Loading...Q. I just read the letter from a reader who had recurrent sinus infections for years. I too had this same problem in my 20s and 30s. I found a remedy that worked for me.
Alcohol is widely used for disinfecting, right? I started gargling with beer or wine as soon as I felt that itchy/scratchy feeling in the throat at the onset of a cold. I continued drinking a can of beer or a glass of wine a day. I noticed this seemed to stop the progress of the cold and the sinus infection dead in its tracks.
This method worked so well that I never stopped the treatment. I haven’t had a cold or sinus infection since then. I am now 79 and still enjoy my daily glass of wine. And no, I am not an alcoholic.
A. We’ve heard of gargling with salt water, but not beer or wine. Then again, people gargle with Listerine, which has quite a lot of alcohol. We can’t recommend your unusual approach but we’re intrigued that you have had such success. There are a number of other remedies for sore throats in our Guide to Colds, Coughs and the Flu.
Dee
I think one beer nice and cold can help the sore throat
k.t
I actually drink beer mixed with salt when I have a sore throat, and it really helps relief it in a few hours. Mix the beer with salt, and then drink it right away. Just gulp down the whole thing right after you mix it. then, go to sleep. I recommend drinking the beer before bed.
SinginSarah
Make sure to drink lots of water. Throat clearing isn’t necessarily a sign of lots of mucus, but rather a sign of thick mucus. Staying well hydrated will thin the mucus out. Also, throat clearing can become more of a habit than a necessity; just something to be aware of. The phlegm might also be produced because of acid reflux. If there is an irritation in the throat because acid contact at night, the rest of the day will be filled with sore throat or mucus to help coat the throat. I never had daytime heart burn but when a period of AM sore throats and a continued feeling of congestion sent me to the laryngologist, they diagnosed me with acid reflux.
Dave
Take 2 tablespoon of honey and pour it in a glass,
Take a whole lemon and squeeze it onto thr honey
Pour the honey-lemon in a pot and heat it for 2-3 mins
Drink it-: warning, it will be sour but your throat will feel brand new within mins
Ryan E.
I have used this remedy before as well. It does work, but you must make sure that the beer is room temp. I know, sounds gross, but it is much better than being cold. Cold beer or any cold beverage actually can make your throat worse off. You know, you don’t have to sallow the room temp beer to still have it work ;)
Oh, and make sure to gargle for roughly 30 seconds. Works for me every time, but takes about 30 min to have the beer get warm outside the fridge, so make sure to plan.
joyce s.
I was diagnosed by a periodontist with lichen planus. I have been given a steroid prescription twice, then cream to use in mouth. Does it really last a long time and recur frequently?
B.C.
I have phlegm in my throat which has bothered me for a year or so. A Specialist inspected the nose etc. but found nothing. I decided to try a Neti pot with warm water and salt but I am still bothered with it clearing my throat for several hours at a time. The nose feels like a cold is present. Needless to say – I’ll gargle with the beer and hope it works!
Paul43
I would like to hear more on this subjesct.
Verna
I have sipped red wine for sore throat or sore glands many times and found it helps.
RC1956
My dad had the same idea but used whiskey to gargle with. He too was never down with a sore throat or a cold. He worked as an administrator in a hospital and was in that environment daily.