5 Home Remedies for Tonsillitis

You don’t realize how often you swallow until you have a sore throat. If you have tonsillitis, something as simple as swallowing can suddenly become incredibly painful and frustrating.

Tonsillitis is an inflammatory virus that infects the tissue in your tonsils — two small, oval shaped bumps in the back of your throat. Tonsillitis can be caused by either a bacteria or a virus. If the infection is bacterial, you’re one of the lucky ones. Antibiotics can cure bacterial tonsillitis in just a few days. If the infection is viral, your body will fight it off on it’s own. But that means you’ll be stuck with a sore throat for a few extra days.

If tonsillitis has your throat feeling irritated and dry, here are a few natural ways to soothe it.

Water. Drinking plenty of fluids is the best way to flush a virus out of your system. But when you’re not feeling well, it can be tempting to turn to sugary drinks as a way of staying hydrated. The sugar in sodas and energy drinks will irritate your throat way more than help it — so steer clear of them.

Warm tea. When you think of a sore throat, you probably also think of tea. Slippery elm tea is one of the best options because it has a gel-like substance called mucilage that will coat your throat and tonsils.

Licorice root. Licorice root has been used for years to treat inflamed and sore throats. The best way to take advantage of licorice root is to add it to water and gargle with it, or dissolve it in tea.

Raw honey. Honey will do more than just soothe your throat, it may actually help cure you faster. Some studies have shown that honey has natural inhibitory effects on many species of bacteria. Whether you decide to mix honey into your tea or just eat it straight, make sure to keep honey nearby!

Salt and water. It’s definitely not the best tasting remedy on this list, but it will get the job done. Mix 1/4 teaspoon of salt with one cup of warm water and gargle it for 30 seconds. Salt will alleviate some of the swelling and scrub away any mucus lingering in your throat.

If these natural remedies just aren’t cutting it or the pain worsens, we encourage you to schedule an appointment at our Sinus & Facial Plastics Institute. With locations in Orlando and Kissimmee Florida, we’re dedicated to the complete medical care of your nose and throat, both cosmetically and functionally. To learn more about our sinus institute, give us a call at 407-944-3340.