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Gargling of warm water with salt, sodium bicarbonate, vinegar, chamomile or arnica is easy to prepare at home and great for relieving the sore throat because it has bactericidal, antimicrobial and disinfectant action, helping to eliminate microorganisms that can aggravate inflammation.
In addition, they also help to complement the treatment for sore throat, which can be done with anti-inflammatory drugs prescribed by the doctor, such as Ibuprofen or Nimesulide, for example. Teas and juices can also serve as a home remedy, check out some sore throat teas and juices.
The following are some of the best-proven gargles for relieving the sore throat:
1. Warm water with salt
Add 1 tablespoon of salt in 1 glass of warm water and mix well until the salt is inconspicuous. Then, put a good sip of water in your mouth and gargle for as long as you can, spitting out the water afterwards. Repeat the procedure 2 more times in a row.
2. Chamomile tea
Place 2 teaspoons of chamomile leaves and flowers in 1 cup of boiling water and keep in a covered container for at least 10 minutes. Strain, let it warm and gargle for as long as possible, spitting out the tea and repeating 2 more times. It is recommended to make a new tea whenever you are gargling.
3. Baking soda
Add 1 teaspoon of baking soda in 1 cup of warm water and stir until the bicarbonate is completely dissolved. Take a sip, gargle as long as you can and spit, repeating 2 times in a row.
4. Apple cider vinegar
Add 4 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar to 1 cup of warm water and gargle for as long as possible, then spit out the solution.
5. Peppermint tea
Mint is a medicinal plant that contains menthol, a substance with anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antiviral properties that can help relieve sore throat, in addition to helping to treat a possible infection.
To use this gargle, you should make a peppermint tea by adding 1 tablespoon of fresh mint leaves with 1 cup of boiling water. Then wait 5 to 10 minutes, let it warm and use the tea to gargle throughout the day.
6. Arnica tea
Place 1 teaspoon of dried arnica leaves in 1 cup of boiling water and leave covered for at least 10 minutes. Strain, let it warm and gargle for as long as possible, then spit out the tea. Repeat 2 more times.
When and who can do it
Gargling should be done at least twice a day for as long as symptoms persist. If there is pus in the throat it is possible that there is an infection by bacteria and, in such cases, it is recommended to consult the doctor to assess the need for taking an antibiotic. Know what may be causing the sore throat.
Children under 6 years of age may not be able to gargle properly, with the risk of swallowing the solution, which can increase discomfort, and therefore is not suitable for ages under 5 years. Elderly people and people who have difficulty swallowing may also have difficulty gargling, being contraindicated.
Other natural options
Here's how to make other great teas that also serve for gargling and other home remedies to fight throat inflammation in this video: