15 Best Proven Home Remedies For Dry Throat, Mouth, And Tongue Revealed

Dryness in the throat, mouth, and tongue is an uncomfortable, even a nuisance condition which is unfortunately extremely common during the cold season. It can lead to a variety of symptoms, including dry and parched feeling all over the oral cavity, sore throat, difficulty swallowing and chewing, scratchy or itchy feeling in the throat, bad breath, gum and tooth diseases, etc. Of course, no one expects those symptoms to come, since they affect many sides of life. But if in case suffering from this problem, what should we do to get rid of it? This article will give you top 15 proven home remedies for dry throat, mouth, and tongue as well as some small tips to prevent it.

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15 Proven Home Remedies For Dry Throat, Mouth, And Tongue

The recipes we've focused on are traditional home remedies , so always consult your doctor and check out your health condition regularly to know if a remedy is working for you.

I. What Causes Dry Throat, Mouth, And Tongue?

Generally, the cause of oral cavity dryness is that the salivary glands do not produce enough saliva to keep the oral cavity always moist. Besides, there are still some more specific reasons for dry throat, mouth, and tongue that we cannot ignore.

1. Causes Of Dry Throat

• Dehydration: The consequence of body dehydration is that most parts of the body will gradually become dry, throat is no exception. Dehydration is caused by a deficiency in water supply, owing to more complications rather than the dry throat, such as urinating less, thick and darker urine, fatigue, dizziness, etc.
• Tonsillitis: This is the inflammation of tonsils, which is frequently the result of viral and bacterial infections. A tonsil is a large group of lymphatic organs, located below the mucous membrane and considered as an important gateway of respiratory protection. Along with dry throat, inflamed tonsils also bring on several health signs, involving the sore throat, swollen lymph nodes, headache, fever, etc.
• Viral and bacterial infections: Apart from tonsillitis, viral and bacterial infections likewise give rise to flu and cold. Dry throat is a typical side effect of these two illnesses.
• Allergies: If a person has seasonal allergies, substances in the ambient will make his or her immune system go overboard. The immune system then discharges a chemical compound called histamine, which is responsible for a dry throat.
• Obstructive sleep apnea: When you have breathing difficulty while sleeping, you will tend to breathe through your mouth. And when your mouth is open during sleep, the air will dry the saliva, resulting in you waking up with a dry throat.
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD): This is a digestive disorder in which acid in the stomach flows back from the stomach into the food tube. The acid will generate a burning dry throat.

2. Causes Of Dry Mouth And Tongue

Below are some of the main reasons for dry mouth (Xerostomia)^[1]:

• Medications: Some types of medicines for depression, anxiety, hypertension, HIV/AIDS, alongside antihistamines, muscle relaxants, and painkillers all have chances to cause dry mouth and tongue.
• Chemotherapy and radiation therapy: Meds in chemotherapy and radiation impacting directly head and neck can decrease the amount of saliva and damage the salivary glands.
• Neurological diseases: Studies have shown that diseases such as Alzheimer’s and other nerve damages are related to dry mouth and tongue because patients with unstable memory often do not guarantee the amount of water needed daily. Plus, prescribed medications may also induce the risk of dryness.
• Stimulants: Smoking and consuming alcohol both cause dry mouth and tongue due to certain encompassed chemical elements.

II. Home Remedies For Dry Throat

1. Tea With Green Cardamoms And Cloves

Whole spices like green cardamoms and cloves are high in antioxidant agents^[2] [3] that aid in counteracting toxic effects of surrounding heavy dust particles causing detrimental influences to your respiratory system, one to mention is dryness of the throat.

Preparation:

• 5 cups of water
• 2-3 green cardamoms
• 2-3 cloves
• 1 tablespoon of honey (optional)

Direction:

• Cut one side of each cardamom to get the flavor.
• Add water to a pot and boil and add cardamoms and cloves.
• Leave the pot for 2 to 5 minutes on low heat.
• After the amount of liquid reduces by approximately one-third, turn off the heat and strain the tea into a cup.
• Stir in honey if you feel the tea somewhat difficult to enjoy.

2. Fenugreek Seeds

Fenugreek seeds show strong anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antimicrobial properties to combat the activity of microorganisms inside the body resulting in a dry or sore throat^[4].

Direction:

• Place some fenugreek seeds in a water pot.
• Boil it for some minutes and lower the heat and simmer until the solution’s color turns yellow.
• Take the pot off and let it cool.
• Use the solution to gargle twice a day.

3. Garlic

Similar to some other natural ingredients, garlic is also well known for its antibacterial, antimicrobial, and antiseptic properties that help control infections developing in the throat.

Direction:

• Mix a few drops of garlic oil with warm water.
• Use the solution as a natural gargle.
• Do this regularly during the day to entirely get rid of dry throat, mouth, and tongue.

III. Home Remedies For Dry Mouth And Tongue

1. Fennel Seeds

Fennel seeds are rich in flavonoids – a group of plant metabolites that promotes the production of saliva to maintain the humidity of the mouth. Moreover, their featured scent can repel bad breath^[5]. Therefore, fennel seeds have long been a favorite for mouth issues, especially dry mouth. To gain every benefit of fennel seeds, you need to chew around 1 teaspoon of them after meals and continue doing within the 1-week minimum.

2. Celery

Like fennel seeds, celery also contains flavonoids^[6] [7]. Not only that, vitamin C, valuable enzymes, and water content in celery have made it an indispensable ingredient for dryness treatment. Prepare some celery sticks and chew them anytime you are free during the day, and you will soon see amazing changes.

3. Green Tea

Green tea is a panacea for the health if applied properly. It is most notable for its antioxidant and antibacterial compounds that deal with loads of health problems. For example, weight loss, skin care, cholesterol and blood pressure control are all prominent impacts. Also cannot overlook the ability of green tea to relieve dry mouth and tongue as it stimulates the secretion of saliva^[8].

Direction:

• Add 1 teaspoon of dry tea leaves to a cup of boiling water and wait for a few minutes.
• Strain the tea into a glass and drink instantly.
• Repeat the procedure twice or thrice daily.

Remember not to drink more than 3 cups of green tea a day or have it after 4 pm to avoid insomnia. People who are sensitive to caffeine, pregnant and lactating women should not consume too much green tea.

IV. Home Remedies For Dry Throat, Mouth, And Tongue

1. Ginger Tea

Ginger is popular for many health benefits due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory abilities, the presence of therapeutic bioactive compounds such as gingerol, shogaol, paradol, zingerone, and the capacity of vitamin C, potassium, magnesium, copper, manganese^[10]. One of the advantages of ginger is to boost saliva formation to soothe the dry throat and retain a moist fresh mouth.

Direction:

• Slice some fresh ginger thinly, then add to a water pot and bring to a boil.
• Strain the solution, add a tad of honey and drink ginger tea right away.
• Repeat the process two to three times a day.

2. Turmeric Milk

Turmeric contains curcumin, a compound that provides powerful antiseptic and antibacterial abilities^[11]. Turmeric’s components will fight against bacteria causing dry throat, and milk will create a juicy environment in your mouth cavity.

Direction:

• Fill in a pot with a cup of milk, add 1 clove of garlic and boil it.
• Pour the milk into a glass, add a quarter teaspoon of turmeric powder, and stir well.
• Leave the mixture to cool down a little bit and enjoy it.
• You should consume turmeric milk once every day before going to bed for the best result.

3. Honey

Honey is very effective for treating dry or sore throat as it will comfort the irritated lining of the throat with its humectant and moisturizing proficiencies. It also coats a layer over your mouth and tongue to prevent them from drying^[12].

Direction:

• Dissolve 1 tablespoon of raw honey in a cup of warm water.
• Drink the mixture twice a day until the situation gets better.

4. Citrus Juice

Citrus fruits such as lemon, lime, orange, and grapefruit are high in antioxidants exhibited by vitamin C and citric acid, which contribute to the improvement of the immune system^[13], from that, avoid common illnesses such as dry cough, influenza, and cold leading to dry throat. The citric acid also stimulates the activity of salivary glands to battle dry mouth and tongue.

Direction:

• Squeeze juice from any citrus fruit and blend with a cup of water.
• Add honey to the juice if you want.
• Only drink it once a day in a short period as the acidity in the juice may harm your teeth enamel.

5. Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar (ACV) has healing characteristics for inflammations that inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria^[14]. It also balances the pH level inside the oral cavity to keep the mouth neither too dry nor too wet.

Direction:

• Mix 1 teaspoon of ACV with a cup of warm water thoroughly.
• Drink or gargle with it every day to get relief from the dryness.

6. Slippery Elm Bark

Slippery elm bark is usually used for diverse health issues because it contains healing properties. The bark consists of a gel-like substance so-called mucilage that coats the oral and throat mucosa to ease dryness^[15].

Remedy 1: Slippery Elm Bark Paste For Dry Mouth And Tongue

• Mix half a teaspoon of slippery elm bark powder with some drops of water to form a thick paste.
• Spread the paste inside your mouth and over your tongue, leave it there for a couple of minutes, and then rinse off with water.
• Apply every morning.

Remedy 2: Slippery Elm Bark Tea For Dry Throat

• Boil 2 cups of water and add 1 teaspoon of slippery elm bark.
• Allow it to sit for 5 to 10 minutes.
• Strain the tea and drink it after cooling 2 to 3 times a day.
• You can add honey to the tea to taste.

7. Saline Water Gargle

This is one of the easiest home remedies for dry throat, mouth, and tongue. The antiseptic and antimicrobial properties^[16] [17] of salt help clean out microbial infections in the oral cavity. Salt water will extract all the mucus and phlegm from the throat, at the same time hydrate and saturate the mouth to obviate dryness. You just need to dissolve 1 teaspoon of refined salt in a cup of warm water, gargle with that solution for a minute, and then spit out totally. Reduplicate once in the morning and once in the evening.

8. Yogurt

Yogurt has moisturizing and anti-inflammatory effects, which help treat dry throat, mouth, and tongue as it will form a thin damp layer over the mucosa in the oral cavity^[18]. Yogurt is also a host of minerals and nutrients that are beneficial for the digestive tract. For the best outcome, have 1 to 2 yogurt bowls a day after meals. Do not eat yogurt when you are hungry because the acid will adversary affect your stomach.

9. Aloe Vera

Aloe vera has limitless advantages with regards to health and beauty^[19]. It has both healing and cooling possibilities to soothe the dry throat and is capable of boosting saliva production to moisturize the mouth and tongue^[20].

Remedy 1: Aloe Vera Juice For Dry Throat

• Peel an aloe vera leaf to take its gel.
• Pack the gel on a soft cloth and squeeze out the juice.
• You can drink aloe vera juice directly or dilute it with the same quantity of water.
• Consume once a day.

Remedy 2: Aloe Vera Gel For Dry Mouth And Tongue

• Put the aloe vera gel on such a large cotton pad that can cover your inner mouth.
• Leave the cotton pad inside for a few minutes and rinse off with water.
• You must do this at least 3 times a day to receive an optimum result.

V. Tips To Prevent Dry Throat, Mouth, And Tongue:

If you do not want to face this annoying trouble, or if you are willing to prevent it from recurring, keep in mind the bellowing tips:

• Have a sufficient amount of liquid intake every day.
• Stop smoking and drinking alcohol.
• Build a habit of breathing through your nose only.
• Pick up a humidifier.
• Do not use a mouthwash made of alcohol and try one designed for dry throat and mouth instead.
• Serve more types of food that help with salivary glands stimulation.
• Supplement your meal broth or soup beside of dry food.

All contents provided are for informational & educational purposes. We recommend you consult a healthcare professional to determine which method is appropriate for you. You should also see a doctor if your symptoms last longer and do not show a substantial recuperation after following the remedies. For any question and experience about treating dry throat, mouth, and tongue, please leave a comment in the box at the end of the article. For more knowledge of other remedies that you can simply perform at home, visit our main Home Remedies page.

Read more: Top 12 Effective Treatments For Oral Thrush In Adults And Babies. This article was medically reviewed/fact checked by Sarah Brewer MSc, MA (Cantab), MB, BChir, RNutr, MBANT, CNHC.