Health Tips for Days When You Feel Sick : Relieve a Sore Throat

Your throat aches and you feel full of phlegm, but lozenges and over-the-counter medicines aren't working and out of your budget. You do have a towel and bottle of distilled alcohol.

Sprinkle the towel with the liquor (shochu is a popular Japanese choice) and wrap it around your neck.

When the liquor is applied to the neck and throat it irritates the skin causing an increase in blood flow. This increase in blood will hasten the healing process in much the same way as a fever helps to combat a virus. Just don't ask us to help you when you have to explain the alcohol smells.\