Leading a natural, organic lifestyle is one of the best ways to take control of your health – the less pesticides in your body, the healthier you are. However, following a healthy regimen won’t always prevent you from catching a cold – sore throat, cough, runny nose. When you feel the burning, scratchy sore throat, turn to natural ways to alleviate and soothe the pain, since most sore throats are viral and antibiotics won’t help.

The average sore throat typically lasts about a week, with a cough lasting even longer, so sufferers should try the following natural remedies to tame an inflamed throat:

Gargle with warm salt water to help diminish the pain of a sore throat by reducing the swelling and soothing the tissues in the throat. Plus, gargling washes away any mucus coating it. Mix a teaspoon of salt with an eight-ounce glass of warm water and gargle every three to four hours.

A humidifier or vaporizer will keep your throat moist by adding moisture to the air. The drier the air, the worse the discomfort may be. If you don’t have one of these, just steam up the bathroom by starting a hot shower and breathing in the air.

Suck on Organix Organic Cough and Sore Throat Drops, which contain pectin and menthol made from organic peppermint oil, a tasty way to help suppress a cough, soothe a sore throat and cool nasal passages. Organix is the first over-the-counter cough and sore throat drop certified USDA Organic.

Drink hot teas and broth-based soups to ease the pain of a sore throat while keeping the throat hydrated. Add a little garlic and onion for anti-viral benefits.

Eat fruits packed with vitamin C, such as pineapple, oranges, lemons and limes, which will help speed up the healing time of a sore throat.

Honey is thick enough to coat and soothe the throat. Add it to a glass of hot tea, or juice three lemons into a glass, adding a tablespoon of honey and swallowing a tablespoon of the mixture every three or four hours.

Rest your voice.