How to Soothe a Sore Throat?

If you're feeling under the weather, or your throat is a little sore, scratchy, or itchy, the solution may be as close as your liquor cabinet. Grab your bottle of whiskey—it may be all you need to soothe that sore throat and go back to work, school, or even just bed. The crew at Greatist reminds us of one of our grandparents' favorite home remedies that actually has some merit: mix a little whiskey, warm water, and honey if you're feeling fancy, and gargle the mixture to numb and soothe the sore spots in your throat.

The alcohol really does the work, and the water and honey are there for dilution and flavor. If you're serious, we suppose you could gargle the whiskey and then go ahead and swallow it, assuming your sore throat isn't that bad. Greatist goes on to describe some other uses for whiskey, but using it as a cold remedy is as good a reason to keep a bottle nearby as any.

If you prefer rum, I know several people who keep a bottle of dark rum nearby for medicinal purposes—specifically for use in hot toddies. Just remember that while alcohol may help your throat feel better, it's still more important to drink lots of fluids, so chase your whiskey or hot toddy with a few glasses of water to stay hydrated. Let's be clear: Home remedies can't and don't cure diseases like the common cold, but many of them alleviate the symptoms, or at least take our minds off of our illnesses.

What are some of your favorites?