Have you ever had strep throat and gone through the cycle of taking a couple of courses of antibiotics and would love to know how to address it naturally? Read on!
Many people get strep throat often, with the majority being children. About 20 to 36 percent of children who get sore throats test positive for strep throat. Since about 90 percent of throat infections are caused by viruses and some by a bacteria called streptococcus pyogenes, boosting the immune system is always a natural and effective way to address strep throat, as antibiotics will not help a viral throat infection.
Most strep throat infections disappear within three to seven days without antibiotic treatment. Natural remedies are worth considering to avoid wiping out all your good bacteria that help to fight invaders and risk reinfection due to gut dysbiosis and the lack of good bacteria that antibiotics may cause.
Some symptoms of strep throat may include:
Swollen tonsils
Swollen lymph nodes
Headaches and fever
Headaches and a sore throat
Sore throat and difficulty swallowing
White or yellow coating on the tonsils and in the throat
Red spots at the roof of the mouth
Red rash (non-itching)
Body aches with headaches
Fatigue
Natural remedies include:
Vitamin C
It is a potent antioxidant, and multiple studies have shown that it effectively combats the symptoms of various viral and bacterial infections. It is an essential micronutrient for humans, and it boosts immunity by enhancing the differentiation and proliferation of our B- and T-cells. This helps fight invading viruses, bacteria, and toxins.
Vitamin C supplementation effectively prevents and treats respiratory and systemic infections (Carr & Maggini, 2017). Be sure to consume vitamin C in higher doses of about 1000mg, especially at the onset of strep or other infections. Taking about 4000mg daily can help fight off infections fast. You can consume vitamin C-rich foods like berries (strawberries, blueberries), kiwi, oranges, etc., to help boost your immunity.
Zinc
Zinc deficiency leads to susceptibility to infections. It is the most important mineral for the immune system because it assists the white blood cells, antibodies, and thymus gland. Multiple clinical studies have shown it to have antimicrobial activities. It is one to use when symptoms of strep or any other infection occur because it has antioxidant properties and inhibits streptococcus (Barma et al., 2021).
Eat zinc-rich foods such as pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, nuts, green leafy vegetables, sprouts, chickpeas, etc. You can also take 30 to 50 mg of zinc supplements with food.
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Echinacea (Echinacea purpurea)
Easily one of my favorite herbs for combating symptoms of infections. Echinacea's bactericidal, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory properties make it suitable for strep throat. Echinacea effectively inactivates Group A (Streptococcus pyogenes) and reverses the inflammation associated with strep throat (Sharma et al., 2010). Which means it is suitable for reducing swelling in the throat and tonsils.
So the next time you feel the onset of strep throat or any infection, grab some echinacea tincture (take 2-4 ml daily, three times daily) or echinacea herbs to combat symptoms and boost your immunity.
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Goldeanseal (Hydrastis canadensis)
Over the years, goldenseal has slowly gained popularity due to its berberine content. It has been used to combat infection and reduce inflammation. Its antimicrobial effect makes it effective for strep throat and other infections (Hwang et al., 2003). Goldenseal can also be used for candida (yeast) infections and to eliminate parasites like tapeworms. Do not use it on children, if pregnant, or breastfeeding without consulting with a holistic health provider or clinical herbalist first.
Goldenseal tincture: https://amzn.to/3LAhArx
Oregano (Origanum vulgare)
Many people use oregano to cook but are unaware of its potent medicinal properties. Oregano essential oils have antibacterial and anti-biofilm properties, making them effective against streptococcus pyogenes (Wijesundara & Rupasinghe, 2018). They are also effective against stubborn antibiotic-resistant bacteria that protect themselves with biofilms.
Oil of oregano is sold in many health food stores. It is well-marketed for its potent antimicrobial properties and can be used at the onset of strep throat. Consult with a holistic health provider or clinical herbalist before use. You can add about two drops to warm water and gaggle.
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Elderberry (Sambucus nigra)
Elderberry has been a well-known immune-boosting herbal remedy for decades and is heavily marketed. It has been proven to have antimicrobial properties, effectively inhibiting pathogenic bacteria and influenza viruses. It is effective against streptococcus pyogenes, known to cause strep throat, and also against multiple microorganisms (Krawitz et al., 2011).
It is one of the safest herbal remedies for children and pregnant and nursing mothers to boost their immunity at the onset of a cold, strep throat, or other infection. Make sure to cook it. Do not consume the unripe or uncooked elderberries, which may cause toxicity. When next you feel the onset of strep throat, grab some elderberry syrup.
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Apple Cider Vinegar
If you're like many people, you probably have apple cider vinegar sitting somewhere on the shelf collecting dust, or you bring it out only when you want to wash your produce. Do you know that apple cider vinegar is effective for coughs, controls blood sugar, and helps restore good gut bacteria? We haven't even scratched the surface of its many uses!
It acts as an antimicrobial agent and is effective against streptococcus and many other microbial organisms (Chandraseharan et al., 2023). Hence, it can be used to relieve strep throat. Make sure to get one with the mother. Gaggle or dilute and drink at the onset of strep throat.
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Hydrogen Peroxide (H2O2)
Have you ever wondered why it is an effective disinfecting substance heavily marketed for wound care and household cleaning? It effectively kills microorganisms and has been proven in multiple clinical trials. It is a known antimicrobial agent and effectively eliminates candida albicans, streptococcus, and biofilms of those stubborn microorganisms (Li et al., 2022).
It is a must in my household for numerous uses, such as wound care, cleaning, and ear infections! Make sure to get a food-grade one and gaggle multiple times at the onset of strep throat.
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While implementing these natural remedies, stay hydrated with lots of freshly squeezed fruit and vegetable juices. Reduce inflammatory foods and substances like processed foods, sugary drinks, and snacks. Additionally, get some vitamin D from the sun and some fresh air.
What To Remember
Strep throat can be addressed naturally without antibiotics. Some effective natural remedies include vitamin C, zinc, echinacea, goldenseal, oregano, elderberry, apple cider vinegar, and hydrogen peroxide. Make sure to stock up on these natural remedies for when you or your loved one feels any symptoms of strep throat.
Furthermore, stay hydrated and replace inflammatory foods such as sugary beverages, processed foods, and snacks with nutrient-dense, vitamin and mineral-rich juices like freshly squeezed fruit and vegetable juice and soups.
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Reference
Barma, M. D., Muthupandiyan, I., Samuel, S. R., & Amaechi, B. T. (2021). Inhibition of Streptococcus mutans, antioxidant property and cytotoxicity of novel nano-zinc oxide varnish. Archives of oral biology, 126, 105132. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.archoralbio.2021.105132
Carr, A. C., & Maggini, S. (2017). Vitamin C and Immune Function. Nutrients, 9(11), 1211. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu9111211
Chandraseharan, P., Sockalingam, S. N. M., Shafiei, Z., Zakaria, A. S. I., Mahyuddin, A., & Rahman, M. A. (2023). The Efficacy of Apple Cider Vinegar at Different pH Values as an Antimicrobial Agent: An In Vitro Study. The journal of contemporary dental practice, 24(10), 779–786. https://doi.org/10.5005/jp-journals-10024-3581
Hwang, B. Y., Roberts, S. K., Chadwick, L. R., Wu, C. D., & Kinghorn, A. D. (2003). Antimicrobial constituents from goldenseal (the Rhizomes of Hydrastis canadensis) against selected oral pathogens. Planta medica, 69(7), 623–627. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-2003-41115
Krawitz, C., Mraheil, M. A., Stein, M., Imirzalioglu, C., Domann, E., Pleschka, S., & Hain, T. (2011). Inhibitory activity of a standardized elderberry liquid extract against clinically-relevant human respiratory bacterial pathogens and influenza A and B viruses. BMC complementary and alternative medicine, 11, 16. https://doi.org/10.1186/1472-6882-11-16
Li, Y., Du, J., Huang, S., Wang, S., Wang, Y., Cai, Z., Lei, L., & Huang, X. (2022). Hydrogen peroxide potentiates antimicrobial photodynamic therapy in eliminating Candida albicans and Streptococcus mutans dual-species biofilm from denture base. Photodiagnosis and photodynamic therapy, 37, 102691. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pdpdt.2021.102691
Sharma, S. M., Anderson, M., Schoop, S. R., & Hudson, J. B. (2010). Bactericidal and anti-inflammatory properties of a standardized Echinacea extract (Echinaforce): dual actions against respiratory bacteria. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology, 17(8-9), 563–568. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phymed.2009.10.022
Wijesundara, N. M., & Rupasinghe, H. P. V. (2018). Essential oils from Origanum vulgare and Salvia officinalis exhibit antibacterial and anti-biofilm activities against Streptococcus pyogenes. Microbial pathogenesis, 117, 118–127. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.micpath.2018.02.026
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