Eat some marshmallows to soothe a sore throat
If gargling whiskey doesn't sound like a pleasant way to ease your sore throat, you can get some relief by popping a few marshmallows.
A sore throat can be the first sign of a cold, a side effect of strained vocal cords, or an indication of something more serious like strep throat. Regardless of the cause, your immediate concern when soreness strikes is how to get relief, fast. You may be tempted to run to your doctor, but did you know that marshmallows can also provide some comfort.
Sap from the marshmallow plant has been used for hundreds of years, usually in tea form, to treat coughs, colds, and sore throats. And while real marshmallow bears little relation to the puffy campfire treats that took its name, both may have sore throat-fighting properties.
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According to anecdotal reports, modern-day marshmallows can help ease sore throat pain, possibly because the gelatin coats and soothes. “It’s not the wackiest thing in the world,” Dr. Linder says. “If your throat is really swollen and it really hurts to swallow anything, I can see how something slippery and sweet like marshmallows might provide some relief.”
READ: Soothe your cough with these home remedies
According to Lifehacker.com the sap of the marshmallow root, which is what marshmallows used to be made out of, is also quite effective, and many recommend marshmallow tea for an even more soothing treatment.
Blogger Ashley Brown notes that the gelatin in marhsmallows can be quite soothing:
Eat three or four marshmallows to sooth a sore throat. Greg has actually used this a few times but I’ve always thought it to be quite odd. Come to find out, there’s a scientific reason as to why it works. Apparently, the gelatin is very helpful when it comes to relieving irritation and soothing pain in your throat. And I’m sure it’s a lot more tasty than nasty throat lozenges.
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