My child got sick on Monday afternoon and started complaining of a sore throat. By Monday evening, I was having the same symptoms. My friend’s kiddo had been exposed to strep and we had spent some time near them on Sunday evening, so I was freaking out on the inside just a little bit. I hate strep. I don’t want to be around anyone who has it because I usually get it no matter what.

Disclaimer: I’m not sure if what we had was strep, but I was going to give a home remedy a shot since the doctor’s office and Convenient Care were closed and our only option was the ER. I was not going to be one of those people…

I was also freaking out a little bit because I am leading worship this weekend and I needed to be 100% better by rehearsal on Thursday. I asked my husband to bring home several items that are claimed to be natural remedies for sore throats and I made a special tea.

Ingredients (as always, measurements are rough estimates):

1/2 lemon sliced

1/3 cup apple cider vinegar with the mother

2 tbsp. Manuka honey

3 tbsp. Himalayan salt

1 minced clove fresh garlic

1/4-1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper

1 tea bag chamomile lavender tea

boiled water

I added the lemons, apple cider vinegar, Manuka honey, Himalayan salt, garlic, and cayenne pepper to a 4 cup canning jar. You can vary these measurements to your liking. Next, I boiled the water and filled it just below the 4 cup mark and let the tea bag steep until it was the consistency I desired.

I filled a cup with this mixture while it was still warm. You can drink it cold, as well, but shake it first because the cayenne pepper sinks to the bottom and leaves you with very spicy tea.

After drinking an entire cup of this mixture that I lovingly call Foot Tea (because of the smell), my sore throat was completely gone within 24 hours. The taste is very strong, but if you can tolerate it, it is so much better than being sick for several days. I also made my boys drink some the next day and they had the same result. So, within 48 hours, we were cold free and ready to resume our normal schedule.

I don’t know about you, but I am ready for consistent warmer weather and no more illness for awhile. What natural options do you rely on for sore throats or colds? Please share your go-to remedies in the comments.