6 gargles for a sore throat (and when to do it)

Gargling warm water with salt, baking soda, vinegar, chamomile or arnica are easy to prepare at home and great for relieving a sore throat because they have bactericidal, antimicrobial and disinfectant action, helping to eliminate microorganisms that can aggravate inflammation.

Gargling regularly when you have a sore throat helps to complement the treatment recommended by your doctor, which normally involves the use of anti-inflammatory medications such as Ibuprofen or Nimesulide, for example.

Additionally, there are some teas and juices with anti-inflammatory properties that can be used as home remedies to alleviate discomfort. Check out some options for teas and juices for sore throats.

The following are some of the best-proven gargles to soothe a sore throat:

1. Warm salt water

Add 1 tablespoon of salt to 1 glass of warm water and mix well until the salt is imperceptible. Then, take a good sip of water in your mouth and gargle for as long as you can, spitting out the water afterwards. Repeat the procedure 2 more times in a row.

2. Chamomile tea

Place 2 teaspoons of chamomile leaves and flowers in 1 cup of boiling water and keep in a covered container for at least 10 minutes. Strain, let it cool and gargle for as long as possible, spitting out the tea and repeating 2 more times. It is recommended to make a new tea every time you gargle.

3. Baking soda

Add 1 teaspoon of baking soda to 1 cup of warm water and stir well until the baking soda is completely dissolved. Take a sip, gargle for as long as you can and spit, repeating twice in a row.

4. Apple cider vinegar

Add 4 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar to 1 cup of warm water and gargle for as long as possible, then spit out the solution.

5. Peppermint tea

Mint is a medicinal plant that contains menthol, a substance with anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antiviral properties that can help relieve a sore throat, as well as helping to treat a possible infection.

To use this gargle, you must make peppermint tea by adding 1 tablespoon of fresh mint leaves with 1 cup of boiling water. Then you should wait 5 to 10 minutes, let it cool and use the tea to gargle throughout the day.

6. Arnica tea

Place 1 teaspoon of dried arnica leaves in 1 cup of boiling water and leave covered for at least 10 minutes. Strain, let it cool and gargle for as long as possible, then spit out the tea. Repeat 2 more times.

When to do

Gargling should be done at least twice a day while symptoms persist. If there is pus in the throat, it is possible that there is a bacterial infection and, in this case, it is recommended to consult a doctor to assess the need for taking an antibiotic. Find out what could be causing your sore throat.

When it is not recommended

Children under 6 years of age may not be able to gargle correctly, with the risk of swallowing the solution, which may increase discomfort, which is why it is not recommended for children under 5 years of age. Elderly people and people with difficulty swallowing may also have difficulty gargling, which is contraindicated.