Sore throat? Don’t suck yourself “silly” on conventional lozenges!

For most people the onset of autumn signals the beginning of a string of colds, coughs and sore throats. I am no exception, so October marked my catarrhal debut of 2007. Believing in the body’s ability to heal itself, I initially gave my sore throat the cold shoulder. Yet after a week of no acoustic improvement, I reluctantly headed to the local chemist – only to give myself a sore head to boot at the sight of the chemical concoctions on offer:
Every single brand of lozenge contained a poisonous mix of artificial colours, E numbers and suspect synthetic ingredients, which have been associated with a number of adverse effects on human health, most notably hyperactivity in children.

Strepsils, probably the most widely sold lozenge brand, was amongst the worst offenders. Depending on their flavour, the poison pills contain the synthetic azo dyes Quinoline Yellow (E104), Sunset Yellow (E110), Carmoisine (E122), Ponceau 4R (E124), Patent Blue V (E131) and Indigo Carmine (E132). All of these have been shown to cause hyperactive behaviour in children, especially when combined with the preservative sodium benzoate. Patent Blue V, Indigo Carmine, Carmoisine and Ponceau 4R have also been found to cause allergic reactions, itching and increased skin sensitivity, whilst Sunset Yellow has been linked to gastric upsets.
Strepsils Orange &Vitamin C, Extra Blackcurrant and Extra Citrus flavoured lozenges add a further dimension by throwing propylene glycol into the chemical cocktail – a substance widely used as a moisture-carrying vehicle in cosmetics. Even as a cosmetic ingredient propylene glycol is controversial as it increases the permeability of the skin and allows chemicals to enter deeper into the body’s system. Not surprisingly, it is being increasingly substituted with other “safer” glycols (if such things do exist!) in cosmetics, so what this stuff is doing in edible products is anyone’s guess. To add insult to injury, Strepsils sugar-free range also contains the artificial sweetener and known carcinogen saccharin (E954).

No better were other well-known brands. Here an overview of harmful ingredients found in common lozenge brands.

Acesulfamate-K: controversial artificial sweetener and suspected carcinogen
Found in: Bradosol

Allura Red (E129) *: can also lead to hypersensitivity in allergy sufferers
Found in: Fisherman’s Friend (cherry flavour), Halls, Tunes

Aspartame: a controversial artificial sweetener, which is possibly connected to brain tumours and reportedly lowers the acidity of urine, thereby making the urinary tract more prone to infection.
Found in: Olbas, Fisherman’s Friend (cherry flavour), Halls

Benzoin: a widely used flavouring, which may be mutagenic (i.e. can possibly cause mutations or damage to genes).
Found in: Zubes

Brilliant Black (E151) *
Found in: Halls Throaties, Vocalzone

Brilliant Blue (E133) *
Found in: Halls, Tunes

Carmoisine (E122) * ♦
Found in: Lockets, Halls Throaties, Strepsils

Indigo Carmine (E132) * ♦
Found in: Bradosol, Merocaine, Strepsils

Monopropylene glycol (see propylene glycol)
Found in: Lockets

Patent Blue V (E131) * ♦
Found in: Lockets, Strepsils

Ponceau 4R (E124) * ♦
Found in: Strepsils

Propylene Glycol: A petroleum-based solvent, which can cause skin irritation and contact dermatitis, and skin penetration enhancer, altering the skin structure and allowing chemicals to penetrate deeper into the skin and enter the blood stream.
Found in: Strepsils Orange &Vitamin C, Extra Blackcurrant and Extra Citrus

Quinoline Yellow (E104) *: Quinoline Yellow has been banned in some countries, for example the USA and Japan, yet is still widely used in the UK.
Found in: Bradosol, Strepsils, Merocet, Merocaine

Silicone antifoam: a control agent to eliminate foam (yes, foam!) in pharmaceutical and food preparation processes as well as in detergents, cleaners, polishes and paints. It is generally composed of silicone fluid and silica. The latter may be contaminated with crystalline quartz, which is carcinogenic.
Found in: Olbas

Sodium saccharin/Saccharin (E954): artificial sweetener and suspected carcinogen
Found in: Halls Throaties, sugar-free Strepsils

Sunset Yellow (E110) *: can also cause gastric upsets
Found in: Strepsils, Merocet

* associated with hyperactivity in children
♦ can also cause allergic reactions, itching and increased skin sensitivity


In no way inclined to suck myself “silly” and further weaken my already battered immune system by ingesting technicolour froth suppressors, I went back home empty-handed and started to look into more natural alternatives. What I found was that my grandmother had got it right all along – here are some “sucking good” ideas:


Alternative and Natural Cold and Sore Throat Relief

Eat well: meaning eat nutritiously, not gorge yourself! Eat food that is rich in immune system-boosting vitamins and minerals and energy-giving carbs to keep your body temperature up.
Echinacea: strengthens the body’s defence mechanism against viral and bacterial attacks. Available as tea, pills or tinctures.
Essential oils: Sniff yourself healthy with essential oils of lavender, thyme, eucalyptus, sage and sandalwood. All you need is an oil burner.
Gargle: with a mixture of water and salt – and gag yourself healthy! This washes away mucous and enables better circulation of infection-fighting antibodies. Alternatively, use sage or thyme infusions, which are also tastier (see Sage and Thyme).
Garlic: has antibacterial properties and boosts the immune system. Repel vampires and unwanted suitors at the same time! Use fresh as a cooking ingredient or get odour-free capsules from a health food store.
Ginger: antiviral, antiseptic, pain-relieving and antioxidative. Readily available as tea or tinctures. Alternatively, soak fresh ginger in hot water and drink or include fresh ginger in cooked dishes.
Herbal pastilles: available in most health food stores. My personal favourites are A.Vogel’s Santasapina Lozenges with honey, extracts from the shoots of spruce, menthol and peppermint oil – stocked by Revital.
Honey: soothes the throat. Add to herbal tea or warm water with lemon (see Hot Lemon & Honey).
Hot baths: help the old aching and shivering limbs relax.
Hot Lemon & Honey: Honey is renowned for its soothing effect on the throat, whilst lemon contains stacks of vitamin C. However, since heat kills vitamin C, the overall effect of this old favourite is debatable. In any case, it’s a nice and sweet winter warmer.
Humidifiers: If the air in your room is very dry, use a humidifier, which can be a simple bowl of water placed above the radiator. Alternatively, use an oil burner and kill two coughs with one sneeze by inhaling essential oils (see Essential oils).
Keep warm: Forego the crop top or biceps-flashing wife beater in favour of a good old woolly jumper, so your body temperature doesn’t drop.
Liquorice: anti-inflammatory expectorant which soothes coughs and sore throats. Either suck liquorice sticks or drink liquorice tea, which you can buy ready-made. If you want to make your own, put a teaspoon of liquorice root in a cup of hot water for three to five minutes. Add honey if you like.
Sage: one of the oldest herbal remedies for sore throats and oral infections due to its antiseptic and antibacterial properties. Make an infusion with fresh or dried sage leaves or get ready-made tea.
Sleep: Many colds, especially recurring ones, are due to stress and lack of sleep. Great excuse!
Thyme: has antiseptic properties. Make a tea by crushing fresh or dried thyme leaves and add water cooled to just below boiling. Cover and leave to infuse for five minutes and add honey to taste. Can also be used for gargling.
Vitamin C: An orange a day keeps the doctor away – but pineapple, grapes, apples and especially peppers (!) are also good sources of vitamin C. Alternatively, take vitamin supplements, though they are not as readily absorbed by the body as the real McCoy!
Zinc lozenges: boost the immune system. Available in all sorts of variations in health food stores.
© Manuela Hübner, 2008