Homemade Remedy for Tonsillitis

Tonsils are little pads located on each side at the back of the throat. When they become infected (red, swollen or surface white spots), it is called tonsillitis. The infection makes swallowing painful and can cause an elevated temperature. Tonsillitis is most often a childhood disease but does occur in adults. Sufferers will go to great lengths for relief, and there are several home remedies to ease the throat pain.

Home Remedies for Tonsillitis

• Most cases of tonsillitis are caused by viral infections such as a cold or flu and will eventually go away; however, there can be several uncomfortable days with a severe sore throat before the body fights off the virus. There are many medications available that claim to ease sore throat pain, but most homes have substances available that can be used in lieu of expensive over-the-counter potions.

  Home remediess are much the same as for any other type of viral infection -- eat proper foods, drink plenty of fluids, get lots of rest, take acetaminophen or ibuprofen for pain relief, and humidify to eliminate dryness. However, there are a few remedies that are specific for a sore throat or tonsillitis:

  Gargle warm salt water solution allowing it to rest in the throat as long as possible.

  Mix two teaspoons of honey and the juice of one lemon into a cup of boiling water. Cool the mixture to room temperature, and then sip.

  Drink very cold beverages.

  Suck on hard candy or throat lozenges.

  Drink beverages made from carrots, beets or cucumbers either individually or in a mixture.

  Create a fenugreek gargle by simmering 2 tbsp. of fenugreek seeds in a quart of water for a half hour. Strain the mixture and gargle after it cools to room temperature.

  Boil a mixture of 8 oz. of milk, a pinch of turmeric powder and a pinch of pepper. Cool the mixture and drink at room temperature or cold before retiring.

  Pour one cup or boiling water over 2 tsp. of dried raspberry leaves, steep for 10 minutes, strain, cool, and gargle.

  Mix 1 tsp. of sage into 1 cup of boiling water, steep for 10 minutes, strain, add 1 tsp.of cider vinegar and 1 tsp. of honey. Gargle four times a day.

  Squeeze a fresh lime into a glass of warm water; add 4 tsp. of honey, 1/4 tsp. salt, and sip slowly.

Cautions

• Most cases of tonsillitis are caused by a virus, but they can be caused by a bacterial infection. Tonsillitis caused by the streptococci bacteria is also called strep throat and can have serious complications. Although home remedies may ease the sore throat pain, they are usually not effective against bacterial infections.

  Viral and bacterial infections are not the only possible causes of sore throat pain, and a severe sore throat should not be taken lightly. A physician should be consulted if the pain lasts for more than three days, the lymph nodes on the neck become sore, or the temperature rises above 103 degrees F. If the doctor discovers a bacterial infection, antibiotics are generally prescribed; however, other findings may indicate more serious problems and result in a different treatment regimen.