How to beat sore throats naturally

Do you remember your father sucking on Allenbury’s Pastilles for a sore throat? Or your Granny offering you a fruity blackcurrant 'sweet' for your strained voice? You may even have one of the decorative gold tins still, now packed with pins.

But did you know that you can still buy those blackcurrant throat pastilles that were so popular when you were a child? Well, they’re still available now and since 1974, when Allenbury’s were bought by the Swiss company Doetsch Grether, the pastilles have been called Grether’s Pastilles.

The name might be different and the tins may have changed slightly but inside they are the same blackcurrant and glycerine pastilles, made in the same traditional way using the original tried and tested recipe since 1850. Made with only the very best natural ingredients for an intense fruity taste they are packed with soothing goodness, to help ease your sore throat and prevent dryness.

The natural blackcurrant juice in each pastille provides Vitamin C and the antioxidant Beta Carotene, both good for fighting off colds. Blackcurrant juice is also thought to be anti-inflammatory so it could help to calm your sore throat. The juice is mixed with plant glycerine, which helps to coat your vocal cords with a protective film and could also encourage saliva production, which is helpful if you suffer with a dry mouth.

Grether’s Pastilles rely on natural ingredients, there are no artificial colours or flavourings so each pastille is unique and has its own special flavour and sweetness, depending which bush the fruit came from. They’re also matured for three full months before they head to the shelves. Just like in wine making, this process develops their intense and fruity flavour. Grether’s are now also available sugar-free, so they’re good for your teeth and are suitable for diabetics.

There are lots of people that prefer to take the traditional route when it comes to protecting their voices, even celebrities, with the likes of Michael Palin, Bette Midler, Katy Perry and Gwyneth Paltrow all rumoured to swear by Grether’s Pastilles. So keep your throat tickle free and avoid getting hoarse with Grether’s Pastilles this winter.

A fine history...

You can trust in the history of Grether’s made the same way since 1850. It’s just the tins that have changed slightly.

1850.– The Koh-I-Noor diamond is presented to Queen Victoria. Allenbury’s Pastilles were first made by Allen & Hanburys Ltd.

1910.– Almost 300 suffragettes clash with police outside the Houses of Parliament. The golden tin box of the Allenbury’s Pastilles becomes increasingly popular across Europe and is sold for the first time in Switzerland.

1930.– Amy Johnson becomes the first woman to fly solo from the UK to Australia. Swiss company Doetsch Grether love the pastilles so much they acquire the distribution rights for Allenbury’s Pastilles in Switzerland.

1974.– The BBC creates Ceefax and MacDonald’s opens its first restaurant in the UK. Doetsch Grether fully acquires the Allenbury’s brand and changes the name to Grether’s Pastilles.

1990.– Nelson Mandela is freed from prison. Grether’s introduce the ‘sugar free’ range of pastilles.

To order Grether's Pastilles, call 0121 444 6585 (lines open Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm) or visit www.wellbeing-uk.com