Natural Remedies for Strep Throat

Here’s the scenario – you visit the doctor with all the signs and symptoms: the low grade fever, the raw throat making it hard to swallow; the throat is very red, maybe with some white patches. The doctor assures you the strep culture results will come in within a day or two but in the meantime wants you to start on antibiotics, just to be on the safe side. Sound familiar?

What are the options for those who prefer natural remedies? Are there any natural remedies for strep throat?

Well I have good news – there IS!

In the United States, it is common for medical doctors to prescribe antibiotic medications for a diagnosis of strep throat, many times even before the results have been positively determined. These medications generally have to be taken for a period of 10 days. The patient will typically start feeling better within 4-5 days; best case scenario, 2-3 days.

The problem with antibiotics is they not only kill the bad bacteria that is causing us to become ill, they also kill almost all the helpful bacteria within our intestinal tract. This can lead other problems down the road.

The over use of antibiotic medications has also led to the mutation of many bacteria into what the medical field calls “superbugs.” This term is used to describe bacteria that are no longer responsive to the antibiotics that are typically used to treat it. MRSA, or Staphylococcus aureus, and in recent years, some strains of E-coli, are examples of superbugs.

Garlic – Nature’s Antibiotic

What if I could show you a natural remedy for strep throat that is so easy to prepare it can be done in less than 10 minutes? One that would take effect in 24 hours or fewer instead of the typical 10-day antibiotic run?

It really is true! I have used this treatment on myself and several of my children and never has it failed to work within 24 hours! In my house, we have used this homemade remedy for both positive strep throat infections and severe sore throats alike, with 100% success.

I cannot take credit for creating this formula, but I am honored to be able to pass it along to all of you. For any of you that know me, I am a student of the School of Natural Healing studying to earn Master Herbalist certification. The school’s director, David Christopher, MH, is credited with creating this amazing remedy.

David Christopher’s Strep Throat Treatment

There are only three simple ingredients needed for this natural remedy. Most people more than likely already have them all in their kitchen as they are common, everyday ingredients we all use for cooking on a regular basis.

The three ingredients you will need are:

  • Fresh Garlic – 3 cloves
  • Cayenne Pepper – 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon
  • Raw Unfiltered Honey – 1 tablespoon

Preparation

The above ingredients are to be used in those proportions when preparing this remedy. When I prepare this mixture for my family, I typically triple the recipe for the formula so I do not need to be mixing up a new batch every few hours. Leaving the finished preparation to set on the counter, with plastic wrap over the top, it will not spoil in the 24 to 48 hours you will need it for.

First, put the raw unfiltered raw honey into a glass dish and add the 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (a half-dropperful, or 15 drops, of cayenne tincture may be used in place of fresh ground cayenne pepper), the amount will depend on the patient’s sensitivity to the heat of the cayenne.

Next, finely chop the fresh garlic cloves. Garlic is nature’s antibiotic but for those antibacterial properties to be released, the garlic needs to be crushed or finely chopped. Garlic will only retain its antibiotic properties when in its raw, natural whole state.

Once you have finished chopping the garlic, add it to the honey and cayenne mixture; stir well.

You are finished – It’s that simple!

Administration & Dosage

Now that you have the fully prepared natural herbal remedy, you are ready to administer it to whomever is suffering with strep throat. A dosage of 1/2 teaspoon, administered orally, every 15 minutes over a 24-hour period should do the trick.

If the ill family member is not completely over the ailment within 24 hours, you may continue for another 24-hour period if necessary. I personally have never had to use it for even a full 24 hours.

Note: Sleep is a powerful healer. It is not necessary to wake the sick family member urging them to take another dose of the remedy during sleeping hours. Administering a dose once every 15 minutes during waking hours is plenty good for the mixture to do its job.

Also, do not drink or eat directly after administering the remedy since this will impede its ability to cling to the back of the throat where it is needed. Skipping a dose to have dinner or a snack is perfectly fine.

How this herbal remedy works:

  • The honey will coat the throat and allow the mixture to cling to the areas where its action is needed.
  • The cayenne will bring blood in the body rushing to the area of the throat where the mixture clings to it.
  • The immune system’s white blood cells which are carried in the blood, will go to work fighting the infection.
  • The garlic, nature’s antibiotic, will set to work fighting all the germs and nasties in the throat that are giving us such trouble.

Usnea Lichen Antibiotic Tincture

I ran across another wonderful antibiotic remedy some years ago. While this one uses ingredients most people do not typically have on any given day within their kitchens, I felt it was necessary to include it here since anyone with knowledge in creating their own tinctures can make and have this remedy on hand when the need arises.

The active principle in this formula is Usnic Acid which exists only in lichen products. Usnic Acid is well known to have antibiotic properties and currently there are no synthetic derivatives that are more effective than its natural form.

Ingredients

  • Usnea Lichen
  • 1 pint Everclear (or other 180-190 proof alcohol)

Because Usnea is not water soluble, a purer alcohol is required for this tincture.

Procedure

The general procedure for creating tinctures is detailed within our resources. You can find the instructions here.

Administration & Dosage

Dosages for tinctures will vary depending on the herb in use and the potency of the preparation. Generally, for a chronic condition, a dose of 1 dropperful per day is given and for an acute infection, 1 dropperful every 1 to 3 hours.

There is some variation on children’s dosing, depending on which method of calculation is used. No matter the method, a  children’s dosage will calculate to between 1/4 and 1/3 the typical adult dose. Each person is unique however, so my recommendation would be to start with a smaller dose, observe the reaction, and raise as necessary to achieve the desired result.

Your Family Will Thank You

I have given the Garlic and Cayenne herbal combination to my own children as young as 3 years old with great success. As I stated above, in very extreme, difficult cases, you may continue the treatment out to 48 hours but I personally have never had to use it passed the stated 24 hours.

It is low cost and easy to prepare in the comfort of your own home and contrary to what you might think, it goes down with surprising ease.

I have not personally used the Usnea Lichen Antibiotic Tincture for strep throat but I have no doubt it is just as effective in these cases.

The next time you or one of the children have the unfortunate pleasure of contracting strep throat, give one of these natural remedies a try. It is safe for adults and children alike and a great alternative to prescription antibiotic medication.

Please return and share the stories and experiences regarding the remedies I shared with you today! Use the comment threads below. Have you tried any other natural remedies? I would love to hear of the experiences!

I look forward to learning new remedies and hearing of all your successes!

 

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13 thoughts on “Natural Remedies for Strep Throat”

  1. Hi Shan

    I am so glad I came across your article and the remedy for strep throat. My son and daughter have both suffered this in the past, my son’s got so bad he developed Scarlet Fever, which was not easy on him he was only 7 at the time.

    I will be keeping this remedy safe in case I ever need to make it up – we always have those 3 ingredients in the house, although we tend to favour Acacia Honey I assume any type will do?

    Thanks again, Julie Anne

    Reply
    • Hi Julie Anne,

      I’m happy to help! This remedy is extremely successful in treating strep throat. I only wish I had known about it when I was younger! I had the horrible luck of contracting strep throat at least once a year and what’s worse, no medication I was given seemed to be 100% capable of fighting it so I would end up suffering for weeks sometimes. This remedy stopped the pain of strep and got me back on my feet within about 30 hours. As you can imagine, I was very pleasantly surprised.

      When creating any type of herbal formula with honey, you will always want to use raw unfiltered honey. Once it is heated and refined, it no longer holds it’s medicinal value. If you have any other questions, please don’t hesitate to ask!

      Best, Shan

      Reply
  2. I wasn’t shocked to see garlic being talked about here. It has never missed in my house because I know it can do wonders and miracles. What I didn’t know is the cayenne pepper. Strep throats are common and I see that your remedy is cheap and fast so, using it is way better than artificial pills. I will use this remedy once in awhile. Can I use it even when am not sick just for prevention or to clean my throat?

    Reply
    • Absolutely, this mixture can definitely be used in a preventative way if you like!

      Cayenne and Garlic are both incredibly beneficial for the body. Garlic can be ingested daily to aide the immune system in fighting off any stray bacteria. Rotating between Garlic and Echinacea every few weeks will be even more beneficial as an illness prevention routine. I personally use all three of these herbs each day and I very rarely fall ill.

      Take care, Shannon

      Reply
  3. Garlic has always been touted as a healer and I learned this from one of someone I knew a few ago. He is Persian. We had a dinner at his house and his wife served garlic pickle. I never knew of garlic pickle.

    I asked her how do you cook this garlic pickle? She told me, you don’t, just preserve garlic cloves like you preserve olive or cucumber pickles. You need to keep them in an airtight bottle filled with water and some salt in a fridge, The longer you preserve pickle, like 3-5 years, the better it tastes.

    She offered me to sample her homemade garlic pickle that had been preserved for 4 years and yes it tastes good besides having the herbal/medicinal value you mentioned.

    I am a proponent of traditional medicine those that you can buy at Chinese herbal stores in China town. They contain no chemicals. Our body is not designed to take chemicals, it’s designed to take in nutrients.

    Reply
    • Your friend is right; garlic can be quite the healer however, once it is heated above 120F it begins to lose its medicinal qualities.

      Garlic pickles are one of my favorites! Thanks so much for sharing!

      Reply
  4. I am a big fan of garlic – not so thrilled about its … side effect … you know what I mean. I take it daily in the form of a pill. You are so right calling it “nature’s antibiotic”. I am against prescribed meds, I refuse to put them in my system. So, I always turn to nature when I need medication.

    Thank you so much for this recipe. Looking forward to using it !!

    Reply
    • Yes, garlic has quite the odor associated with it doesn’t it lol?
      It’s refreshing to meet another person who shares my views on prescription medications!

      Thanks so much for stopping by!

      Reply
  5. Garlic is tremendous – take it daily and have done so for 2 years! Never felt better clears the old pipes (circulation) I do believe!

    Reply
    • Yes, garlic gives the immune system a boost and will fight any bad bacteria within the body.

      Although garlic aides the circulatory system, if you’re looking for something to literally “clear the old pipes,” try apple cider vinegar. It will help clear hardened arteries and has other health benefits as well. If you’re like me and can’t handle the taste/smell of apple cider vinegar, a capsule form is available.

      Reply
    • I always do Derek. Most of the time, though, I take garlic in the form of pills which – thank goodness – are odorless!
      Have you ever tried tzatziki? It combines the probiotics of yogurt and the medicinal proprieties of garlic. And it’s delicious and refreshing!

      Reply
      • You can counter act the smell of garlic with parsely, a natural breath freshener!

        Reply
        • Yes indeed parsley will help freshen the breath, thanks for mentioning this point! Peppermint leaf is also a great herb for this 🙂

          Reply

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