Aspirin is the best remedy for a sore throat, scientists say

  • Tablets dissolved and gargled reduce sore throat pain

By Roger Dobson

PUBLISHED: 17:15 EST, 14 December 2013 | UPDATED: 17:15 EST, 14 December 2013


Aspirin is one of the most effective remedies for a sore throat, says research.

A couple of tablets, dissolved in water then gargled – not swallowed – reduced sore throat pain intensity within two hours in a study by the University of Cardiff Common Cold Centre. The effect lasted for more than six hours.

Inhaling products containing menthol was also useful.

The best help: Aspirin is the remedy to go for when you have a sore throat, according to researchers

The best help: Aspirin is the remedy to go for when you have a sore throat, according to researchers

‘It provides relief from nasal congestion by causing a cool sensation in the nose and also relieves the symptoms of sore throat and cough by a local anaesthetic action,’ said Professor Ron Eccles, who led the study.

Some types of honey can fight throat infections as it naturally contains hydrogen peroxide which has antibacterial properties, according to experts at Waikato University, New Zealand.

 

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Honey given to children at bedtime did a better job of suppressing night-time coughs than dextromethorphan found in many over-the-counter cough syrups, said research by the University of Maryland.

One other rather more unusual remedy found to be effective was acupuncture in the ear. ‘It’s may be a placebo effect but it still works,’ said Prof Eccles.

Make it go away: The tablets should be dissolved in water then gargled ¿ not swallowed ¿ and reduced sore throat pain intensity within two hours

Make it go away: The tablets should be dissolved in water then gargled - not swallowed - and reduced sore throat pain intensity within two hours

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Salt water is better.

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Can hydrogen peroxide be gargled? I know you can brush your teeth with it and it tastes terrible. But I'd give it a go if it would effect a cure. Does anyone know if this is dangerous.

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I think you will find you need more than aspirin if you have white suppurating tonsils. An antibiotic springs to mind.

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A salt water gargle is just as effective

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Aspirin is one of the best things out there. Helps with a lot of things and has been tested over many many years.

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Drink warmed up orange juice for a sore throat, too.

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Yes salt water warm gargles, as many times as necessary are my " go to " natural therapy for sore throats. I also suck some type honey & lemon thing & if staying in just love vicci vapour rub !! Get by without asprin & other such like portions.

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I find it humorously ironic that these articles about simple remedies, like Aspirin, are hitting the news everyday since the Ocare debacle. With millions having their coverage dropped, so far, and the site not working, yet, and all the hospitals not on the plan, ever, and all the doctors quitting, for good until forced to treat people at a loss, let alone all the revelations that are to come about this terrible "law", lol, this is all the healthcare most people will have access to.

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Yes, soon we will have books on how to do your own open heart surgery bc under o care you won't be able to find a doctor in USA who will take that oinsurance

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What can't it do???!!!

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Warm salt water works for me.

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