow Root – excellent at coating and soothing inflamed throats

Sage – specific for sore throats, anti-bacterial effect

Thyme – good for bronchitis and upper respiratory infections.

Elderberry – The classic antiviral, very effective against influenza. Check your local health store.

Lemon Balm – is antiviral, calming, soothes nervous stomach and powerful against cold sores. It’s easy to make your own if you grow lemon balm in your garden.

Ginger – is antibacterial, helps upset stomach, nausea and chills. It’s super easy to make a tincture using ginger root bought from your grocery store.

Note There are many more options to mix and match.

In the following recipe I use honey, but you can substitute vegetable glycerine if you’d like to make a vegan product. Also, remember that honey should not be given to children under a year old. The recipe revolves around using tinctures, but if you prefer to avoid alcohol completely, you can substitute a strong herbal tea instead.

DIY Herbal Throat Spray

·      2 tablespoons total of herbal tincture(s) or tea – see list below (I use Echinacea, Marshmallow and Sage

·       2 tablespoon raw, local honey (or vegetable glycerine)

·       1 tablespoon warm water

·       1-3 drops peppermint essential oil

1. Mix all of the ingredients together and pour into a 100ml glass spray bottle.

2. Spray into your mouth, directed towards your throat, as needed. When made with tinctures, this throat spray will last for months, stored in your refrigerator.

3. If you don’t want to use alcohol based tinctures, you can make this recipe with a strong herbal tea instead. Just be sure to keep the resulting spray in your refrigerator and be aware that the shelf life will be reduced to a mere number of days.

To  make a strong herbal tea: put 1 or 2 tablespoons of dried herbs, or twice as much fresh, in a heat proof jar/pot and pour a cup of  hot water, just off the boil over them. Let this steep for at least an hour, or more. The longer it steeps, the stronger the tea will be. Strain and use in the recipe above. Extra tea can be frozen in ice cube trays for later use.