Pharyngitis is an inflammation of the mucous membrane of the pharynx tract which is precisely the organ that connects the nasal cavity with the oral cavity and with the esophagus, the larynx and the middle ear.

In this area of ​​the body, the mouth canal that goes towards the digestive tract and the airways of the respiratory system meet.

The muscosa of the oropharyngeal tract can thus begin to become irritated and inflamed causing pharyngitis. In the most common jargon we do not use the term pharyngitis which is the name given to the disease diagnosed by the doctor but we popularly use the term sore throat.

Usually this inflammation of the pharynx occurs in the cold season or in the changes of seasons when the climate changes quickly between hot and cold.

Causes of sore throat

Pharyngitis is commonly caused by a sore throat ( sore throat )  or infection caused by a virus or bacterium. The most common viruses responsible for the infection are Herpesvirus, Adenovirus and Rhinovirus.

While the most frequent bacteria are Chlamydia pneumoniae and beta-haemolytic Streptococcus.

In case of viral or bacterial infection, the medical diagnosis is supported by the clinical analysis through the throat swab which is used to identify which microorganism is responsible for the pharyngeal infection.

Other causes that trigger irritation to the pharyngeal mucosa are chemicals, vapors and dust present in the air we breathe. In particular, smog, alcohol and cigarette smoke are the main causes of chronic forms of pharyngitis.

Cold is another element that can trigger throat irritation as it favors the attack of bacteria and viruses.

Furthermore, sudden changes in temperature such as between heated rooms or air conditioning create precisely that imbalance that affects normal respiratory function, thus opening the doors to irritation of the oropharyngeal mucosa.

Dryness in the air and lack of the right humidity are other situations that can trigger irritation of the pharyngeal mucosa.

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Symptoms of pharyngitis

Sore throats usually start with some feeling of dryness in the throat , some small burning of the mucous membrane and difficulty in swallowing.

Subsequently, the irritation and redness of the pharyngeal tract can become stronger with symptoms of even strong and stinging pain.

The difficulty in swallowing becomes more and more intense and annoying up to a real pain when we swallow anything including our saliva.

Finally, there may be red dots , blisters or white plaques on the entire mucous membrane of the throat or on some more affected areas.

A sore throat or pharyngitis is a symptom that often precedes the onset of a cold such as the flu or a cold.

Intervening with natural remedies based on medicinal herbs from the first signs of a sore throat helps prevent these consequences and relieves the pharyngitis itself more quickly.

How to intervene when we have a sore throat

The classic sore throat or pharyngitis has a natural course that is completed within 5-7 days. The first acute symptoms gradually become lighter and the inflammation with its symptoms subside until the pharyngitis disappears.

If this does not happen, a doctor’s consultation is obviously necessary, especially if fever is associated with the sore throat.

When we have a sore throat, especially at the first signs, we can help our body by supporting it with natural remedies based on medicinal plants.

Sure, drinking herbal teas helps relieve the symptoms of a sore throat. The first recommended formulation is made up of cinnamon, cloves and honey .

Even the use of mallow flowers and leaves as an infusion is excellent for calming irritation thanks to the presence of mucilage.

Propolis -based sprays are often used for sore throats, which is a bee product with natural antibiotic properties and naturally relieves pain.

Other herbal sprays contain essential oils with antiseptic, expectorant and soothing properties.

An excellent plant that supports the immune system by promoting tissue regeneration and which also decreases the proliferation of pathogens is echinacea .

Erysimus which is specific for resolving pharyngitis when it also affects the vocal cords and therefore in lowering of voice, hoarseness and aphonia is also excellent help .

Erysme is an expectorant and a mucolytic of the airways and therefore helps to remove congested phlegm but is also analgesic and soothing on the mucous membranes of the entire oropharyngeal tract.

Finally, licorice and ginger are two other natural remedies indicated in the treatment of sore throat. Licorice is a powerful antioxidant with immunostimulating activity and excellent anti-inflammatory power.

Furthermore, licorice is able to calm the stimulus of cough which, when associated with a sore throat, becomes really annoying.

Ginger, on the other hand, is indicated because in addition to being a natural antibiotic and an excellent anti-inflammatory, it is also a natural anesthetic and a natural analgesic that therefore helps to soothe the painful sensations of a sore throat.