Some home remedies for tonsillitis, such as gargling with warm salt water or drinking fenugreek tea, for example, help to relieve pain and discomfort in the throat as they have anti-inflammatory, antiseptic and antimicrobial effects.
Tonsillitis is an inflammation of the tonsils that usually occurs due to a bacterial or viral infection, causing symptoms such as difficulty swallowing, red and swollen throat, fever or chills. See other symptoms of tonsillitis.
Home remedies for tonsillitis only help to alleviate symptoms and speed up recovery and should not replace the treatment recommended by an otorhinolaryngologist, especially when the sore throat is very severe, is accompanied by pus in the throat and fever or the symptoms do not improve after 2 days.
10 home remedies for tonsillitis
Some home remedies for tonsillitis are:
1. Gargle with warm salt water
Salt is a known natural antimicrobial, that is, it is capable of eliminating various types of microorganisms. This means that when you gargle with salt, you can eliminate excess bacteria that may be causing the tonsil infection.
The temperature of the water is also important, as using water that is too hot or cold can make a sore throat worse.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon of salt;
- ½ glass of warm water.
How to use
Mix the salt in the glass of water until the salt dissolves completely and the mixture becomes clear. Then, put one or two sips in your mouth and, tilting your head back, gargle for about 30 seconds. Finally, pour out the water and repeat until the end of mixing.
This technique is widely used to quickly reduce pain and can be done up to 4 or 5 times a day.
2. Intake of peppermint oil
Peppermint essential oil has anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antiviral action, making it a good option for a home remedy for tonsillitis, as it helps to reduce inflammation and relieve pain, in addition to eliminating excess viruses and bacteria that can be causing the infection.
However, to ingest this oil it is very important to dilute it in another vegetable oil, such as olive oil or coconut oil, for example, to avoid causing any type of burn in the esophagus. Ideally, essential oils should only be ingested under the guidance of a professional in the field, as not all of them can be ingested safely.
Ingredients
- 2 drops of peppermint essential oil;
- 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil (olive, coconut or sweet almond oil).
How to use
Mix the essential oil with a spoonful of vegetable oil and then ingest. This home remedy can be used up to 2 times a day. Higher doses should be avoided, as excessive use of this oil can cause toxic effects.
Since it needs to be ingested, it is also important to choose an essential oil of biological origin and cold pressed, to reduce the chances of ingesting some type of chemical product.
3. Chew a slice of garlic
Chewing a slice of garlic is another very effective homemade way to help treat tonsillitis, as garlic, when chewed, releases a substance known as allicin, which has a strong antimicrobial action, which helps fight various types of infections.
Ingredients
Preparation mode
Peel the garlic clove and then cut a piece. Place in your mouth and suck or chew to release the juice, which is rich in allicin.
Since chewing garlic causes bad breath, you can brush your teeth afterwards to mask the garlic smell. Another option is to add raw garlic to your diet.
4. Gargle with bicarbonate
Another very effective gargle for tonsillitis is gargling with warm water and baking soda. This is because bicarbonate also has great antimicrobial action that helps clear the throat and help treat the infection.
Furthermore, bicarbonate can also be used together with salt, to obtain an even stronger action.
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon of sodium bicarbonate;
- ½ glass of warm water.
Preparation mode
Mix the bicarbonate in the water and then put a sip in your mouth. Tilt your head back and gargle. Finally, pour out the water and repeat until the end.
This technique can be used several times a day or every 3 hours, for example.
5. Fenugreek tea
Fenugreek seeds have antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties that can help greatly in relieving tonsillitis pain, as they soothe the irritation of the tonsils while eliminating excess viruses and bacteria.
Although it is a widely used natural remedy, fenugreek tea should be avoided by pregnant women.
Ingredients
- 1 cup of water;
- 1 tablespoon of fenugreek seeds.
How to use
Add the fenugreek seeds and water in a pan and cook over medium heat for 5 to 10 minutes. Then strain, let cool and drink 2 to 3 times a day.
6. Star anise tea
Star anise tea has antiviral activity due to shikimic acid, a natural substance that is used to combat the flu virus, making it a good option for a home remedy for viral tonsillitis.
Furthermore, this tea is rich in phenolic compounds with antioxidant action that help strengthen the immune system, reducing the symptoms of tonsillitis.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon of star anise;
- 500 mL of boiling water;
- Honey to sweeten (optional).
Preparation mode
Pour boiling water into a cup and add star anise. Cover, let it cool, strain, sweeten with honey and drink afterwards. Drink this tea 3 times a day as long as cold symptoms remain.
This tea should not be used by children, pregnant or breastfeeding women or by people who are allergic to star anise.
7. White willow infusion
White willow infusion, made from the medicinal plant Salix albais rich in salicin, a substance similar to the main ingredient in aspirin, with strong analgesic and anti-inflammatory action.
Therefore, the infusion prepared with white willow bark is a good option for relieving a sore throat caused by tonsillitis.
Ingredients
Preparation mode
Bring the water to a boil and add the willow bark. Let it boil for 10 minutes, strain and drink up to 2 cups a day.
This infusion should not be consumed by children, pregnant or breastfeeding women, people allergic to aspirin or using anticoagulants.
Furthermore, the use of white willow bark infusion is not recommended for people with gastrointestinal problems, such as ulcers, gastritis, gastroesophageal reflux, colitis or diverticulitis.
8. Apple cider vinegar
Apple cider vinegar has antibacterial and antiviral properties that help fight the microorganisms that cause tonsillitis, helping to alleviate it. pain and discomfort in the throat.
Ingredients
- 1 to 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar;
- 1 glass of warm water.
Preparation mode
Add apple cider vinegar to the glass of warm water and mix. Then gargle for 20 to 30 seconds, 2 to 3 times a day. Spit out the solution then.
It is important to wash your mouth with water after gargling with the apple cider vinegar solution and, to prevent tooth enamel wear, you should brush your teeth 30 minutes later.
Apple cider vinegar can also be used throughout the day to season salads, for example.
9. Ginger tea
Ginger tea has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties due to phenolic compounds, such as gingerol, chogaol and zingerone, which help combat the symptoms of tonsillitis.
Furthermore, this tea helps to strengthen the immune system and shorten the duration of tonsillitis. See other benefits of ginger.
Ingredients
- 1 cm of ginger root or ½ teaspoon of powdered ginger;
- 3 cups of water;
- Honey to sweeten (optional).
Preparation mode
Bring the water to a boil and add the ginger. Let it boil for 5 to 10 minutes. Remove the ginger from the cup and drink the tea in 3 to 4 divided doses throughout the day.
This tea should be avoided by people with stomach ulcers or who use anticoagulant medications, as it may increase the risk of bleeding or hemorrhage.
10. Jatobá tea
Jatobá tea, prepared with the medicinal plant Hymenaea courbarilcan be used as a home remedy for tonsillitis, as it has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and expectorant properties, which help to alleviate the symptoms of tonsillitis.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons of Jatobá peels;
- 1 liter of filtered water.
Preparation mode
Add the Jatobá peels to a pan with 1 liter of filtered water and let it boil for 15 minutes. Wait for it to cool, strain and drink up to 3 cups a day.
Jatobá tea should not be used by children, pregnant or breastfeeding women.
