Friends, we can find out the beneficial properties of chamomile for sore throat only by understanding what kind of disease it is and how it is generally treated. Let us note right away that medicinal herbs can only be an auxiliary therapy that relieves painful symptoms. If you decide to treat a sore throat exclusively with “traditional methods”, at best you will develop chronic tonsillitis (permanently enlarged tonsils, food particles getting on them, bad breath), at worst – a complication on the heart or kidneys.
How dangerous is angina and how to treat it?
Sore throat, or acute tonsillitis, is a lesion of the upper respiratory tract (lymphatic pharyngeal ring) by a bacterial (in rare cases, viral) infection. The causative agent of the disease is streptococcus (or staphylococcus) - a bacterium resistant to an acidic environment. Not a single medicinal plant contains so many antibacterial elements to fight streptococcus or staphylococcus.
If you are diagnosed with “acute tonsillitis” or tonsillitis, you can only be cured with antibiotics, and in rare cases with antiviral or antifungal drugs.
Ampicillin in various commercial forms is still considered the most effective. If a sore throat is not cured, the bacterium is literally “prescribed” in this area, and at the slightest drop in immunity it immediately makes itself felt with acute pain in the throat. As a result, a person may suffer from this disease several times a year. For example, in the off-season, when the body’s natural protective functions weaken.
The danger of sore throat is that it can provoke diseases such as:
- acute otitis media;
- arthritis;
- sinusitis;
- abscess of the peripharyngeal region;
- laryngitis in acute form;
- meningitis;
- sepsis;
- glomerulonephritis (acute kidney inflammation).
If an infection enters the chest, the heart muscle may be damaged by the waste products of the bacterium.
This information is not needed for fear of the disease, but for common sense in treatment. Sore throat in most cases is caused by microorganisms, which can only be destroyed by the appropriate group of antibiotics. The risks are too high for exclusive herbal treatment.
How to gargle for a sore throat?
The content of the article:
- How and what should you gargle with a sore throat?
- Causes of sore throat
- Symptoms of a sore throat
- How do gargles help with sore throat?
- Basic rules for gargling for adults and children with sore throat
- How can you gargle with a sore throat at home?
- Gargling for a sore throat
- Preventive measures
How and what should you gargle with a sore throat?
Many of us, with a high temperature, weakness in the body and a sore throat, do not immediately turn to the question “What to gargle with a sore throat?” Most often, such symptoms are considered to be a common cold without any thought that it could be a sore throat. However, this is completely wrong, because such spontaneity can greatly negatively affect health and life if a person develops complications of a sore throat.
Causes of sore throat
A sore throat develops as a result of an infectious or inflammatory process that occurs in the tonsils and lymph nodes of the nasopharynx. The infection spreads almost unhindered into the oral cavity through nasal polyps, gum inflammation and deep caries. Often, a sore throat accompanies more serious viral diseases - influenza, typhus or syphilis, as well as an ailment such as streptococci, which become more active in conditions of high humidity, cold and poor nutrition.
Treatment of sore throat, depending on the complexity of the disease, involves taking certain medications for gargling.
Symptoms of a sore throat
In the most common cases, the development of sore throat symptoms manifests itself within 10-48 hours after infection. The standard symptoms of a sore throat include the following:
- formation of purulent plaque on the tonsils;
- headache;
- redness of the throat;
- temperature rise to 38 degrees;
- the appearance of severe sore throat;
- joint weakness;
- feeling of body aches;
- enlarged lymph nodes in the neck and under the lower jaw.
Below are effective options for gargling solutions that will greatly facilitate the treatment process. However, it must be borne in mind that any gargle for a sore throat helps if they are used correctly.
How do gargles help with sore throat?
Any product or solution for gargling for sore throat, when used appropriately, provides:
- reduction of itching and sore throat;
- softening purulent crusts and removing plaque;
- relieving the inflammatory process;
- reduction of symptoms of the disease;
- softening the mucous membrane, which is severely damaged under conditions of infection;
- blocking the development of pathogenic microorganisms;
- healing effect on the mucous membrane;
- accelerating the healing process.
Also, when using a special solution for rinsing the throat and mouth, a person prevents the process of fungal growth in the oral cavity, which occurs as a side effect when taking antibacterial drugs.
However, there are rules that must be followed to gargle effectively. If you ignore them, then this procedure may not only not help, but also have a negative effect in the form of complications.
Basic rules for gargling for adults and children with sore throat
Gargling for a sore throat should be done subject to the following rules:
- Age restrictions must be taken into account. Children under 3 years of age should not rinse as they may choke.
- The temperature of the liquid for effective and safe rinsing should be comfortable, at room temperature. Otherwise, you can get a burn to the mucous membrane, which will cause additional sore throat or negatively affect the immune system.
- Procedures must be carried out regularly. Only with a constant positive effect on the irritated mucous membrane can one hope for a quick and effective recovery. If treatment occurs with the use of medications, then rinsing should be done 3 times a day (more according to the doctor’s recommendations). If the treatment is based on natural herbal infusions, then they can and should be carried out an unlimited number of times.
- Eating is carried out only 30 minutes after rinsing.
- Treatment of herpes sore throat must occur under the supervision of a doctor. The herpes type of sore throat involves the presence of a rash and pustules, so the doctor usually prescribes a course of antibiotics. However, it is highly not recommended to carry out treatment at home without the participation of a doctor.
- A preliminary study of the instructions for each medication is a prerequisite for its use. If treatment is carried out with home remedies, then you need to remember about the presence of individual intolerance to certain components. Pregnant women especially need to be careful when treating sore throat at home.
- For purulent sore throat, it is necessary to gargle with remedies, regardless of their origin, several times. The first portion of the solution is spat out, and subsequent portions linger in the mouth for a short time. This approach will increase the effectiveness of the procedure.
- Gargling for lacunar sore throat must be carried out until the throat is completely healed. The indicator will be complete cleansing of the oral cavity from plaque and fungus. Typically this period is up to 10 days.
By listening to the tips listed above, you can significantly speed up the healing process and protect the body from various complications.
How can you gargle with a sore throat at home?
For sore throat, you can use the following herbs, remedies and gargles:
- Herbal infusions. These are excellent helpers in the fight against sore throat and preventing its development. You can use both single-component infusions and complex formulations that include various herbs. Alcohol-based infusions are prohibited for children under 7 years of age - this must be remembered. Water infusions are safe regardless of age. To prepare a solution of several herbs, you can use the following plants - chamomile, eucalyptus, wormwood, calendula, mallow, sage, elderberry, bay leaf, plantain, linden, aloe, violet and St. John's wort. It is most beneficial to use fresh herbs for infusion, but dried ones will also give positive results. To prepare, you need to pour 200 grams of the plant with boiling water (2 liters), cover with a lid and let it brew. It must be used when the liquid reaches room temperature. The prepared volume is enough for about 5 rinsing procedures.
- Propolis. A gargle is easy to prepare at home, but is very effective and harmless if a person does not have an individual intolerance to it. If the first signs of an allergy appear, then it is better to stop the procedures and choose other options for gargling. Allergy symptoms are simple - itchy skin, sneezing and redness. Propolis smells good and tastes good, so it is perfect for children. To prepare an infusion based on propolis, you need to boil 200 ml of water and add 20 g of propolis, continue to simmer for about 15 minutes, then strain and cool to room temperature. You need to gargle up to 6 times a day.
- Apple cider vinegar. This treatment option is effective for coughs or viral diseases. To prepare, you need to dissolve 2 tbsp. vinegar in 0.5 cups of warm water. Add 0.5 teaspoon of salt and stir. If a sore throat is accompanied by a cough, then it is necessary to replace the salt with honey.
- Salt. This product for gargling for sore throat is the most harmless and at the same time effective. Thanks to the gentle effects of salt, the mucous membrane actively heals. An adult can gargle with salt even for 1 hour without breaks - this will not cause any harm to the body or well-being of a person. To prepare, add 1 tsp to 1 glass of warm boiled water. salt and 1 tsp. soda, and also add 2 drops of iodine.
- Soda. Among the benefits of using this substance for gargling, it is necessary to highlight the instant relief of inflammation, removal of bacteria and pus, healing of the mucous membrane, and disinfection. However, it is not advisable for pregnant women in the first trimester to use this treatment option for sore throat (it can cause vomiting). Soda rinses are also prohibited for people suffering from stomach ulcers and small children (soda getting into the stomach is extremely harmful). Also, with frequent use of soda, the mucous membrane of the throat becomes dry, so it is necessary to carry out such procedures in doses. To prepare a soda solution for rinsing, add 1 tsp to 1 glass of boiled warm water. soda and stir.
The options listed above for gargling at home for a sore throat give good results, but do not forget about precautions.
Interesting on the topic: Gargling with soda
Gargling for a sore throat
There are also medications that are also effective in treating sore throat. However, it is imperative to consult with your doctor in advance regarding the use of certain medications.
What medications are suitable for home use:
- "Chlorhexidine." The drug effectively fights pus and eliminates bacteria in the oral cavity, speeds up the healing process and relieves sore throat. It should not be used during pregnancy or for children. If the drug is ingested, it is necessary to rinse the stomach with activated carbon - it must be drunk at the rate of 1 tablet per 10 kg of weight. For the rinsing procedure, you need to use 1 tbsp. l. facilities. After the procedure, you should not consume food or liquid for 2 hours so that the medicine remains on the mucous membrane. Frequent use will stain tooth enamel and affect the sense of taste, but these effects will quickly disappear.
- "Furacilin". The drug has a strong antimicrobial effect. It is quite safe, but it is not recommended to swallow it. It is allowed to use during pregnancy, but after consulting a doctor. To prepare, you need to dissolve 2 tablets in 1 glass of warm boiled water. You should gargle at least 2-4 times a day. During acute tonsillitis - at least 7 times. The addition of hydrogen peroxide (1-3%) or calendula is allowed. You can use a ready-made solution of Furacilin, which can be purchased at any pharmacy.
- "Miramistin". The drug has virtually no contraindications except for individual intolerance, which rarely happens. It can be used by children and pregnant women (as well as during lactation). You can use it from 4 to 10 days. For children under 6 years old, 1 click on the bottle is enough to rinse, from 7 to 14 years old - 2, for adults - 4-6 clicks. Also for children you can dilute the drug with water in a 1:1 ratio.
- Hydrogen peroxide. It is better not to use the product to treat children, but if the need arises, it is necessary to dissolve 1 tablespoon of peroxide (3%) in half a glass of warm water. It is not recommended to use it in its pure form.
When using any medications, you must always consult a doctor to avoid complications of the disease.
Preventive measures
To minimize the risks of angina, it is necessary to take preventive actions. They mean the following:
- General and specific hygiene. Use only your own towels, toothbrushes, and dishes. Isolate yourself from the rest of your household if you are sick.
- Proper balanced nutrition. Food should have an optimal ratio of vitamins, microelements, proteins, carbohydrates and fats. During the winter-spring period, be sure to add vitamin C to your diet, since at this time there is a catastrophic lack of it in food.
- Timely treatment of diseases such as sinusitis, pyelonephritis, rhinitis, dental caries, helminthiasis. If you often have chronic tonsillitis, consult your doctor regarding further treatment tactics. Partial or complete removal of the tonsils is necessary; physiotherapy is effective in the treatment of chronic tonsillitis and pharyngitis.
Additionally, regular physical activity and strengthening the immune system are useful for preventing sore throat.
What does chamomile have to do with it?
This is a herb that can be called indispensable for sore throat. And all thanks to its antiseptic and other properties. Once on the tonsils, the active substances destroy the waste products of bacteria. As a result:
- pain decreases;
- the amount of plaque decreases;
- breathing and speech become easier.
One of the important substances in chamomile is chamazulene, a product of organic chemistry. The element is an excellent anesthetic and sedative. That is, by rinsing the throat with an infusion or decoction of chamomile, taking the brewed herb internally, you can achieve a general relief of the disease and improve your condition.
In addition, according to the statements and experiments of Academician of the Soviet Academy of Sciences Grossheim, chamomile has the highest concentration of vitamins A and C. In addition to them, dried flowers are rich in the following microelements:
- potassium;
- magnesium;
- calcium;
- chlorine;
- phosphorus;
- silicon dioxide.
That is, proper use of chamomile can become an additional source of beneficial vitamins and minerals. This is especially necessary for sore throat, since during the fight against the disease the body’s strength is depleted.
Useful properties of the plant
Since ancient times, chamomile has been used in the treatment of many ailments, ranging from burns to nervous disorders. The simple-looking flower contains coumarins, tannins, unbound organic acids, polysaccharides, vitamin C, bioflavonoid derivatives and other useful components.
Essential chamomile oil has the following medicinal properties:
- antibacterial (kills harmful microorganisms);
- antiviral;
- wound healing;
- sedative;
- antiallergic.
Gargling with chamomile for a sore throat helps relieve swelling and soreness of the tonsils, improves the general condition of the body, and prevents the development of fungal infections of the pharynx. Taking the decoction orally helps strengthen the immune system, normalize body temperature and vitamin and mineral balance.
For sore throat, rinsing with chamomile in combination with antibacterial therapy accelerates the body's recovery and prevents the development of complications of the disease. Local exposure to active medicinal components prevents pathogens from multiplying in the folds of the tonsils.
How to treat a sore throat with chamomile?
So, we repeat, chamomile can be used as an auxiliary therapy, allowing the body to recover more quickly from an illness. Let's consider the main methods of treatment with its help for acute tonsillitis:
- Rinsing. Moreover, the standard one for angina has practically no effect, since the medicine does not wash the remote areas of the tonsils, where the largest number of bacteria accumulate. And in this case, the average douching bulb will come to the rescue. It is enough to take a decoction of chamomile inside it and, under pressure, release a stream of medicine to irrigate the tonsils. It is important to keep your head slightly tilted forward.
- Inhalations. In general, this method of treatment should be used extremely carefully. Let's explain why: chamomile solution is not pure water, in most cases it is not sterile. When using a nebulizer for spraying, the smallest particles of the decoction will fall not so much on the affected mucous membrane as on the bronchial-pulmonary cavity. As a result, such treatment can cause harm, because along with particles of liquid, other bacteria can penetrate into the lungs and bronchi, which can also infect the lower respiratory tract.
- Inside. Chamomile infusions and decoctions can also be used internally by humans. Chamomile has long been proven to be harmless (in moderation). Taking a decoction or infusion orally will help you quickly recover from a sore throat.
Rinsing
Inhalations
Infusions and decoctions
If you still really want to do inhalation, it is strongly recommended to visit your doctor for consultation.
Contraindications
Chamomile is considered a relatively safe plant, but you should consult your doctor before using the herb for medicinal purposes. The plant is contraindicated for persons who have an individual intolerance to it. Severe allergic reactions (urticaria, angioedema) are rare.
The plant should be used with caution to treat tonsillitis in children, as well as in pregnant women and people with anacid gastritis. Breastfeeding is not a contraindication for the use of medicinal herbs, but consultation with a specialist is advisable.
How to properly prepare a decoction?
There are several methods of preparation depending on the form of release of the product:
- Chamomile in filter bags. For 200 ml of boiling water you need 1 packet. Leave for 5–7 minutes.
- In the form of dry raw materials – 1 tablespoon per 200 ml. Pour boiling water over it and leave in a water bath for 15 minutes.
Afterwards, it is cooled at room temperature and filtered (if these are dried flowers).
Can other herbs be added to chamomile?
Doctors recommend using the following herbs for sore throat:
- sage;
- calendula;
- eucalyptus;
- St. John's wort.
All of the above plants can be combined with chamomile when preparing decoctions and infusions. The proportions are as follows: 2 teaspoons of chamomile flowers, 2 teaspoons of other herbs, 200 ml of water.
In order not to buy the herb at the pharmacy, you can prepare it at home. The plant is collected during the flowering period and dried in the shade in a suspended state. Afterwards, the flowers are picked and packed into paper bags. Raw materials should be stored in a dry, dark place for 1 year.
Chamomile as part of the preparations
Chamomile can be safely called a universal herb. Its phenomenal properties to relieve inflammation have found use in the form of preparations.
Given the complexity of sore throat, it can negatively affect various functions and systems of the body. For example, taking antibiotics irritates the intestinal flora. And here the so-called “stomach mixture” with chamomile will help quickly restore the gastrointestinal tract after an illness.
The same goes for the nervous system. Chamomile perfectly calms and relieves pain. It is used with other soothing herbs: lemon balm, mint, etc.
