Are you suffering from a sore throat? Is your throat painful, especially while swallowing? If your answer is yes, you could be suffering from tonsillitis. And tonsillitis can affect anyone from a teenager to an adult, sparing none the misery of a painful throat!
The human body is the perfect machinery. It has its own defense system that helps it fight pathogens and infections. The tonsils, located at the back of your mouth are part of the body’s defense mechanism. They prevent bacteria and viruses from reaching the respiratory tract by trapping them. These hardworking tonsils sometimes get infected by the same pathogens that they trap, causing these almond-shaped organs to get inflamed. This causes pain and discomfort, particularly while swallowing.
While tonsillitis is more prevalent amongst school-going children, it can also occur in adults. This infection can be acute and has a tendency to recur. As a result, many kids often suffer from chronic tonsillitis. If the tonsils are surgically removed to prevent chronic tonsillitis, the person can become more susceptible to infections. That is why if your tonsils are painful and infected, it is best to opt for home remedies. In fact, with proper care and home remedies for tonsillitis, you will not require medical treatment.
Are You Suffering from Tonsillitis?
Before you try tonsillitis home remedies, it is important to know the symptoms. Understanding the symptoms will give you peace of mind and help you to start using the home remedies as soon as possible.
Symptoms of tonsillitis include the following:
Tonsillitis Home Remedies
There are numerous remedies for tonsillitis and most of
them require common ingredients available in most
kitchens. Some of these home remedies have been in
use since centuries and have proven their ability to
alleviate the symptoms of tonsillitis.
1. Saltwater Gargle:
Nothing is more soothing than a saltwater gargle. In a glass of hot water, dissolve a teaspoon of salt. Gargle with it and spit out the water. This home remedy for tonsillitis has been used for centuries to provide relief from throat pain and swelling. It also helps to cleanse the mouth, preventing the infection on the surface of your tonsils from getting worse.
2. Apple Cider Vinegar:
Many people drink apple cider vinegar on a daily basis for health reasons. If you are one of those, you should have no qualms about gargling with it. Dilute a little bit of the vinegar with warm water and gargle several times a day. It will help alleviate the swelling and pain. It also helps to clear the infection.
3. Chamomile Tea:
When you have tonsillitis, a soothing cup of herbal tea can do wonders for your throat. Brew the tea and be sure to keep it covered, so that the essential oils do not evaporate. Add a little honey and a squeeze of lime. The chamomile will reduce the pain, while the honey’s antiseptic properties will clear the infection and soothe your throat.
4. Bee Propolis:
This is a resinous substance that honeybees collect. It is labelled as a superfood and is available in the form of a tincture or spray. You can use it when your tonsils are infected to get relief from the pain and hasten the healing. If using a spray, direct it onto the tonsils and surrounding areas. In case you are using the tincture, add a few drops into a little bit of water and use the mixture for gargling several times a day.
5. Onion:
The smelly onion has many health benefits and one of them is treating tonsillitis. Extract two tablespoons of juice from an onion and mix with a glass of lukewarm water. Use this water for gargling several times a day. While you could be an onion breath, it will definitely ease the discomfort.
6. Ginger:
Extract one tablespoon of juice from fresh ginger root. Add one tablespoon of honey and two tablespoons of warm water. Use this mixture for gargling.
7. Fenugreek Seeds:
Boil two tablespoons of fenugreek seeds in 500 ml water. After the water comes to boil, simmer for about 30 minutes. Strain and use the water to gargle several times a day. Fenugreek seeds have antibacterial properties and will help eliminate the bacteria from the surface of your infected tonsils.
8. Lime Juice:
This is an age old home remedy for tonsillitis. It is also one of the most effective ones. Squeeze a whole lime into a glass of warm water. Add a tablespoon of honey and a pinch of salt. Sip this concoction several times a day to ease the pain and discomfort. The Vitamin Ccontent in the lime will help boost your immunity too.
9. Milk:
Boil a glass of milk and add a pinch of turmeric powder and some ground black pepper. Drink this mixture before you go to sleep. Use this home remedy for three consecutive nights to treat your tonsillitis and get relief from the symptoms.
10. Carrot, Cucumber, and Beetroot:
Take equal quantities of beetroot and cucumber juice and add fresh carrot juice to it. Drink the juice mixture every day until your infection disappears. These veggies are filled with nutrients that boost your immune system and help your body fight the infection. It is best to mix the juices and consume rather than drinking them separately.
11. Fresh Figs:
Boil fresh figs and then make a paste. This can be no doubt added to the list of home remedies for tonsillitis. Apply the paste directly onto your inflamed tonsils. It will help alleviate the pain and ease the redness and soreness.
12. Alum:
In the good old days, before water purification plants made an appearance, alum was used to disinfect drinking water. It can also be used as a home remedy for tonsillitis. Crush the alum into a fine powder. Apply it on to your tonsils. The other method is to dissolve a little alum in some water and use it to gargle. This will ease the swelling and prevent the infection from getting worse.
13. Mint Tea:
Brew some mint tea and sip it. It will soothe your throat and offer relief from the pain. To make the tea more flavorful, add a tablespoon of natural honey. Honey also has antibacterial properties, so it will help fight the infection too.
14. Mustard Powder:
Grind some mustard seeds into powder and mix it into a glass of hot water. Use it to gargle and cleanse your throat. When you use this tonsillitis home remedy, it will help to flush out the germs located on the surface of your tonsils and hasten the healing process.
15. Soups and Broths:
Tonsillitis can make it difficult to eat and swallow. If you are looking for quick and temporary pain relief, consume chicken or vegetable soup. These soups will also help you get important nutrients to boost your immune system. The steam emanating from the soup will ease your nasal congestion as well.
16. Wood Violets:
Also known as sweet violets and banafsha flowers, wood violet flowers make a best home remedy for tonsillitis. Mix the flowers into a little bit of milk; melt some clarified butter (ghee) in a pan and add the flower and milk mixture into it. Allow it to cool, so that you can touch the mixture without burning your fingers. Apply a thin coat of this unique mixture directly onto your inflamed tonsils. It will provide relief and reduce the inflammation. Alternatively, you can boil the flowers and milk for about 15 minutes. Strain and drink it while the milk is still hot.
17. Lemon:
Slice a lemon into half. On one half, sprinkle salt and ground black pepper liberally. Use a spoon to drive the salt and pepper into the lemon. Hold the lemon over flames using tongs until the piece gets warm. Keep licking it until there is no more juice left in the lemon. It will help soothe your throat and also provide Vitamin C to your body to boost your immunity.
18. Epsom Salts:
Draw a bath with warm water and add Epsom salts to it. Be liberal. Soak in this warm water. Make sure your throat is in the water when you are in the bathtub. It will soothe your throat and decongest your nasal passages.
19. Oregano:
This herb is known to have antiseptic properties, so can be used as a home remedy for treating tonsillitis. Add some dried or fresh oregano into warm water. Allow it to steep for 10 to 15 minutes. Strain and drink the oregano tea. It will help soothe your throat and provide relief from the discomfort.
20. Mustard Seeds, Horseradish Seeds, Flaxseed, Barley, Radish Seeds and Jute Seeds:
While this may come across as a strange home remedy for tonsillitis, you can rest assured knowing that it is extremely effective. Take equal quantities of the seeds and grind them into a fine, thick paste. Apply the paste onto your inflamed tonsils and let it stay. It may sting a bit, but will be worthwhile.
21. Water Hyacinth:
If you can lay your hands on some twigs of water hyacinth, it can prove to be a wonderful home remedy for tonsillitis. Burn the twigs until they turn to ash. Now add some mustard oil into the ashes of water hyacinth twigs and apply it on to your tonsils. This home remedy helps to reduce the swelling and inflammation.
22. Ice Cream and Popsicles:
As strange as it may sound, ice cream and popsicles are great for tonsillitis. They ease the itching and pain momentarily and can make you feel better. The cold can numb your tonsils for some time, offering you much-needed relief.
Diet as a Home Remedy for Tonsillitis:
The good news is that tonsillitis is a self-limiting condition and often resolves on its own without the need to visit a doctor. The best way to treat tonsillitis is with the help of home remedies. They provide relief from the pain and itching and also help to reduce the inflammation. It also is recommended to opt for a multi-pronged approach when using home remedies. In other words, use several tonsillitis home remedies at the same time for best results.
A Word of Caution:
If your tonsillitis does not get better with a week of using home remedies, consult your doctor immediately. If your infection is bacterial, it will require antibiotics to clear out and your doctor will know which one to prescribe. Also, if you suffer from chronic tonsillitis, home remedies may not offer anticipated results. You may require surgical removal of your tonsils to prevent chronic infection. Consult your doctor, who is best placed to advise you.
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