Sore throat is a condition we learn to deal with from a very young age.
Many of us surely remember spending days at home and skipping school due to a bad sore throat, sometimes so severe that even swallowing saliva or eating would be difficult.
As adults we might have experienced sore throat less frequently, yet discomfort remains the same. That is why, as soon as we feel something is wrong with our throat (tingling or difficulty swallowing) we need to batten down the hatches to find relief.
But exactly, what is sore throat? How long does it last on average? Are there factors that can make us more prone to such ailment?
Let's find an answer to all these questions.
What actually is “sore throat”?
Sore throat - or pharyngitis - is an inflammatory process that affects the pharynx and can result in pain, irritation, and difficulty swallowing.
Let's start by saying that “sore throat” affects a number of areas in the oral cavity, i.e. the pharynx, larynx, tonsils, and adenoids.
Pain and inflammation can affect one or more of these areas. This is why sore throats can be due to tonsillitis, pharyngitis, and laryngitis. The most common symptom, as said, is pain, which may or may not be associated with difficulty swallowing.
We tend to think that sore throat is a typically winter condition, and indeed, the coldest months do put our throat to the test! However, in recent years, summer has also been marked by frequent sore throats. The reason, as you can easily imagine, is due to the temperature changes when moving from a very hot environment to a colder one and vice versa. These temperature fluctuations are detrimental to our throat.
Sore throats can be caused by respiratory viruses (rhinovirus, adenovirus, influenza virus, coronavirus, respiratory syncytial virus) or bacteria (the most common is Streptococcus).
How long can sore throat last?
Usually, sore throat is an acute yet transitory condition. The duration of symptoms varies from a few days to a week or so.1 Sometimes though, specific factors can make sore throat last for weeks and even months until it becomes chronic.
Are there factors that can make us more prone to sore throat?
Certainly, the “prime suspect” among the causes for sore throat is the winter season when viruses and bacteria easily spread.
However, there are other common situations that can cause problems to our throat, namely:
- environmental allergies (pet dander, mold, dust, pollen),
- dry and stale air indoor,
- persistent inhalation of irritants (polluted air, cigarette smoke, toxic fumes from industrial plants),
- alcohol and spicy foods,
- speaking loudly, or talking many hours a day restlessly,
- laryngopharyngeal reflux (a digestive disorder caused by the stomach acid repeatedly flowing back up into the esophagus thus causing irritation to the esophagus and pharynx mucosa).
We shall see, now, how Mother Nature can help alleviate such discomfort and what clinical and scientific studies reveal the properties of the plant-based active ingredients we have selected for Goladoc.
Experimental Phytotherapy
PROPOLSAVE®
Bosio K, Avanzini C, D'Avolio A, Ozino O, Savoia D. In vitro activity of propolis against Streptococcus pyogenes. Lett Appl Microbiol. 2000 Aug;31(2):174-7. doi: 10.1046/j.1365-2672.2000.00785.x. PMID: 10972723.
According to this study, carried out by a team of the Turin University, propolis extracts have the capacity to inhibit the growth of as many as 46 different strains of Streptococcus.
Di Pierro F, Zanvit A, Colombo M. Role of a proprietary propolis-based product on the wait-and-see approach in acute otitis media and in preventing evolution to tracheitis, bronchitis, or rhinosinusitis from nonstreptococcal pharyngitis. Int J Gen Med. 2016 Nov 11;9:409-414. doi: 10.2147/IJGM.S118967. PMID: 27956842; PMCID: PMC5113938.
Another Italian study on propolis extract was carried out on 56 children affected by sore throat and middle ear infection (otitis media) of the viral type (non-streptococcal). The results showed that the administration of a propolis supplement for 72 hours lessens the severity of middle ear infections and viral pharyngitis, reduces the use of antipyretics and anti-inflammatory drugs, and decreases the risk of subsequent tracheitis, bronchitis, and rhinosinusitis.
Zeghbib W, Boudjouan F, Vasconcelos V, Lopes G. Phenolic Compounds' Occurrence in Opuntia Species and Their Role in the Inflammatory Process: A Review. Molecules. 2022 Jul 25;27(15):4763. doi: 10.3390/molecules27154763. PMID: 35897933; PMCID: PMC9330797.
In this review, researchers report evidence that Opuntia species, including prickly pear, contain several classes of phenolic compounds with anti-inflammatory properties. The extract from prickly pear cladodes appears to have a soothing and decongestant action on the mucous membranes of the upper airways. Additionally, prickly pear mucopolysaccharides form a protective lining on the upper airways mucosa allowing for the regeneration of the damaged epithelial tissues.
Endophyllene®-S FL
Quintans-Júnior LJ, Araújo AA, Brito RG, Santos PL, Quintans JS, Menezes PP, Serafini MR, Silva GF, Carvalho FM, Brogden NK, Sluka KA. β-caryophyllene, a dietary cannabinoid, complexed with β-cyclodextrin produced anti-hyperalgesic effect involving the inhibition of Fos expression in superficial dorsal horn. Life Sci. 2016 Mar 15;149:34-41. doi: 10.1016/j.lfs.2016.02.049. Epub 2016 Feb 13. PMID: 26883973.
Paula-Freire LI, Andersen ML, Gama VS, Molska GR, Carlini EL. The oral administration of trans-caryophyllene attenuates acute and chronic pain in mice. Phytomedicine. 2014 Feb 15;21(3):356-62. doi: 10.1016/j.phymed.2013.08.006. Epub 2013 Sep 20. PMID: 24055516.
Aly E, Khajah MA, Masocha W. β-Caryophyllene, a CB2-Receptor-Selective Phytocannabinoid, Suppresses Mechanical Allodynia in a Mouse Model of Antiretroviral-Induced Neuropathic Pain. Molecules. 2019 Dec 27;25(1):106. doi: 10.3390/molecules25010106. PMID: 31892132; PMCID: PMC6983198.
The three studies show how β-caryophyllene extract from cloves binds with a specific cannabinoid receptor (CB2) to be found in the immune and nervous tissues. As such receptor is one of the main mediators for pain and inflammation, by binding to it, β-caryophyllene deploys its analgesic, anti-edematous, and pain-relieving action. Hence, inflamed muscle pain as well as acute and chronic pain are diminished. That is why, β-caryophyllene can be beneficial in case of upper airways discomfort.
Mazutti da Silva SM, Rezende Costa CR, Martins Gelfuso G, Silva Guerra EN, de Medeiros Nóbrega YK, Gomes SM, Pic-Taylor A, Fonseca-Bazzo YM, Silveira D, Magalhães PO. Wound Healing Effect of Essential Oil Extracted from Eugenia dysenterica DC (Myrtaceae) Leaves. Molecules. 2018 Dec 20;24(1):2. doi: 10.3390/molecules24010002. PMID: 30577426; PMCID: PMC6337431.
Recent studies on skin lesion models have shown that β-caryophyllene can be considered as a useful agent for wound healing, tissue regeneration, and remodeling. This effect is very beneficial for maintaining the upper airways in good health. That is why, β-caryophyllene can be beneficial in case of upper airways ailments.
Agrimony
Tsirigotis-Maniecka M, Zaczyńska E, Czarny A, Jadczyk P, Umińska-Wasiluk B, Gancarz R, Pawlaczyk-Graja I. Antioxidant and Protective Effects of the Polyphenolic Glycoconjugate from Agrimonia eupatoria L. Herb in the Prevention of Inflammation in Human Cells. J Funct Biomater. 2023 Mar 26;14(4):182. doi: 10.3390/jfb14040182. PMID: 37103272; PMCID: PMC10142550.
Several studies conducted on Agrimony leaves are the object of this review. As Agrimony is high in polyphenols, it exhibits antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties especially on the epithelial cells of the upper airways.
Eucalyptus
Cermelli C, Fabio A, Fabio G, Quaglio P. Effect of eucalyptus essential oil on respiratory bacteria and viruses. Curr Microbiol. 2008 Jan;56(1):89-92. doi: 10.1007/s00284-007-9045-0. Epub 2007 Oct 31. PMID: 17972131.
This extensive in vitro study tested the antibacterial and antiviral properties of eucalyptus essential oil on 120 isolates of Streptococcus pyogenes, 20 isolates of S. pneumoniae, 20 isolates of Staphylococcus aureus, 40 isolates of Haemophilus influenzae, 30 isolates of Haemophilus influenzae, 10 isolates of Klebsiella pneumoniae, 10 isolates of Stenotrophomonas maltophilia and two viruses, all of which came from patients affected by respiratory tract infections. All isolates showed susceptibility to eucalyptus essential oil which is therefore a promising remedy for the treatment of throat ailments.
Mieres-Castro D, Ahmar S, Shabbir R, Mora-Poblete F. Antiviral Activities of Eucalyptus Essential Oils: Their Effectiveness as Therapeutic Targets against Human Viruses. Pharmaceuticals (Basel). 2021 Nov 23;14(12):1210. doi: 10.3390/ph14121210. PMID: 34959612; PMCID: PMC8706319.
This review analyzed available studies on the action of eucalyptus essential oil against human respiratory tract viruses. Scientific evidence shows that eucalyptus oil can exert anti-inflammatory, mucolytic, and spasmolytic effects which lessen the inflammatory response caused by viruses of the respiratory tract.
Helichrysum
Balázs VL, Filep R, Répás F, Kerekes E, Szabó P, Kocsis B, Böszörményi A, Krisch J, Horváth G. Immortelle (Helichrysum italicum (Roth) G. Don) Essential Oil Showed Antibacterial and Biofilm Inhibitory Activity against Respiratory Tract Pathogens. Molecules. 2022 Aug 27;27(17):5518. doi: 10.3390/molecules27175518. PMID: 36080283; PMCID: PMC9457731.
An interesting in vitro study tested the ability of Helichrysum essential oil to exert antibacterial and anti-biofilm action. The purpose of the study was to investigate the antibacterial and biofilm-inhibitory activity of Helichrysum essential oil against the most common respiratory tract pathogens. The results showed that Helichrysum essential oil is effective against the most common bacteria of the respiratory tract thanks to its antibacterial and anti-biofilm action.
DISCLAIMER
Our texts are for information purposes only and should not be considered as indications for diagnosis and treatment of pathological conditions. They cannot replace your physician’s advice.
I nostri testi hanno scopo divulgativo, non vanno intesi come indicazione di diagnosi e cura di stati patologici e non vogliono sostituirsi in alcun modo al parere del Medico.
