Herbal Throat Spray
Herbal Throat Spray - 2 oz.
Ingredients: Echinacea, Elderberry, Sage, Ginger Root, Licorice Root, Raw Local Honey, Grain Alcohol
Shake before each use.
Keep refrigerated. Use within 60 days of opening.
To use: Squeeze one dropper full onto the back of tongue and let coat the throat before swallowing. Use as needed to relieve pain and reduce swelling.
"Echinacea (Echinacea angustifolia)
When Echinacea comes into direct contact with mucous membranes, it stimulates secretions and creates a zingy and numbing sensation. It is also one of our best herbs for promoting lymphatic movement, which can be helpful for swollen lymph around the throat. Echinacea is also broadly antimicrobial and has been shown to be effective against a variety of bacteria, viruses and fungi.1 All in all, Echinacea is anodyne, antimicrobial, lymphatic and an immune stimulant. All of these actions combine to make it a fantastic herb for addressing a wide range of symptoms in a sore throat.
Elderberry (Sambucus canadensis, S. cerulea, S. nigra)
Elderberry is my favorite herb for warding off an upper respiratory infection. It works in many different ways to modulate your immune system, as well as to prevent viral replication.2 3 4 While elderberry doesn’t have as many herbal actions that are beneficial for a sore throat as Echinacea, its ability to prevent the illness from progressing earns it a starring role. It also has a good flavor, which is always helpful in a sore throat spray.
Sage (Salvia officinalis)
Sage is astringent, helping to reduce swelling, which can be a contributing factor to the pain of a sore throat. It’s also antimicrobial. While it could play the main role for a sore throat as a tea, in this sore throat spray formula it’s better suited in a supporting role. Also, a little bit of sage’s strong flavor goes a long way and a lower dosage is best for palatability.
Fresh Ginger (Zingiber officinale)
Herbalists commonly use ginger as a catalyst or synergist in TCM herbal formulas, and it is the perfect catalyst for a sore throat spray formulation. Fresh ginger is wonderfully antimicrobial and somewhat pain relieving. It is also warming in nature, bringing a circulatory stimulating effect to the formula.
Licorice Root (Glycyrrhiza glabra)
Licorice is another common synergist in herbal formulas, especially in TCM. The root is very sweet and is sometimes called a “peacekeeper” in formulas because it is said to bring all the herbs together. In addition to its sweet taste, it is added to this sore throat spray formula because of its antiviral and demulcent qualities. Licorice, when taken in large amounts, can raise a person’s blood pressure, but this generally isn’t a problem when it is used sparingly as a synergist in formulas.
Honey
While technically not an herb, honey is an important part of this formula. Local and minimally processed honey is immunomodulating and antimicrobial. I like adding honey to a sore throat spray because of its demulcent and soothing qualities, as well as for the wonderful flavor."
(Excerpt from How to Make an Herbal Sore Throat Spray – LearningHerbs)
*Disclaimer: Not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease.