Tonsillitis is the inflammation of lymph nodes that are located on either side of your throat. These lymph nodes are called tonsils. The condition mainly occurs in children and teenagers, but it can also affect adults. Tonsillitis can be caused by bacterial or viral infections. It is also important to remember that both viral and bacterial infections are contagious. Thus, it is recommended that those infected stay away from public places until the symptoms have cleared.
Tonsillitis symptoms to look out for include: A sore throat, difficulty swallowing, painful neck, chills or fever, loss of voice, coughing, headache, swollen lymph nodes, and bad breath. The severity of tonsillitis varies; although it is usually not a serious condition. Most cases get better within a week without any medical treatment.
There are numerous home remedies for managing the symptoms and fighting against the infection while you wait for the tonsilitis to clear up. If the infection is viral in nature, you will have to fight it off naturally, as antibiotics don’t kill viral infections. If bacteria is to blame, you will also be able to treat the infection without antibiotics or surgery.
A tonsillectomy (surgical removal of tonsils), is not advised for mild to moderate tonsillitis in children. This is because tonsils are key players in preventing illness in childhood. It will only be necessary to consult a doctor if there is difficulty breathing, no sign of improvement, or tonsillitis keeps returning. To help relieve you of your symptoms and treat the infection, we have compiled a list below of 10 natural home remedies.
The basil herb offers a range of benefits for relieving symptoms caused by tonsillitis. Basil is actually a key ingredient in countless cough syrups and will help relieve you of your cough. Eating fresh basil leaves will boost your immune system. This will improve production of infection-fighting antibodies. These antibodies will assist in fighting off the bacteria that have infected your tonsils.
To experience these benefits, start off by mixing a handful of fresh basil leaves with 300 ml of water. Then boil the water with the basil for 10 to 15 minutes. Filter the mixture and squeeze the juice of a lemon into the water. You may sweeten the solution by adding honey. Make and drink this mixture at least twice a day until your tonsillitis has cleared.
You can also make basil syrup, which can be taken as a spoonful to soothe a sore throat and cough. Place a 1/2 cup of fresh basil into a saucepan with 1 cup of water. Boil the water and turn off the heat for 10 minutes. Strain the mixture and return the basil tea to the heat. Then add 1 cup of raw sugar to the saucepan and stir often. Once the mixture has thickened, you can leave it to cool and pour into a bottle for up to two months.
Additionally, you can place a few fresh basil leaves in the sun for a couple days and make a powder from them. Massaging this powder onto your gums will help fight off the bad breath caused by the infection. Basil also works as a muscle relaxant and can help relieve you of a headache caused by tonsillitis. Massage basil essential oil to your aching head for pain relief.