8 Sore-Throat Soothers

Slippery-Elm Lozenges

Try them when: Your throat is red and feels raw.

How they work: The powdered bark of the tree keeps your throat moist, which eases the discomfort brought on by inflammation. Try Thayers Sugar Free Slippery Elm Lozenges ($12, thayers.com), which are free of lactose. That’s important, says Finkelstein, because dairy ingredients may stimulate pain-inducing inflammation.

Good to know: Some slippery-elm lozenges are combined with vitamin C, which some studies have shown to reduce a cold’s duration, including scratchy throats. (Thayers lozenges fit this bill.) As with zinc lozenges, check with your doctor before using.