Our evaluation looks for the underlying causes of your lasting cough, or sore throat. However, if you’ve only had a sore throat for about 3 days you don’t need a phone consultation, or appointment. If you want natural relief for a scratchy throat, don’t call me. Just read this page instead. Reading this doesn’t cost you anything. Temporary conditions like a cold don’t interest me so much. If that’s what you have, I have written the following for you instead.
Foods for a cough or sore throat
You can eat black radish (we have organically grown Spanish Black Radish in pill form, which is the best). You could also eat garlic, or take our garlic pill. Why? Because its sulfur containing compounds are great for the tonsils and detoxifying, or drainage. Unless you are allergic to garlic, onions or sulfur containing foods (and many people are without even knowing it), use them. Onions contain a compound called quercetin which can help re-balance inflammation. Thinking about eating turmeric? The problem with turmeric is it’s very hard to absorb when used in your food. Turmeric is notorious for not being absorbed well.
The natural alternative to eating turmeric is taking it as a supplement. We have a specifically designed turmeric supplement that has absorption of over 20x turmeric powder. Turmeric-forte is a natural remedy that is highly absorbable!
We also have organic chlorella, which helps your body defend against upper respiratory tract infections (URTI) by supporting mucosal immunity. This means that it helps the passage-ways having a mucous lining, like your sinuses, throat, and bronchial tubes.
Vitamin A is a key player for part of your immune system associated with mucosal immunity. I like our Cod Liver Oil capsules for supplementing vitamin A. Cod liver oil also contains natural vitamin D3 too.
We have a great herbal throat spray
Even in the Los Angeles sun, you should definitely consider getting extra vitamin D when a sore throat is coming-on. D3 is the active form of vitamin D. Vitamin D2 is a cheaper form of vitamin D that you don’t want to supplement to your diet. D2 is the kind in “vitamin D milk.” I recently saw it in the ingredients of a coconut milk product at Trader Joe’s. What can you do, complain?
If you believe that you should not be taking extra vitamin D, then get out into the sun. Vitamin D is a key player for immune system regulation. You don’t want to be low on something like that!
Echinacea is an amazing herb when you get the real, whole root extract that we use. You know it’s the real deal because it makes your tongue tingle. Without that, there’s not enough of the most important part of echinacea. We have the best echinacea in the world, available at our Beverly Hills office. If you leave it on your tongue for a few seconds you will feel it! This authentic echinacea is best used daily, before you even have symptoms. You take it at the very first nuance that you feel a scratchy throat. Don’t wait. Echinacea is not a cure for colds; it is preventive. It is a food, not a drug.
Don’t believe the myths about echinacea. You can, in fact, take it year round. Echinacea does not “stimulate” your immune system, and it is not necessary to “take a break” from its use. Those myths came from faulty research. Some people don’t do well with echinacea. We can determine if that’s your case during an appointment.
Cold and flu remedies
Oil of oregano (label must say “for oral consumption”) is a top pick for sore throat, stuffed nose, scratchy throat, or congestion. You could put two little drops in one teaspoon of olive oil and swallow. I originated this way of taking it, which is much easier than taking it in water! Taking it with water is not pleasant. Oregano oil is spicy! Alternatively, you can try making tea from the oregano in your cupboard. Put about a tablespoon in a cup of hot water and let it steep. Remember, oregano has a spiciness that you never expected, but, getting it past your throat can be helpful.
Oregano oil can also be used to clear out overpopulation of unfriendly bacteria in your gut or mouth. Keep this in mind. If you don’t want this effect on your gut flora, think twice about using this natural remedy. In this case, you could limit using it for more than a two days in a row. Otherwise, it is a good a natural remedy for a temporary sore throat and cough.
Other supplements that could be helpful for immune system resilience are: Congaplex, Thymex, Immuplex, Cyruta-Plus, and Epimune Complex. These work best with proper guidance. To be sure what you need, come get yourself evaluated.
We carry specialized supplements that are not sold in regular stores. One of these is a probiotic with research-supported strains of lactic acid bacteria: ProSynbiotic.
We have an herbal supplement that breaks a persistent cough, but we don’t recommend it by phone, without an evaluation. We know when to use these via our detailed initial consultation, exam and in-office kinesiology testing. Make your appointment for personal guidance of what you need, but don’t call just to talk about a scratchy throat.
Foods to avoid during a sore throat
Through years of experience, I see that about 50 percent of sore throat, or persistent cough can be from toxicity. Generally, you would be better off avoiding milk products at this time. I might also suggest avoiding bread, or pasta. Some people will need to avoid any food product with added sugar. White sugar, brown sugar, cane sugar, and high fructose corn syrup are all part of this food category. Some people need to avoid egg whites. The old myth of an egg-white omelet being healthful is an outgrowth of misinformation about lowering cholesterol. The myth was started by those who know very little about nutrition.
Avoid junk fats. These include any hydrogenated oil at all. Avoid partially hydrogenated oils, brominated vegetable oil, any highly heated oil, and any soy oil. Why is soy oil so bad? Manufacturers heat soy oil to over 500 degrees during its processing. After that, it is no longer a food. Soy and canola oils are largely from genetically modified organisms. Genetically mutated organisms have never been tested for long-term effects on people, yet they are already in our food chain. Avoid GMOs like a lit firecracker on your plate!
The best way to know what you need to avoid or take is to get our evaluation. Otherwise, trial and error takes a lot of time.
If you have an unresponsive or persistent chronic sore throat, or chronic cough, contact us for your appointment. Let’s start a detailed investigation into the underlying causes of your condition. We systematically address the underlying causes for chronic sore throat, or lasting cough. There are many possibilities, even autoimmunity.
Call for your appointment. 310-282-8882.