DIY Salt Water Gargle for Sore Throat

Sore throat or pharyngitis is a painful, scratchy or irritation of the throat that often worsens when you swallow. Some of the major causes are viral, bacterial or fungal infections, irritants, allergies, dry air, etc. This condition is often accompanied by cold, cough, swollen glands in the neck, headache, etc.

However it is a painful and uncomfortable situation but don’t panic, as there are many natural remedies available at home which can alleviate the pain and cures the problem effectively. Salt water gargle is one among the best natural remedies which is an age old and most popular remedy for treating throat and respiratory problems.

Here are some of the benefits which we get from doing salt water gargle for clearing sore throat.

It reduces the swelling in the throat and loosens thick mucus which in turn helps to flush out the irritants or bacteria causing sore throat.
It draws water (excess fluid called edema) out from the swollen tissues in the throat which in turn cuts phlegm and reduces the inflammation in the throat to give instant relief.
It helps to increase the blood flow to carry infection – fighting cells to the throat for recovery fast.
Salt has anti-microbial property that washes away the germs in the throat. It neutralizes the acids in the throat and also restores the natural pH balance that disrupted by sore throat.
Osmosis occurs due to this salt water gargle in which the solvents get separated by a semi-permeable membrane that moves from low concentration to high concentration to achieve equilibrium and thus creates a salty and dehydrated environment that causes less hospitable and potentially dangerous for bacteria to live or grow.
Regular using of this process not only helps to destroy the bacteria but also prevents it from growing (if left or gets resistant to salt). It also clears the symptoms and problems like bad breath which are associated with sore throat.

Now, here we are presenting you on how to do salt water gargle for sore throat in step by step process.

Method: (Salt Water Gargle)

Add 1 teaspoon of salt in 1 cup of warm water.
Stir it well till the salt dissolves completely in water.
Pour some of this water in your mouth and start gargle for 30 – 45 seconds.
Be sure to hold your head in backwards, seeing in the upper direction.
Do not swallow the mix and spit the water out after gargling.
Continue doing the same process at least 4 times a day for 2 – 3 days to get relief from sore throat and other throat or respiratory problems.

Note:

You can add some raw honey, fresh lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, baking soda, etc. in this salt water and use to gargle for several times a day.
Alternatively, you can prepare a throat spray using salt water. Simply mix 1/2 teaspoon of salt and 2 – 3 drops of any essential oils (menthol, eucalyptus or sage essential oil) in 1/4 cup of warm water. Pour this solution in an empty spray bottle. Spray this mix whenever your throat feels itchy or sore by opening your mouth wide to get soothing effect on the throat.

Tips and Precautions:

Always prefer warm water for gargle why because salt can be more soluble in warmer water rather than normal water.
If you swallow a bit of water while gargling, then stop worrying and just drink a glass of water after completing the gargle process. Also, wash your mouth when once you’re finished.
Always remember that the water used for gargle should be comfortably warm but not hot, or else it burns your throat and worsen the situation.
If you didn’t get any relief from sore throat after using salt water gargle for 1 – 2 days, then it can be a sign of strep throat or check with your doctor for treatment to know the reason and treatment.
Other than salt water gargle, avoid drinking hot drinks, stay hydrated with 8 – 10 glasses of liquids per day, consume soft foods (like mashed potatoes, plain pasta, steamed fruits and vegetables), etc. for getting quick relief from sore throat.

Start doing salt water gargle from next time when you suffers with sore throat. Let me know how it worked for relieving your sore throat by sharing your experience.

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