Recover fast from a sore throat: in the winter I get frequent sore throats that often give way to full-blown colds. What can I do? - Ask the experts: answers to your questions from the leaders in natural medicine

Natural Health, Dec, 2002

JENNIFER JACOBS, M.D., M.P.H., REPLIES: Some sore throats can be effectively treated at home; others need a doctor's care. If you have a fever of more than 102 degrees, enlarged tender glands in your neck, and yellow discharge in the back of your throat, you might have bacterial strep throat and should seek medical advice. If you don't have these symptoms, try one of the following homeopathic remedies.

These highly diluted animal, mineral, or plant substances boost your body's healing powers. You can find them in most natural food stores and some drugstores.

To find the right remedy for you, read the following descriptions and pick the one that most closely matches your symptoms. Every four to six hours, take one dose in the 30C potency, or take the 12C potency every two to three hours. Stop taking the remedy as soon as symptoms improve. If you don't feel better after one day, try a different remedy.

Mercurius vivus is your best remedy if your symptoms include a sore, raw, burning sensation in your throat; a swollen throat and tonsils; a foul odor and excessive saliva in your mouth; and a yellow coating on your tongue. You might also feel alternately cold and hot, with foul-smelling sweat and difficulty sleeping at night.

If you have a sharp pain in your throat (like from a stick or splinter) that extends to your ears when you swallow; have a dry, hoarse cough; are extremely chilly and sensitive to drafts but sweat profusely; and are irritable and oversensitive to light, motion, noise, and touch, then Hepar sulphuris calcareum will help.

Lachesis is a good remedy if you have a sore throat that is predominantly on your left side and feels swollen (whether it actually is or not) and pain that is worse when you swallow saliva or hot drinks but better when you swallow cold things. Your pain is often worse at night and in the morning when first waking.

You should try Belladonna if your sore throat comes on suddenly, is very intense, and is worse on the right side. Your throat might be red and the glands in your neck might feel hot and swollen and may burn or throb with pain. Your throat may also feel constricted, and you may have difficulty swallowing.

If your pain is worse at night and at the back of the throat near the root of your tongue, your throat feels sore and hot and is dark red or bluish in color, and your tonsils are swollen, then Phytolacca might help. You may also feel a lump in your throat and intense pain shooting into your ears when you swallow.

Frequent or recurring sore throats are a sign of an imbalance in your body and indicate the need for a consultation with a homeopathic health care professional. To find a homeopath, contact the American Institute of Homeopathy (888-445-9988; www.homeopathyusa.org).