Post Nasal Drip Sore Throat Treatment (Home Remedies)

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Post nasal drip is usually caused by upper airway infections, like colds, allergies, and sinusitis. It can be a painful and annoying condition, but it usually goes away when it is addressed properly. In today’s article, I have outlined 10 natural home remedies for post nasal drip sore throat.

Contents

1 What is post nasal drip
2 What causes post nasal drip
3 Post nasal drip symptoms
4 Post Nasal Drip Sore Throat Treatment

What is post nasal drip

Post nasal drip is when mucus drips in the back of the throat causing irritation or discomfort. Usually post nasal drip is not painful and you won’t notice it. It mixes with saliva and harmlessly runs down your throat. It becomes annoying when your body produces excess mucus and you would constantly try to clear your throat.

What causes post nasal drip

Possible causes of post nasal drip are: common cold, flu, allergies, pregnancy, sinus infection, certain medications (blood pressure or birth control meds), certain foods, deviated septum, smoke, household cleaning products, and weather changes.

Post nasal drip symptoms

Symptoms of post nasal drip include: sore throat, cough, ear infection, bad breath, and upset stomach.

Post Nasal Drip Sore Throat Treatment

1. Stinging Nettle Leaf

Stinging nettle, or Urtica dioica, has a long track record as a medicinal plant. People of the past used it for treating anemia, gout, eczema, and arthritis. Scientists believe that it helps with a pain because of its anti-inflammatory effects and interference with pain signals.

Stinging nettle leaf is a popular herbal remedy for allergic rhinitis (hay fever). Some of the common symptoms of allergic rhinitis include a runny and congested nose, itchy eyes, cough (due to post nasal drip symptoms) and sneezing.

In one double-blind study, freeze-dried stinging nettle was compared to the effects of placebo when it comes to treating allergic rhinitis. At the end of one week, results showed the nettle group experienced lesser itching and sneezing due to allergic rhinitis (hay fever).

The researchers surmised that this effect of freeze-dried stinging nettle may be due to its ability to interfere with the body’s production of histamine in response to a specific substance that induces allergy. BUT, further studies are recommended to be done to confirm this anti-histamine effect of nettle.

Available Forms and Dosage:

Stinging nettle can be bought as a root tincture, tablet, capsule, extract, tea, juice, and freeze-dried leaf. Compared to its root, however, its leaf (in capsule form) is preferable for treating allergy-induced conditions.
So far, there’s no standard dose of stinging nettle that’s proven to be safe and effective for children.

Adverse Effects:

Generally, stinging nettle doesn’t cause serious side effects when taken as directed. Some of the minor adverse effects you can expect are digestive problems, rash (from topical preparations), and retention of body fluids.
Diabetics should use this with precaution because it can raise or lower blood sugar levels.
Pregnant women are discouraged from using stinging nettle because it may cause miscarriage.

2. Butterbur

Butterbur (Petasites hybridus) is a kind of shrub that’s native to North America, Europe, and in some parts of Asia. It’s called butterbur because its leaves were used to wrap up butter during the warm weathers in the past. It was traditionally used to treat a variety of ailments, like bronchitis, asthma, headache, cough, urinary tract problems, and fever.

How does it work? It’s believed to contain certain chemicals that might help reduce swelling (due to inflammation) and spasms.

Today, the extracts of butterbur leaves are used to relieve nose discomfort due to hay fever (allergic rhinitis). Scientific studies seem to backup this benefit. In one study, scientists found out that a certain butterbur extract (ZE 339 – Zeller AG) could be as effective as cetirizine (10 mg), an anti-histamine drug for allergies and hay fever.

Participants were given either one tablet of ZE 339 four times a day or one tablet of cetirizine every night. Both treatments were given for fourteen consecutive days.

Researchers suggest that butterbur is a considerable treatment option if you want to avoid the sedative effects of conventional anti-histamine drugs.

Available Forms and Dosage:

Butterbur’s roots, underground stems (rhizomes), and leaves are often marketed in a tablet, extract, and topical forms.
According to WebMD, you can take one tablet of ZE 339 for allergic rhinitis three to four times a day. Alternatively, you could also take Petaforce butterbur root extract, 50 mg, two times a day.
On the other hand, The University of Maryland Medical Center recommends taking 500 mg of butterbur daily.

Adverse Effects:

Mild adverse effects of butterbur are sleepiness, headache, itchy eyes, fatigue, asthma, and upset stomach.
If you have a known allergy to chrysanthemums, daisies, ragweed, and marigolds, you may be also allergic to butterbur.
Make sure to buy butterbur products that are labeled and certified free from pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs). Pyrrolizidine alkaloids can cause a liver damage.
Pregnant women and children should take this under the supervision of a healthcare provider.

3. Eucalyptus for Sore Throat

Eucalyptus is one of the most common sore throat remedies. In folk medicine, eucalyptus leaf and oil are used for treating respiratory tract infections, like cold, whooping cough, tuberculosis, flu, and asthma. Most over-the-counter meds for coughs and common cold contain eucalyptus. Herbalists usually recommend using a fresh eucalyptus leaves as a gargle for sore throats and bronchitis.

Eucalyptus is effective for these health issues because they contain chemicals that are considered anti-fungal, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory. Other studies also suggest that it helps lessen the viscosity of phlegm in the airway passages. However, there aren’t really enough scientific evidences to backup these activities of eucalyptus.

Based on a study, three species of eucalyptus contain pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory activities. These are Eucalyptus tereticornis, Eucalyptus citriodora, and Eucalyptus globulus. This ability of eucalyptus oil to cure many ailments could be attributed to its active ingredient called cineole.

Available Forms and Dosage:

Eucalyptus is used as an ingredient in mouthwashes, teas, cough syrups, ointments, and lozenges to alleviate congestion, sore throats, and loosen phlegm.
As of now, there’s no standard dosage established for eucalyptus. Since it’s dangerous to take it undiluted by mouth, steam inhalation of eucalyptus oil is a good option for alleviating stuffy nose. The University of Maryland Medical Center recommends using up to 10 drops of eucalyptus oil in approximately 472 ml (2 cups) of boiled water for steam inhalation.

Adverse Effects:

Do not take eucalyptus oil without diluting it first. Taking more than 3 ml of undiluted eucalyptus oil orally can be life-threatening.
A derivative of eucalyptus oil called eucalyptol appears to be safe when taken by mouth for 3 months max.

4. Terminalia Species

You may not have heard of it, but terminalia (arjuna) has already been used as a heart ailment cure in India for thousands of years. There are three specific species of terminalia that are commonly used for medicine: Terminalia bellerica, Terminalia arjuna, and Terminalia chebula. Although they come from one family, not all three species contain the same curative properties.

Terminalia bellerica, also called bibhitaki in India, is mostly used for treating a fever, inflammation, and respiratory infections, such as cough and sore throat. Along with other Indian medicinal plants, a study showed that Terminalia bellerica and Terminalia chebula are effective against drug-resistant test bacteria.

This antibacterial activity of terminalia species may be possibly due to the phytochemicals they posses. Some of these phytochemicals are flavonoids, tannins, and phenols.

Available Forms and Dosage:

Terminalia is marketed in different forms. Since there are no clinically defined dosages for terminalia, it’s best to follow the directions of the product you’re using.
However, some clinical studies used 500 mg of Terminalia arjuna three times a day for 12 weeks to treat coronary heart disease.

Adverse Effects:

Terminalia arjuna is potentially safe when taken by mouth for 12 weeks or less.
Pregnant women should avoid taking this herb.
Diabetics should be careful when taking terminalia because it can decrease blood sugar levels.
There aren’t really enough studies done to establish the safeness or possible side effects of Terminalia chebula and Terminalia bellerica.

5. Tamarind

Just like other ancient foods, tamarind (Tamarindus indica) is also used to treat a variety of ailments. Its leaves, bark, flowers, and fruits are used for stomach discomforts, fevers, swollen joints, constipation, inflammatory conditions, hemorrhoids, sprain, and boils.

Tamarind contains high levels of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. Examples of these are iron, vitamin B, vitamin C, essential amino acids, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, citric acid (antioxidant), water, carbohydrates, fat, and tannin. So by consuming tamarind, you’re not only curing your sore throat and other post nasal drip symptoms, but you’re also improving your overall health.

How does tamarind help relieve post nasal drip sore throat?

A clinical trial on rats revealed that the methanol extract of tamarind seeds was able to significantly reduce inflammation and pain in rats with paw edema. Researchers suggested that these activities of tamarind seeds are due to the presence of tannins and flavonoids. The same result was derived from an animal study using tamarind leaves.

Tamarind is also used in traditional medicine to treat infections because of its antibacterial activity. Its pulp extract is said to be effective against different strains of bacteria, like Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella typhi, and Escherichia coli.

Available Forms and Dosage:

For sore throat, you can use tamarind water. This is prepared by simply boiling tamarind in water. But the powdered form of tamarind leaves and bark are also equally beneficial for this purpose.
Cook the bark together with table salt in a clay container. Do this until the bark turns into a powdered white ash. Then mix about a teaspoon of this powder with boiled water (approximately 1/2 cup). Let it cool and drink it.

Adverse Effects:

Don’t get too carried away and eat too much of this. You should take note that it contains fructose, which is a crystalline sugar that’s sweeter than the glucose found in most plants and fruits.

6. Sage

Sage is probably one of the most popular medicinal herbs out there because of its distinct effects for a wide variety of ailments. In fact, the Internal Herb Association has given sage the title of “Herb of the Year” back in 2001. Some of the beneficial chemicals found in sage are flavonoids, rosmarinic acid, flavonoids, and volatile oils.

Lowering blood sugar level, preventing perspiration, and easing inflammation are just a few of the activities of sage. A few laboratory studies also suggested that the essential oil from sage may be helpful in fighting against different pathogenic microorganisms, such as Candida, because of its active compound called thujone.

The effectiveness of sage for treating sore throat lacks sufficient scientific evidences. However, a study showed that a combination of echinacea and sage greatly helps with alleviating sore throat symptoms, like pain, in just a few days.

Available Forms and Dosage:

To make a sage tea: Boil 1 cup (around 236 ml) of water and ¼ cup of fresh sage leaves. Allow it to steep for five minutes, cool, strain, and then drink it. You can add honey, apple cider vinegar, and/or lemon juice.

Adverse Effects:

Sage is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to be used as a flavoring or spice.
You should remember that using more than twelve drops of its essential oil could cause toxicity. Some of the side effects of using sage oil or leaf are increased heart beat, trembling, vomiting, agitation, vertigo, seizure, wheezing, and damaged kidney.

7. Clove

When you suffer from a sore throat or other respiratory infections, phlegm usually builds up in the throat. It’s not really a bad thing because it’s our body’s way to defend itself. But it can cause a great discomfort and irritation. There are different conventional and traditional remedies to remove a hard phlegm, like clove (Syzygium aromaticum).

As early as 600 A.D., clove has already been part of folk medicine in various cultures all over the world, especially in South America and Asia. The flower buds, fruits, and leaves of clove are extracted of their oils. They are used in herbal remedies and dental practice to ease the pain of anesthesia injection.

When taken by mouth, clove preparations are used to treat digestion problems, migraine or headache, allergies, intestinal parasites, vomiting, common colds, nausea, and for trigger uterine contraction.

Clove is also a natural numbing agent. Researchers even surmised that clove gel is a potential replacement for benzocaine, a topical anesthesia. This study used four test treatments: 20% benzocaine gel, homemade clove gel, and two types of placebos that resemble either clove or benzocaine.

Just five minutes after application of these topical treatments, adult volunteers received two needle stabs. Results showed that volunteers who received benzocaine and clove gel had significantly lower pain scores compared to those who received placebos.

Available Forms and Dosage:

Clove is made available in a powder, oil (diluted or pure), and capsule forms.
To ease throat irritation and facilitate phlegm expectoration, chew a piece of clove together with a few granules of table salt.

Adverse Effects:

There are some concerns that a clove oil may cause bleeding in people undergoing surgery or with bleeding disorders. It contains a chemical called eugenol, which could interfere with blood clotting.
Children shouldn’t be given a clove oil orally to avoid serious health issues.
Overall, clove seems to be safe when taken in moderation by mouth.

8. Echinacea

Echinacea is a highly studied plant. Most studies focus on its effectiveness against upper respiratory infections, like the common cold and flu.

Although, the results of each study are often contradicting.

In a large study involving 700 participants with colds, researchers concluded that echinacea pills were not better than placebo when it comes to easing cold symptoms, like sore throat and runny nose, and speeding up healing time.

But in another study published in The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 95 people who developed early flu and cold symptoms felt better sooner after drinking a couple cups of echinacea tea daily for 5 days.

Whether or not it works in preventing colds or promotes faster recovery time, echinacea herb is still widely used today for that purpose. Experts believe that echinacea is still a relevant herbal remedy for fighting or preventing colds because of its effect on the immune system.

A study showed that supplementation of echinacea may possibly boost the function of the immune system. In fact, participants of the study had a 58% lowered risk of developing colds plus a faster recovery time by more than a day.

Available Forms and Dosage:

Depending on the preparation and brand, doses for echinacea are varied. WebMD has the following recommendations for taking echinacea for upper respiratory infections:

Echinacea purpurea juice – take 6 to 9 ml for 2 months maximum
Freeze-dried capsule – 100 mg thrice per day
Echinacea angustifolia root exact in tablet form (100 mg) – take 2 tablets per day for a period of 15 days, and then lowered to 1 tablet every day for another 15 days. Finally take 1 tablet every other day for a period of 60 days.

Adverse Effects:

Echinacea should not be taken with a compromised immune system, such as people who have diabetes, leukemia, cancer, tuberculosis, and autoimmune diseases.
Whether you’re lactating or still pregnant, you shouldn’t take any echinacea preparations.
People with asthma or known allergies may be at greater risk of developing allergic or anaphylactic (a life-threatening form of allergic reaction) reactions to echinacea.

9. Fenugreek

The use of fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) was first recorded back in 1500 B.C. During the ancient times, fenugreek was used for cooking, inducing childbirth, digestive ailments, and menopausal symptoms. Now, it’s used in alternative medicine for people suffering from poor appetite, diabetes, and skin inflammation. It’s also used by breastfeeding women to stimulate milk production.

Scientific studies that confirm the medicinal effects of fenugreek are currently lacking. But a few medical literatures suggest that fenugreek contains chemical properties that treat or soothe fever, intestinal parasites, irritated body tissues, vomiting, edema, chronic cough, enlarged spleen and liver, bronchitis, heart ailments, and burns.

Extract of fenugreek leaves is said to have a similar mechanism to NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs). It also contains mucilage, which creates a gel-like mass when exposed to water. Mucilage is especially helpful for irritated body tissues, like in the case of a sore throat caused by a post nasal drip. It releases soothing and protective effects.

Available Forms and Dosage:

At this time, there are no medical or scientific information regarding the appropriate dosage range for fenugreek.
For sore throat, you could make a fenugreek gargle solution. Just add two tablespoons of fenugreek seeds to 4 cups of water. Boil this mixture over a low flame for 30 minutes. Let it cool, strain it, and then gargle the solution.

Adverse Effects:

Some adverse effects of fenugreek are diarrhea, early childbirth, bloating, and unusual body in newborns (if taken by the mother before giving birth).
People who are diabetic should take fenugreek with caution because it’s believed to lower a blood sugar levels.
Fenugreek may also interact with medicines that slow blood clotting, such as aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, warfarin, and diclofenac.

10. Chamomile

Most of us know chamomile as a tea that promotes good sleep and eases digestive problems (e.g. nausea and upset stomach). Other people use chamomile to alleviate mouth sores caused by chemo drugs.

How does it help with a sore throat from post nasal drip?

Scientific evidences show that it contains properties that ease a sore throat and other common cold symptoms. In one particular study that used German chamomile, researchers concluded that the possible reason why chamomile is a good cold remedy is because of its ability to boost the immune system. It works by increasing the number of a phenolic compound called hippurate.

Available Forms and Dosage:

Like most medicinal herbs, chamomile has no established dosage range. However, most scientific studies used 400-1,600 milligrams of chamomile capsule per day.
You can take a chamomile tea once or up to four times a day.

Adverse Effects:

Experts say that chamomile is generally safe. But of course, too much of it is bound to cause you problems, like vomiting. Chamomile may also trigger allergic reactions, especially among individuals who are allergic to daisies, celery, ragweed, and marigolds.
Chamomile can also moderately thin blood because it contains a small quantity of coumarin.

Check out our other article on how to relieve post nasal drip cough and chest congestion.

I suggest to try one or many of these above mentioned home remedies as a guide for treating your condition. I hope they’ll help.

References:

https://www.thieme-connect.com/products/ejournals/abstract/10.1055/s-2006-960881

http://www.bmj.com/content/324/7330/144

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0378874103003131

http://respiratory-research.com/content/10/1/69

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0378874100003354?np=y

http://www.ijppsjournal.com/Vol5Issue4/7802.pdf

http://www.scialert.net/qredirect.php?doi=ajb.2008.134.138&linkid=pdf

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23008815

http://www.scialert.net/qredirect.php?doi=ajb.2008.134.138&linkid=pdf