Dull, scratchy pain  usually comes unannounced. This uninvited guest might be  caused by many factors: drinking too hot or too cold drinks, breathing through the mouth while sleeping (especially in winter when the air is dry from heating), inhaling smoke or polluted air (smog), hay fever, sinus infection and nasal discharge, scream but also  various viral and bacterial infections.  The most common causes of sore throats are viral and bacterial infections.  Viruses tire  our throat usually takes three to four days and they disappear without medication, and antibiotics do not speed up the healing process - the antibiotic works against the bacterium virus  belongs  sweat out  and  lie down  In  bed.  It's worth it  then  sip  Herbs,  which  will soften  ailments. Herbs also strengthen the immune system and protect the body against viral infections.

remember 

Herbs can be just as dangerous as medications, so if you have a chronic disease or are taking it  medications, be sure to check with your doctor if you can use herbs.

Women  In  pregnancy  and  nursing  breastfeeding  always  they should  consult  Herbs  with  doctor before using them.

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Echinacea (Echinacea purpurea, E. angustifolia, E. pallida)

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Action:

• Has an anti-inflammatory effect; 

• supports the system  immunological;

• desensitizes the swelling of the throat tissue;

• destroys viruses that most often contribute to upper respiratory tract infections;

• has a mild antibacterial effect, but not as strong as an antibiotic;

Echinacea cannot be taken for a long period of time because it weakens the body's immunity.

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attention

It is recommended to use Echinacea  no longer than 10 days, followed by a 10-day break. After this time, you can start again  take the preparation. The strongest healing form of Echinacea is tincture  from the root and fresh sap from the above-ground part of the plant.  

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Dosage:

Please adhere to  manufacturer's recommendations. Usually  the daily dose of Echinacea is:  

• a maximum of 9 capsules of 300-400 mg or

• 60 drops of tincture every 2-3 hours during the day for the first 2 days of the disease, then reduce the dose to 60 drops of tincture three times a day.

Treatment is discontinued as soon as symptoms disappear or after 10 days of use.

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Licorice smooth (Glycyrrhiza glabra)  

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Do you remember those black candies with a specific taste? Most of the children did not like them and chose all the black sweets from the packet, and then threw them away or gave them to the few admirers of this taste. This is licorice. 

Licorice tea does  a specific sweet taste, as the main ingredient of the root - glycyrrhizin - is 50 times sweeter than sugar . For this reason  not everyone will like it, but it is worth using.

Licorice should be used in conjunction with other herbs rather than alone. The more that the herb  it is highly synergistic  (enhances its action in combination with other herbs).  

Licorice root smooth, action:

• reduces inflammation and  soothes throat irritations;

• stimulates the immune system and increases the amount of antiviral interferon produced by the body.  

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Dosage:  

• daily  a maximum of 3 cups of decoction (1/2 teaspoon of chopped licorice root pour a glass of water and simmer for 10-15 minutes) or

• a maximum of 6 capsules daily  400-500 mg each  or

• 20-30 drops of tincture three times a day.  

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Attention! 

Licorice cannot be taken  more than six weeks.

People suffering from hypertension,  for diabetes, diseases of the thyroid gland, kidneys, liver or heart should not use licorice without the permission of a doctor.  

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Shiitake mushroom (Lentinus edodes)

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This Japanese mushroom stands out  contains a substance called lentinan , which strengthens the immune system and has anti-cancer properties.

Shiitake mushroom can be added to dishes or taken in extract  characters  capsules  5 capsules a day for 400 mg.

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Marshmallow  Medicinal (Althaea officinalis)

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Action:

• Marshmallow root has a soothing effect on loose and infected mucosa. For this reason, it is very often found in the composition of drugs  soothing a sore throat;

• it also gently stimulates the immune system.

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Dosage : ​ 

• a maximum of 6 capsules of 400-500 mg per day  or

• up to five times a day, 20-40 drops of tincture or

• 3 cups of decoction daily (1 teaspoon of dried root pour a glass of water and simmer for 10 minutes).

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Red mullein (Verbascum thapsus)

Action:

• Mullein soothes and helps fight viruses that cause flu. 

• Mullein tea is effective in fighting hoarseness,  soothes  persistent cough  and facilitates expectoration. 

• A decoction of dried mullein flowers  It is also suitable for external use, as a rinse to soothe inflammation of the mouth and throat and as an infusion soothing irritating hoarseness and angina.

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Dosage:

• a maximum of 6 glasses of infusion a day (2 teaspoons of dried leaves and flowers pour a glass of hot water and infuse for 10-15 minutes) or

• every 3 hours 25-40 drops of tincture.

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Plantain lanceolata (Plantago lanceolata)

plantain (P. major)

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This inconspicuous plant covers our meadows, lawns and  gardens. It is amazing and can be used for many problems, including throat infections.

Action:

• has a soothing effect;

• anti-inflammatory;

• antibacterial.

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Dosage:

• daily  up to 4 cups of infusion (2 teaspoons of dried flowers pour a glass of hot water and infuse for 10-15 minutes)

• or 3-6 g in capsules.

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Eucalyptus globulus (Eucalyptus globulus)

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Yes, the same one whose aroma  it is often added to  candy  giving you fresh, frosty breath.

Action:

• heals and soothes a sore throat;

• aromatic oils have an antiseptic and cooling effect;

• tannins have astringent properties and bring relief to loose tissues  throat.

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Dosage:

• daily  a maximum of three glasses of infusion (pour 1 teaspoon of crushed leaves with a glass of hot water  and let it brew for 10 minutes).

attention

Eucalyptus must not be used  internally in the case of:

• severe liver diseases;

• inflammation of the digestive system and biliary tract.

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Garlic (Allium sativum) and onion (Allium cepa)

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Highly aromatic and very healthy.

Action:

• both plants have antiviral and antibacterial properties.

• Garlic also destroys streptococcus bacteria.

You can eat it to kill the unpleasant smell  garlic or  onions  eat a teaspoon of fresh parsley by chewing it thoroughly.

Dosage :

• daily  1 - 2 fresh garlic cloves as a seasoning;

• daily  a maximum of 3 capsules of 500-600 mg.

Onions should be included in your daily diet.

You can also make a lemony  garlic .

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Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis)

Action:

• has an antibacterial effect;

• antiviral;

• it also fights streptococcus bacteria.

Dosage:

It can be used as an infusion to drink or a rinse.

• 3-4 cups of infusion daily (1 teaspoon of dried leaves pour a glass of hot water and infuse for 10 minutes) use the prepared infusion for drinking, but  also for gargling.  

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Medicinal sage ( Salvia officinalis)

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Sage  may be a support in the fight against colds or infections, especially of the upper respiratory tract. In such cases, it is especially beneficial  sage infusion  - has expectorant and astringent properties, helps to expel choking secretions from the bronchi and fight fever.   

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Action:

• antibacterial;

• antifungal;

• anti-inflammatory;

• supports the regeneration of the throat mucosa;

• removes hoarseness and unpleasant smell from the mouth occurring with fungal and bacterial throat infections;

• moisturizes the throat mucosa, removing the feeling of "dryness".

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Dosage:

• mix  1  teaspoon  sage with 1 tsp  calendula or chamomile baskets. Pour the mixture into 1 cup of boiling water and cover. Steep for about 20-25 minutes. Rinse your throat and mouth with a warm infusion 4-5 times a day.    

In Norway, chilled children returning home are given milk with sage to prevent throat infections and colds.

• 1 tsp  crushed sage leaves  pour a glass of boiling  milk  and leave, covered, for 15-20 minutes. To warm (no more than 40 degrees C, otherwise the honey will lose its effect  health properties and will become  ordinary sweetener) of the drug, add 1 teaspoon of honey and mix well. A child (over 3 years old) should drink warm milk with sage in small sips 1/2 cup 2-3 times a day. Children over 5 years of age can drink 1 glass of this drug 2-3 times a day.  

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Common Thyme (Thymus vulgaris)

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This aromatic spice is also a proven treatment for most infections of the upper and lower respiratory tract.

Action:  

• bactericidal;

• removes unpleasant residual smell  secretions in the throat (a common consequence of a severe infection of the palatine tonsils;

• helps soothe hoarseness; 

• eliminates the unpleasant feeling of "scratching in the throat"  caused by infection of the mucous membranes;

• removes inflammation of the bronchi, throat, palatine tonsils and sinuses (which occur in older children - usually over 5-6 years of age);

• it has a distancing effect;

• disinfecting;

• anti-inflammatory;

• soothes dry, tiring cough;

• it clears the respiratory tract, relieves runny nose and sinusitis.

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Dosage:

• Rinse : pour 1 teaspoon of leaves with a glass of hot water and let it brew for 10 minutes. You can gargle with such a warm product, or

• Inhalation : Pour 10 drops of natural thyme oil into a glass / bowl  well hot  water. Lean over the bowl, covering your head with a towel and inhale  a couple  with thyme oil. Be very careful not to lean too close to the cup as hot steam can burn you just like the water in the cup. For this reason, it is better not to use this method on children.

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Sources:

1.  Linda B. White, Steven Foster, Herbal Home Pharmacy. An alternative to drugs,  Publicat Publishing House, Poznań 2018. 

2.  Stephen H. Buhner, Herbal Antibiotics. A natural alternative to the treatment of drug-resistant infections, Wydawnictwo Biały Wiatr, Rzeszów 2019. 

3. Zbigniew T. Nowak,  Herbs for children's health. AA publishing house, Krakow 2016.

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