If you suffer from tonsillitis, most doctors will tell you that you have two options; either get them removed or take medication regularly to subside the pain, inflammation, and swelling. Many people opt to remove the tonsils and get rid of all the pain once and for all. However, that might not be a very good idea. Tonsils are very important for our body; they filter out bacteria and germs and save the body from many infectious diseases. Removing them gives the germs and the bacteria an open invitation to attack the body without any hindrance.
Medication, on the other hand, comes with its fair share of side effects. It can weaken your immunity, making you vulnerable to myriads of diseases. Plus, tonsillitis is most common amongst kids, and putting your kids on strong medication can hinder their growth process. Having said that, there many remedies that will help you treat tonsillitis at home. Mentioned below are some of the most famous home remedies for tonsillitis.
Saltwater gargling
This one of the most famous remedies for tonsillitis because it provides instant relief from pain. Warm salt water will not only help soothe your sore throat. It will also help reduce inflammation. All you have to do is take half a teaspoon of salt and add it to a glass of warm water. Now stir the water till the salt dissolves completely. Gargle with the water several times for a few seconds and spit it out. You should repeat the process until you start feeling better.
Just make sure that the water is not too hot because it might make the situation even worse. You also need to keep in mind that gargling is not the best option for kids because there is a risk that they might inhale the liquid and choke.
Drinking Honey Tea
Honey is an excellent remedy for sore throat and inflammation. It is naturally antibacterial which acts as a healing agent for the inflamed tonsils. What makes honey special is its unique ability to fight not only bacterial but also viral infections. You can also add honey to your tea. Honey, combined with the warm tea, will help you get rid of the tickling feeling in the back of your throat.
You can also use honey in combination with black paper; in fact, I would recommend using black pepper with honey because it makes the healing process even faster. The black pepper, combined with the honey, will fight off the bacteria and reduce inflammation in the tonsils within a few minutes. I have to say that honey with black pepper doesn’t really taste that good, but it works like a charm.
Taking good care of your oral hygiene
Some people might brush off the importance of oral hygiene with regards to tonsillitis, but I can assure you that oral hygiene is of great importance. Poor oral hygiene is what causes tonsil stones. If you don’t take good of your oral hygiene, the food particles, mucus, and bacteria will accumulate in small pockets on your tonsils. Over time the pockets of trapped bacteria and debris will result in swelling and soreness of the throat.
So if you’re someone who suffers from tonsillitis, you need to take extra care of your oral hygiene. This doesn’t mean that you should start brushing your teeth every time you eat something; all you need to do is brush your teeth twice a day, once when you get up and once before you go to bed. You also need to floss once a day, preferably before going to bed, but if you like doing it in the morning, there’s nothing wrong with that either.
People who suffer from tonsillitis also tend to suffer from bad breath. But taking good care of your oral hygiene automatically solves that problem.
Chewing Peppermint Leaves
Peppermint is another great hack for tonsils. It has anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antiviral qualities that encourage healing, plus it will freshen your breath. Peppermint contains menthol, which helps make the mucus thinner, soothes the throat, and helps get rid of cough. Most people prefer eating peppermint gum, but you can also chew on peppermint leaves, which will enhance the healing effect considerably.
You can also use peppermint to make tea. Peppermint tea not only helps calm the throat, but it also has an alluring aroma and a refreshing flavor. All you need for this tea is a bunch of peppermint leaves, honey, and fresh lemon. Start by boiling a pot of water, take it off the heat and add around 15 to 20 peppermint leaves, and steep for around 5 to 10 minutes, depending on how intense you want the flavor to be. Now add the honey, squeeze a fresh lemon on top, and your tea is ready.
Eating cold foods
This one might seem counterintuitive but bear with me for a minute. We know that drinking warm liquids like soup and tea can help soothe the throat, but you will be surprised to find out that cold foods can also be beneficial when it comes to tonsillitis. Sipping ice-cold water, sucking on a popsicle, or having ice cream or frozen yogurt can help ease throat pain and reduce inflammation and swelling.
This is a great way to treat your kids, who might not want to take other remedies. Most kids like ice cream, so just give them a bit of ice cream or a chilled beverage; it will temporarily cause a numbing sensation in the throat, causing the swollen tonsils to go back to their normal shape.
Final thoughts:
There are tons of other remedies for tonsillitis but mentioned above are some of the most famous ones that you can try at home. If you’re someone who suffers from tonsillitis, you no longer have to take a trip to the doctor’s; when you feel itching or tickling in the back of your throat, you can just use one of the remedies that I have mentioned and stop it before it gets worse.