Gargle with salt water to relieve sore throat

Gargling with salt water helps kill bacteria and viruses, reduce pathogens, soothe ulcers and relieve sore throat.

Sore throats are associated with short-term illnesses such as allergies, sinusitis, colds, tonsillitis, and irritants; they can go away on their own within 7-10 days. Some natural remedies can help relieve mild sore throats, including gargling with salt water.

Salt water has an alkalizing effect, increasing the pH level in the mouth. Gargling with salt water reduces the amount of bacteria and viruses in the mouth, thereby reducing pain and other related symptoms such as phlegm and swelling in the throat. People with sore throats due to flu, colds or Covid-19 can also gargle with salt water to recover quickly.

This method also promotes cells to heal the oral mucosa, heal wounds quickly, and is good for gums and teeth. Other benefits include supporting the control of infections that cause oral pain such as gingivitis, periodontitis, mouth ulcers, thrush, tooth decay, etc.

Patients should use 0.9% saline solution, which is available at pharmacies, to ensure that the sodium concentration is sufficient to be effective. If using homemade saline solution to gargle, do not mix it too concentrated as it can easily irritate the throat lining. To properly mix saline solution, prepare about 230 ml of warm water, a teaspoon of salt, and two tablespoons of baking soda (if available). Mix the mixture together until the salt is completely dissolved, and use the saline solution.

Salt water has antiseptic properties, helping to eliminate bacteria in the mouth. Photo: Freepik

Gargle with salt water at least twice a day, when you first wake up and before you go to bed. Do not gargle with salt water more than three times a day to avoid damaging your tooth enamel.

Drink a sufficient amount of salt water, tilt your head back to let the salt water go deep into your throat. Hold for at least 30 seconds and gargle continuously, spit it out and repeat until the solution is gone. Do not rinse with water after spitting out the salt water.

This method is not suitable for young children and people who cannot spit out the solution (poor swallowing function can easily cause choking or inhalation of liquid).

To relieve sore throat faster, patients can also drink plenty of water, apply warm compresses to the neck, use a humidifier, drink ginger or turmeric water mixed with honey to increase resistance.

Anh Chi (According to Very Well Health )

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