In this condition, the tonsils inflame and cause sharp pain. Tonsils are a pair of lymphatic tissue organs which the body uses in its defense mechanism. Inflamed tonsils usually occur as a result of a throat infection, like strep throat. It can be relieves greatly using home remedies. These remedies are aimed to provide relief from the pain, inflammation and difficulty in swallowing food. Tonsillitis usually recovers on its own in most people in less than a week.
Tonsillitis is a painful condition. The pain slowly builds up in the throat, neck and jaw. It becomes very difficult to chew and swallow food. In some people, even drinking water becomes too painful.
The pain, inflammation, sore throat and general weakness can all be improved to a great extent by using home remedies that are completely natural.
3. Salt Water GargleIf you don't like the taste of alum gargle, then try salt gargle. It is nothing but regular salt in water used as gargle. Warm a glass of water and add 1 teaspoon of salt. Gargle with this water slowly and do not swallow. Salt is an antibiotic. It helps the body in killing the infection, which is so helpful.
4. Pure HoneyTaking raw, organic honey is awesome for any throat complaint. It is soothing and helps alleviate itching and irritation. Take 1 tablespoon of honey 3 times a day. This can help a lot with the sore throat and inflamed tonsils. Honey is a demulcent. It coats the throat and protects it from further damage. It is also an antibiotic [3]. It kills many strains of bacteria, viruses and fungi.
5. Oil Pulling with Coconut OilOf all the oils one can use for oil pulling, coconut oil definitely tastes the best. In case of tonsillitis, it helps a lot. Take about 2 tablespoon of coconut oil and warm it up to turn it into liquid. Then put it in your mouth and swish it around. Try not to ingest the oil, because then you may have vomiting, especially if this is the first time you are doing oil pulling. Experienced people are accustomed to this practice and do not feel nauseous. Coconut oil contains very powerful antibacterial [4], antiviral and perhaps the most powerful anti-fungal nutrients. It can really kill pathogens much more effectively than many other natural foods. Coconut oil helps to get rid of the throat infection that is causing tonsillitis. It also reduces inflammation and the irritated skin of the palate.
6. Warm Lime JuiceThe tangy juice of limes is very helpful in case of tonsillitis. By adding a little salt, it becomes a highly effective remedy for inflamed tonsils.
- IngredientsLime Juice
Water
Salt
- Directions / How to useTake half a glass of lime juice. Add half a glass of warm water and 1/4 tablespoon salt. Mix it up and drink it. Lime juice is tart and it stimulates the tonsils. They may feel itchy or more swollen. However, the pain subsides after some time.
- Why it works ?It just seems to work for so many people.
7. Apple Cider Vinegar SwishThis "extremely useful" household ingredient comes in handy in case of tonsillitis as well.Take about 2 tablespoon of ACV and gargle with it.Spit it out after the gargle. ACV acts as an antiseptic and anti-inflammatory in reducing the inflammation of tonsils. ACV also helps in preventing the formation of
tonsil stones ( tonsilloliths ).
8. Beet JuiceDrink about
1 oz of beet juice. This is really powerful ingredient for the body. It boosts the immune system performance and improves the health of the throat. Beets are traditionally used in Russia to treat tonsillitis. If you find pure beet juice too strong, then add the juice of about 5 - 6 carrots to the juice of 1 beet. Carrot makes the juice taste much better.
9. Turmeric MilkThis famous and extremely common Indian remedy can be used to alleviate pain and inflammation anywhere in the body.
- IngredientsTurmeric ( organic )
Milk ( preferably non pasteurized )
- Directions / How to useBoil milk. Then add a pinch of turmeric. Stir it with a spoon and then drink it when warm. It should be taken preferably at night.
- Why it works ?Turmeric has fantastic anti inflammatory power [5]. It is also an analgesic (pain reliever ) and an antiseptic.
10. Warm Tomato SoupA tomato is soothing as well as stimulating for the throat. One should add herbs and spices to flavor the soup and make it more palatable. The person suffering from tonsillitis would be having less interest in food, so it should really be delicious.Prepare your tomato soup with onion powder, garlic powder, thyme and some condiments. Drink it warm. It is very soothing for your inflamed throat.
11. Eat PineappleIt may hurt a lot, but pineapple is a wonderful cleanser of the mouth.Eating raw pineapple allows the juices to stay longer in the mouth. One can experience a cleansed, fresher sensation in the mouth. It may sting the inflamed tonsil, but it is effectively cleansing out the exudate from the infection. This prevents the infection from worsening. Did you know that pineapple is strongly anti-inflammatory [6]. It improves the activity of turmeric through synergy between
curcumin ( from turmeric ) and bromelain ( from pineapple ).
12. Eucalyptus Essential OilDiffuse the aroma of eucalyptus essential oil in your house. For this, one can use a vaporizer, humidifier or an oil burner. Put 6 - 8 drops of oil in any of these devices, and the air smells of eucalyptus.This is very helpful for the tonsillitis patient. When this air enters our bodies, it kills many bacteria and viruses [7]. Eucalyptus oil is excellent for throat and sinus infections.
13. GarlicOne of the most formidable
natural antibiotics is garlic. It is capable of killing numerous strains of bacteria, viruses, fungi, protozoa and even worms [8]. One can include garlic easily in diet. For example, you could add garlic to the tomato soup mentioned above. Garlic aids the body n clearing any infection faster. As a result, the driving force behind tonsillitis becomes weak. The body then quickly puts an end to inflammation. If you don't like raw garlic, you can sautee it in olive oil to mask the smell.
14. Dried Figs Do you love to eat figs, especially dried figs ? Well, you may not have known that it is an excellent remedy for inflamed tonsils. Since dried figs require lots of chewing to be done, we decide to stew them.
- IngredientsDried figs
Honey
- Directions / How to useStew a handful of figs by simmering them in hot water for about half an hour. Strain out the water and mash the stewed figs. Let it cool a bit. Add equal amount of honey and eat this mixture slowly. If it is painful to chew, just gulp it down. It tastes delicious and provides lot of relief from sore throat and inflammation of the tonsils.
15. Opt for a Liquid DietOn a more broader note, it is better to juice cleanse your body when you are suffering from tonsillitis. It is a pain to chew up and swallow food. So, why not drink a copious amount of juice. It will cleanse the body and provide lots of nutrition as well. You can look up liquid diet recipes so that you get all the nutrients in a balanced amount.
16. Fenugreek Seeds Gargle This is one of the most powerful natural remedies for tonsillitis. Fenugreek seeds first need to softened up by soaking in water overnight. Then boil them in water and simmer over moderate heat for about 20 minutes. Strain this liquid and let it cool till it is lukewarm. Gargle with this water. It shortens recovery time from tonsillitis. Fenugreek seeds are strongly antibacterial, which makes them so effective in treating a throat infection.
Precautions
Although home remedies can provide lots of relief and comfort in this condition, there are certain issues which need to be taken care of.
If there is swelling on the outside of your neck or other red flag symptoms like abscessed tonsils, high fever, then should not rely on home remedies and rush to a doctor instead.
In severe cases, tonsillitis may require surgery. It is important that you take good care of your health and do things that boost your immunity. If the immunity is robust, then frequent tonsillitis will not occur.
References1. Symptoms of tonsillitis - NHS
2. Tonsillitis - NCBI.
3. Honey: its medicinal property and antibacterial activity Manisha Deb Mandal and Shyamapada Mandal
4. Novel antibacterial and emollient effects of coconut and virgin olive oils in adult atopic dermatitis. Verallo-Rowell VM, Dillague KM, Syah-Tjundawan BS.
5. Anti-inflammatory properties of curcumin, a major constituent of Curcuma longa: a review of preclinical and clinical research. Jurenka JS.
6. Dietary supplementation with fresh pineapple juice decreases inflammation and colonic neoplasia in IL-10-deficient mice with colitis.Hale LP, Chichlowski M, Trinh CT, Greer PK.
7. Antibacterial activity of the essential oils from the leaves of Eucalyptus globulus against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. Raho G Bachir and M Benali
8. Antimicrobial activity of garlic against oral streptococci. Groppo FC, Ramacciato JC, Motta RH, Ferraresi PM, Sartoratto A.