Natural Remedies For Pharyngitis
There are different natural remedies that have been used for years to relieve the symptoms of pharyngitis. Find out about them here and find out if they have a scientific basis or not.
Are you looking for natural remedies for pharyngitis? Pharyngitis is inflammation of the mucosa that lines the pharynx. It is usually accompanied by difficult swallowing, swollen tonsils, and fever. And, of course, you should see your doctor if you have any of these complaints.
In this article, we share with you a series of home remedies that have been passed down from generation to generation because some people believe that they are effective in alleviating symptoms.
Alkaline diet against pharyngitis
One of the first tips that grandmothers give to alleviate inflammation is to adopt an alkaline diet. Among the main foods you should include are:
- Fresh and seasonal fruits (especially citrus).
- Cooked vegetables, in purees and salads.
- Legumes (cooked with kombu seaweed).
- Whole grain cereal (rice, millet, quinoa, etc.).
- Fruits and dried fruits, raw and without salt.
- Seeds (sesame, pumpkin, sunflower).
- Garlic and onion.
Likewise, it is usually recommended not to consume those foods that tend to give heartburn:
- Meats, especially red ones.
- Milk and dairy derivatives.
- White sugar.
- Refined flours.
Natural infusions to relieve pharyngitis
Likewise, it is also recommended to prepare infusions with different ingredients to drink and gargle throughout the day. To do this, you can use:
- Ginger : raw, candied or infused. As the following study published by the Journal of Medicinal Food shows , it contains anti-inflammatory effects that would relieve the pain of pharyngitis.
- Lemon : use organic lemons to grate your skin and infuse it. Research from 2011 found that lemon peel has interesting antimicrobial activity.
- Honey : A recent article in Pharmacognosy Research pointed out that honey acts as an antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory.
- Plantain : containing mucilage, it is believed that it would soften the throat.
- Malva : also contains mucilages.
- Licorice : researchers from the University of Dalhousi (Canada) have explained that it is used for its antibacterial effect to relieve pharyngitis. But if you have high blood pressure, better avoid it.
- Agrimony : a plant valued by musicians to clarify the voice.
- Propolis : the results of laboratory research on animals, carried out by experts from the University of Panjab (India), have compared its antibacterial action to that of antibiotics.
Natural remedies for pharyngitis
Now that you have the foods and drinks that you can include in your diet to deal with the symptoms of pharyngitis, it is time to incorporate a series of natural remedies.
According to popular beliefs, they are perfect allies to complement medical treatment. However, do not forget to consult the doctor first so as not to intercede in it.
Raw onion for the first symptoms
The following work published by the Higher Polytechnic School of Chimborazo emphasizes that, due to its properties, onion is used to fight respiratory infections.
So once you start to notice a sore throat, but you still have no mucus; Place a chopped raw onion on the nightstand and leave it overnight.
Solarized water
Solarized water is a technique that belongs to the field of chromotherapy (a pseudoscientific treatment method based on colors).
As a study carried out by several researchers at the University of Balochistan (Pakistan) explains, blue is the color that Edwin Babbitt said was used to reduce inflammation in cases of pharyngitis.
However, not enough scientific evidence has yet been found to support this natural remedy.
Preparation
You will need a pitcher or, where appropriate, a blue glass bottle.
- First, fill it with water.
- Then, put it outside in the sun for at least two hours.
- Eat throughout the day, separate from meals.
Mustard plaster
Mustard could be used to reduce excess heat in the throat thanks to its disinfectant properties.
In fact, a study carried out by several researchers from the University of the Southern Cross detailed that, in Australia, its infusion with boiling water is used to gargle. Thus, it would be possible to combat the cold, cough and sore throat
Utensils and Ingredients
- Two linen fabrics.
- A woolen cloth.
- Flax seeds.
- Red mustard seeds.
Preparation
- First, grind one-third flax seeds to two-thirds red mustard seeds. Then mix with a little hot water in a bowl to make a paste.
- Spread the paste on the linen fabric in two areas so that, when you put them, it soaks the two sides of the neck.
- Once placed, wrap with the other two fabrics; first the linen one and then the wool one.
- When you start to feel hot, leave it on for just a minute (even less if it bothers ; it could burn your skin).
Foot baths
When you have a sore throat, sometimes your feet are cold too.
For this reason, a traditional way to balance the temperature would be to warm the feet to reduce inflammation in the upper area.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons of baking soda (20 g).
- Water (as necessary).
Preparation
- First, put a bowl of hot water and two tablespoons of baking soda.
- Then put your feet in for 20 to 30 minutes. If they cool, add more hot water.
- Afterwards, dry the feet and cover them well. If you tend to have them cold, massage them with mustard oil.
Tongue stretching
A curious reflexology exercise that would allow you to quickly deflate the throat to swallow better consists of the following: grab the tongue (with a clean cloth) and gently stretch it outwards; moving it in all directions.
Do it for a few seconds and repeat the exercise two or three times. Although the feeling is strange, at the end you should notice a greater well-being.
Really, are natural remedies for pharyngitis effective?
As you have seen, those remedies that grandmothers prepared are not so far from reality sometimes. But it is true that, to this day, it is convenient to continue carrying out studies in this regard to provide these natural remedies with complete reliability.
However, it should be emphasized that pharyngitis is a medical problem that must be treated by professionals. Consult with your doctor before carrying out any of the recipes that we have presented here.
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