If you have a sore throat – blow your nose....

Sore throat season is upon us – and there are a few things you can do to soothe them without medicine:

• Blow your nose. Sore throats only get worse from postnasal drip or from sleeping with your mouth open due to congestion.

• Gargling really helps. You have a few options here. Warm salt water, herb tea and Listerine will all provide a little relief.

• Drink cider vinegar. Add 1 tablespoon to 8 ounces of hot water with some honey. If you don’t have the cider, you can use a shot of lemon or lime juice.

• Suck on garlic. It’s an Amish remedy. Slice a fresh clove in half and tuck one in each cheek. It releases allicin, a chemical that helps to kill the bacteria that causes strep.