Tonsillitis is a common childhood ailment, but you don't have to
treat it with antibiotics. Pediatricians are less likely to prescribe
antibiotics for minor ailments, as the overuse of antibiotics is
creating "superbugs" that are resistant to antibiotics. You can use
natural remedies to soothe your child's sore throat and to prevent
occurrences of tonsillitis. The following eight remedies or treatments
are all drug-free and provide natural relief from the agony of
tonsillitis.
Remedy 1 - Chiropractic Care
You
might be surprised to see chiropractic care on this list of natural
remedies for tonsillitis, but chiropractors do far more than simply
"crack backs". Qualified chiropractors can offer solutions for many
childhood ailments, including tonsillitis. Chiropractors offer holistic
solutions, restoring the entire body to better health by restoring the
way the nervous and lymphatic systems communicate with the rest of the
body. Tonsils form part of the lymphatic system, which eliminates toxins
and helps the immune system. Often, the tonsils will enlarge if the
immune system is not working properly, causing recurrent infections, or
tonsillitis.
Chiropractors have significantly reduced the number
of infections in children by ensuring the lymphatic system, connected
via the nervous system, works properly. As the spinal cord is the major
communications route for all messages from the brain to the body's
muscles and organs, it is essential that the spine is straight and
allows all the messages to pass through properly. Unfortunately, many
children have minor misalignments in the spine, caused by birth trauma,
or falls that could seem minor at the time, but can affect a developing
body.
The misalignments or 'subluxations' cause numerous health
problems, such as tonsillitis, as pressure on parts of the nervous
system can prevent organs working properly. A chiropractor can correct
the subluxations by gentle adjustments, which can relieve the pressure
and provide the body with clear communications pathway, and therefore
restore overall health to the nervous system, the lymphatic system, and
the immune system. If your child suffers from recurrent tonsillitis, try
consulting a chiropractor.
Remedy 2 - Lime and Honey Water
Warm
drinks, such as lime and honey water, can soothe the sore throat and
can help to alleviate the symptoms of tonsillitis. Heat one or two cups
of water. Add the juice of a fresh lime, 4 teaspoons of honey, and a
quarter teaspoon of salt. Drink this mixture three or four times a day
to soothe the infected tonsils. The warmth helps to soothe the throat,
while the honey provides a sweet smooth coating for the infected parts.
The limejuice and the salt combine to reduce infections and help to
prevent further infections.
Remedy 3 - Drink Plenty of Fluids
While
this may seem like common sense, many people forget to drink plenty of
fluids when feeling sick. A child who finds swallowing painful will be
likely to develop dehydration, which can complicate the illness and
prevent your child from recovering quickly. Encourage your child to sip
continuously at a drink using a straw. Avoid carbonated drinks, as the
bubbles will irritate the sore tonsils. Liquids include lukewarm broths,
such as chicken broth, gelatin (jelly), yoghurt, ice cream, custard,
and applesauce. Avoid hard, crunchy, and spicy foods that will irritate
the tonsils and sore throat.
Remedy 4 - Tumeric in Milk
Grandmothers
love this home remedy. Tumeric is a spice that many people believe has
healing properties. It can boost the immune system and reduce the
effects of a sore throat when added with some freshly ground pepper to
hot milk. If the tonsillitis is particularly severe, you may like to
grind some tumeric root and mix with water to make a paste. Rub the
paste around your mouth and throat to eliminate germs.
Remedy 5 - Echinacea and Goldenseal
Echinacea
and Goldenseal are two herbs that many people believe help to boost the
immune system and provide relief from pain. You can buy both from
vitamin or health food shops. Some vitamin pills will include these two
herbs as key ingredients, although using the fresh herbs will be more
beneficial than taking a vitamin pill. If you can procure fresh or even
powered Echinacea or Goldenseal, you can brew it like a tea. Gargle some
of the mixture first to encourage the herbs to reduce the infection
around the throat and the tonsils. Drink the mixture to gain the full
benefits of these effective herbs.
Remedy 6 - Use a Humidifier
If
your child has congestion, while suffering from tonsillitis, it will be
difficult for your child to breathe properly. Placing a vaporizer or
humidifier in the room can help to open the nasal passages, encouraging
the child to breathe through his or her nose instead of the mouth.
Adding moisture to the atmosphere can soothe a dry, sore throat. If you
do not have a humidifier, you can achieve a similar effect by having
your child breathe over a bowl of steaming warm water for a few minutes.
Some people like to add eucalyptus oil to the bowl of warm water or the
humidifier to help the nasal passages open further.
Remedy 7 - Gargling Salt Water or Onion Juices
Gargling
salt water is a common home remedy for tonsillitis. The idea is that
the salt, which has natural preservative properties, will prevent and
reduce infections. Onions have similar properties. Roast two onions and
squeeze the juice out of the warm onions. Gargle this with some warm
water. Alternatively, you can add a small amount of salt to warm water
and gargle that around your sore throat.
Remedy 8 - Fenugreek Seeds
Fenugreek
is becoming a popular herb in many natural therapies. Simmer two large
tablespoons of fresh fenugreek seeds for half an hour in a litre of
water. Drain the seeds out and gargle the water when it is cool.
Most of the remedies above treat the symptoms of tonsillitis. However, the first remedy of chiropractic care
can help to prevent further bouts of tonsillitis by treating the cause
of the problem. Combine several of the remedies to treat both the cause
and the effect of the problem of recurrent tonsillitis.
