If you haven’t jumped on the honey bandwagon yet, what are you waiting for? Unlike other health foods that aren’t always the definition of delicious, honey is sweet, tasty, and incredibly useful. Here’s why you should always keep a jar of local honey in your pantry.
Why is My Throat Dry?
Dry throat is a pretty common ailment, and it can often be hard to pinpoint the exact causes of this condition and get relief. Generally speaking, dry throat can be explained by minor changes in medication, cold and flu, or merely not drinking enough water. However, it may also be an indication of a more severe underlying condition that could require medical attention. Here are a few reasons you may have a dry throat and what to do about it.
Note: If you have persistent dry throat for more than 1-2 weeks or any of the following symptoms, you should schedule an appointment with your primary care doctor as soon as possible.
- Trouble swallowing
- Wheezing or shortness of breath
- High fever over 101.0 degrees Fahrenheit
- Rash
- Chest pain
- Extreme fatigue
Reasons you may have a dry throat
Allergies
‘Tis the season for allergies galore. Spring often takes down even the most resilient with a battery of seasonal allergies or hay fever. When these allergens get into your body, they cause an overreaction of the immune system and a release of histamines that can produce the following symptoms.
- Dry throat
- Cough
- Stuffy or runny nose
- Itchy skin, mouth, or eyes
It’s a good idea to try to isolate what your body is responding to with an environmental allergy. That way, you can try to avoid it or plan-ahead by taking precautionary anti-histamines. These are a few common allergens.
- Pollen
- Grass
- Mold
- Dust mites
- Pet hair
- Certain foods
Dehydration
Though this seems like a no-brainer, we are often very adept at ignoring our bodies signals of dehydration. If a drink of water alleviates your dry throat, then you may have solved the problem.
Common cold (or flu)
We’re all familiar with that dry or sore throat feeling that comes along with the onset of a cough, runny nose, and excessive sneezing. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), people will contract an average of 2-3 cases of the common cold every year.
Symptoms of the common cold or flu:
- Coughing
- Sneezing
- Mild fever
- Body aches
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Sore/dry throat
- Chills
Maintain proper hygiene and frequently wash your hands with warm soap and water to prevent the spread of bacteria that leads to a cold. Be sure to build up your immune system with an adequate amount of leafy greens and other vitamin-rich vegetables.
The flu is usually a more serious respiratory condition and may require longer recovery time.
Sleeping with your mouth open
If you notice a dry throat right after you wake up, you are most likely sleeping with your mouth open which dries out the saliva that your mouth produces to keep it moist. This could be related to a cold if you have a stuffy nose and are unable to breathe through it, or it could be an unrelated sleeping habit. If you are prone to snoring or fall asleep in an upright position, this is most likely the cause of your dry throat.
Tonsilitis
Tonsilitis is an inflammation of the tonsils in the back of the throat. This inflammation is usually caused by a virus or bacteria and can cause a dry throat along with these other symptoms.
- Headache
- Swollen, red, or white patches on the tonsils
- Fever
- Bad breath
- Hoarse voice
- Swollen lymph nodes in the neck
Natural dry throat remedies
Saltwater: Gargle with warm salt water to help soothe a dry throat and prevent scratching.
Avoidance: If your dry throat is related to allergies, try eliminating them from your home or avoiding them if possible.
Staying hydrated: Even if your dry throat is not directly related to dehydration, it is essential that you keep your throat moist. Try drinking lemon water or warm tea with honey. Avoid drinks with ice as these can irritate the throat.
Honey: Taking a spoonful of honey can help remedy dry throat. Be sure to use local, raw, organic honey.
Keep in mind that each cause of dry throat may have a different remedy. It is important to isolate the root of the issue and work on treatment from there.
Have you had any experience with a dry throat? Which remedies worked for you? Let us know in the comments below!
-Susan Patterson
This Honey Heel Cream Will Make Your Foot Cracks Disappear
For as long as I can remember, I have struggled with dry and cracked skin on my heels. I spend a lot of time in sandals and a lot of time in the dirt in bare feet gardening. These two things don’t help my seemingly chronic condition. I have tried any number of things to remedy the situation including putting Vaseline on my heels at night and wearing socks. This works for only a little while and the dry skin reappears. I also make a point of having regular pedicures to show my feet just how much Iove them.
Since I refuse to stop wearing sandals and absolutely refuse to stop playing in the dirt, I am always searching for something to help heal my feet. A few weeks ago, a friend of mine suggested that I try some of her moisturizing heel cream she had made for a family member who suffers from the same issues I do. Of course, with all of the remedies I had tried over the years to no avail, I was skeptical at best.
The remedy contained an ingredient I had never tried before: honey. Knowing what I know about honey’s therapeutic value, I was at least somewhat inspired and excited to give it a try.
Why honey
Honey is the oldest sweetener on earth but it is so much more than that. The medicinal properties of honey have been well known for thousands of years. I believe it is one of the most potent power foods on the planet and everyone should have a jar (or three!) in their home at all times.
This invaluable gift from the bees is loaded with vitamins, trace enzymes, amino acids and minerals including calcium, iron, sodium chloride, phosphate, potassium, and magnesium. It is also slightly acidic which helps to reduce bacteria.
Multiple studies have proven that honey can aid in healing due to its natural antibacterial properties. In addition, honey reacts with the body’s fluids to make hydrogen peroxide, which kills bacteria.
It works
I have regularly used honey as a moisturizer for my hair and my face, so it is no wonder that my friend recommended it for my feet. After three weeks of use, my feet are noticeably softer and I have fewer cracks. If you are like me and suffer from dry, cracked feet, I encourage you to give this moisturizing heel cream a try.
Daily Honey Moisturizing Heel Cream
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup organic honey
- 1 tbsp whole milk
- 1/4 of a whole orange, juiced
Equipment
- Small glass jar with lid for storage
- Pumice stone or foot file
Instructions
- Gather the ingredients.
- Warm the honey just enough to make it easy to spread. This should only take 15-20 minutes in the microwave.
- Stir in the milk and the juice of the orange.
- Using a spatula, place the mix into the small jar.
- Using the pumice stone or the foot file, rub off some of the callused skin on your heel before applying a thin layer of the mixture. Spread evenly on your heels.
- Massage as much of it into your skin as possible.
- Leave the mixture on for at least 30 minutes. Rinse off with warm water.
- Do this twice a day until you can feel and see the difference. Use as often as needed. This will keep in the refrigerator for a month.
— Susan Patterson
7 At-Home Remedies for Chapped Skin and Lips
I don’t know about you, but I’ve always had a love-hate relationship with winter that is usually firmly planted in the hate category. Yes, the snow is lovely, and spending the holidays with family is always a treat. However, once the new year rolls around and spring is just a few months away, I’m ready to say goodbye to grey skies, freezing temperatures, and the cracked and dry skin that is my constant wintertime companion. Unfortunately, winter is unavoidable, and so, too, is the struggle that I have in keeping my skin hydrated and healthy. Thankfully, there are ways to keep the dry skin at bay. Instead of turning to chemical-laden products that just cover up the issue, I’ve put together a few of my favorite, all-natural remedies that you can whip up at home.
7 Ways to Use Food for Your Skin
Believe it or not, those ten products that you apply to your skin every morning and evening aren’t going to do you any good when you are filling your body with processed foods and sugary drinks like soda. Great skin starts from the inside out, and eating a whole foods diet with loads of vegetables, and limited sugar is a great way to recapture that youthful glow.
5 Bedtime Tonics that Will Lull You to Sleep
Insomnia is not only frustrating and exhausting, but inadequate sleep can actually increase your risk for several concerning health issues such as type 2 diabetes, depression, and high blood pressure. It is time to take control of your sleep for good and eliminate those restless nights. Along with a healthy sleep routine and cutting back on caffeine late in the day, these tonics can help lull you to a great night of rest.
Add These Delicious Things to Your Summer Tea
Tea isn’t just a drink to warm you up on those cold winter evenings; it is also an excellent beverage to enjoy as you relax by the pool with the sun kissing your skin. Of course, once the forecast spikes above a certain point in late spring, you’ll want to pass on the warm mug of tea and bring things down a few degrees with a chilled version complemented by these delicious additions. Simply brew your favorite tea like normal and place it in the fridge for a few hours to create a healthy, hydrating summer drink.
8 DIY Lip Treatments You Can Make at Home
Just like the rest of your skin, lips require a little effort to keep them looking and feeling their best. Whip up these super easy, nourishing treatments to create totally kissable lips.
Add These 8 Things to Your Tea to Make it Taste Great
Tea is one of the most famous health drinks out there. It is naturally flavored and usually full of beneficial ingredients such as antioxidants that can increase your wellbeing and even help you lose weight. Plus, it is a great way to keep you hydrated if you are tired of just drinking plain old water. Unfortunately, the sometimes bitter taste of plain tea isn’t for everyone. If you’re like me and need a little boost to make tea more flavorful, try adding these any of these eight ingredients to your next cup.
How Putting Sugar on Your Lawn Could Save the Bees
Most of us have had at least one unfortunate encounter with the tail end of a bee. Often, it is easy to think of these flying insects as mere pests, or irritating creatures to keep away at all costs. We see…we swat. Making every effort to avoid bees and their painful stingers. However, bees are actually an essential part of our fragile ecosystem and should be protected whenever possible.