Having a sore throat can make having a normal day difficult. After all, what’s so normal about not being able to fully enjoy your favorite foods and beverages?

Whether bacterial or viral in nature, it’s a good thing that a sore throat usually stops bugging you in about 5 to 7 days only — much shorter if it’s caused by bacteria and your doctor has given you a course of antibiotics, which you should still take for the prescribed number of days even though you already feel better.

As you wait for a sore throat to go away, there are different types of gargles that you may count on to attain relief. See which of the following can deliver so well:

Ginger

Allow a teaspoon of grated fresh ginger root to steep in a cup of hot water for about 10 minutes. Afterwards, you may start gargling with it, although make sure that the resulting brew is lukewarm and not scorching! It’s also a good idea for you to regularly drink ginger tea that’s sweetened with honey for much-needed relief.

Cayenne

In a cup of lukewarm water, add 1/4 teaspoon of cayenne powder. Stir very well and gargle with it. Each time, you may swallow just a little of this mixture — you will surely feel a mild burning sensation but that’s perfectly okay because it’s a sign that cayenne powder is just doing its job.

Turmeric

Cannot stand the heat that cayenne pepper packs? Worry not because you may simply count on turmeric powder. All you need to do is dissolve 1/2 teaspoon of it in a cup of lukewarm water. Afterwards, go ahead and start using the mixture as a gargle. Quickly rinse your mouth with water afterwards as turmeric may temporarily stain your teeth.

Garlic

Because of its antibacterial and antiviral properties, garlic can help deal with a sore throat no matter the root cause. What you need to do is peel and mince a garlic clove, and let steep in a cup of hot water. Once already lukewarm, strain and gargle with it. You may also add about 5 drops of garlic oil to a cup of lukewarm water.

Peppermint

Gargling with peppermint tea not only helps ease a sore throat, but also bad breath that usually comes with it. Simply allow a peppermint tea bag to steep in a cup of hot water. Gargle with the resulting tea once already lukewarm. Got some peppermint plant in your garden? You may brew a few crushed leaves instead of a peppermint tea bag.

Sage

You may place a teaspoon of dried or fresh sage leaves in a cup of hot water and let steep for several minutes or until the water is already lukewarm. Strain and start gargling with it. Some people swear that this gargle out of sage leaves works so much better if a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar is added to it, too.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Speaking of apple cider vinegar, you may also rely on this sour liquid if your sore throat is giving you a difficult time. In a cup of lukewarm water, stir in a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar — organic and unfiltered is best. Cannot stand the taste? Feel free to sweeten it with a little honey.

Salt

Last but not least, you may simply gargle with salt water, which is probably the most popular home remedy for a sore throat on the face of the planet. What you need to do is dissolve a teaspoon of salt in a cup of lukewarm water and then gargle away. By the way, try not to swallow any of the salty solution.

You may gargle any of the above 3 to 5 times a day for relief from a sore throat. Don’t feel shy to share in the comments section below your experience with your choice!