First sign of sore throat / cold does salt water help?

[Cloud44]

I’m prone to struggling with my throat but one thing I haven’t done is gargled with salt water at the first sign of a bad throat and cold starting- does it help? How many times should I do it a day?

It works for me. If its right at the start, once before bed is enough for me. Otherwise 3 times a day. I use warm, salty water.

It works for me too. Blast your throat by gurgling very salty water and swish it round your mouth. Couple times a day. Kills lots of stuff off.

Ginger, lemon and honey, the real things, in hot water work best for me, I didn't personally find the salt gargle helpful, but I know others that have. I'm very prone to sore throats and laryngitis.

Thank you, I ll give it a try!

It definitely works but it’s horrible 🤢 I’ve always found it impossible.

Hot whiskey with honey and lemon, then an early night with hot water bottle and Vicks usually cures me if I catch it early enough. And lots of water.

I don’t know, but my grandmother taught me to rub my neck with Vicks before bed and pin a sock around it - works like magic

Not heard that one before @jengachampion . Does that still work for really bad throats - tonsilitis?

This very combination is what works for me and has never failed me. I often leave out the honey if I don't have pure honey and I drink it as hot as possible. I went through horrendous bouts of viral infections and sore throat during pregnancy and this magic mix worked for me every time. You need to simmer the lemon with skin on(chopped in chunks).

Honey and lemon in warm water is much much better

First thing I always do. No idea if it works or not, but it's the first thing I do at the first hint of an issue.

Also get yourself some Berocca.

Gargling with TCP is the only thing that works for me.

You can also try adding a little apple cider vinegar to the salt water to help kill the germs.

In that situation I use an iodide solution for gargling. Also, netipot. Also, overnight sweat cure - double PJs and double duvet. And a megadose of zinc (70-80mg) as a one off right at the outset actually is the only kind supplement fir which there is actual evidence.