[header] How to cure a sore throat (salt water method ) [title] Decide what to gargle with. [step] Most people choose to simply stir one teaspoon of table or sea salt into eight ounces of warm water. The salt draws water out of the swollen tissues, reducing swelling. 
If you can deal with a bad taste, consider adding your teaspoon of salt to a mixture of equal parts warm water and apple cider vinegar. Though there's no clear explanation for it, apple cider vinegar seems more effective than other vinegars at soothing sore throats.