How to Treat Tonsillitis (with 10 Natural Remedies)

Evidence-Based
Manuel Reis
Clinical review: Manuel Reis Registered Nurse OE #79026
Created by: Daisy Oliveira Registered Nurse

Home remedies for tonsillitis, such as gargling with warm salt water or drinking fenugreek tea, may help relieve throat pain and discomfort. These remedies have anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, and antimicrobial properties that can help soothe throat irritation.

Tonsillitis is inflammation of the tonsils that usually happens because of a bacterial or viral infection. It can cause symptoms such as trouble swallowing, a red and swollen throat, fever, or chills.

Home remedies for tonsillitis may help relieve symptoms and support recovery, but they should not replace treatment recommended by an ENT specialist. Medical care is especially important when throat pain is severe, there is pus in the throat with fever, or symptoms do not improve after 2 days.

This content is solely for informative purposes and should not replace a medical consultation. Do not interrupt your current treatment without seeking medical guidance.

10 home remedies for tonsillitis

Some home remedies for tonsillitis are:

1. Gargling with warm salt water

Salt is a well-known natural antimicrobial, which means it can help eliminate several types of microorganisms. Gargling with salt water may help reduce excess bacteria that could be contributing to an infection in the tonsils.

The water temperature is also important, as water that is too hot or too cold can make a sore throat worse.

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon of salt

  • ½ cup of warm water

How to use

Mix the salt into the water until it dissolves completely and the mixture becomes clear. Then, place one or two sips in your mouth, tilt your head back, and gargle for about 30 seconds. Finally, spit out the water and repeat until the mixture is finished.

This technique is commonly used to quickly reduce throat pain and can be done up to 4 or 5 times per day.

2. Taking peppermint oil

Peppermint essential oil has anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antiviral properties, making it a home remedy option for tonsillitis. It may help reduce inflammation and relieve pain, while also helping eliminate excess viruses and bacteria that may be causing the infection.

However, if this oil is taken by mouth, it is very important to dilute it in another vegetable oil, such as olive oil or coconut oil, to help prevent burns in the esophagus. Ideally, essential oils should only be taken under the guidance of a qualified professional, since not all essential oils can be safely ingested.

Ingredients

  • 2 drops of peppermint essential oil

  • 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil, such as olive oil, coconut oil, or sweet almond oil

Preparation method

Mix the essential oil into the spoonful of vegetable oil and then take it. This home remedy can be used up to 2 times per day. Higher doses should be avoided, as excessive use of this oil can cause toxic effects.

Because it is taken by mouth, it is also important to choose an organic, cold-pressed essential oil to reduce the chances of ingesting any type of chemical product.

3. Chewing a slice of garlic

Chewing a slice of garlic is another home remedy that may help with tonsillitis. When garlic is chewed, it releases a substance called allicin, which has strong antimicrobial action and may help fight several types of infections.

Read more about the benefits of garlic and how it can be used.

Ingredients

  • 1 garlic clove

Preparation method

Peel the garlic clove and then cut off one piece. Place it in your mouth and suck or chew it to release the juice, which is rich in allicin.

Since chewing garlic can cause bad breath, you can brush your teeth afterward to help mask the garlic odor. Another option is to add raw garlic to food.

4. Gargling with baking soda

Another very effective gargle for tonsillitis is warm water with baking soda. This is because baking soda also has strong antimicrobial action, which can help clean the throat and support infection treatment.

Baking soda can also be used with salt for an even stronger effect.

Ingredients

  • 1 teaspoon of baking soda

  • ½ cup of warm water

Preparation method

Mix the baking soda into the water, then place a sip in your mouth. Tilt your head back and gargle. Finally, spit out the water and repeat until the mixture is finished.

This technique can be used several times per day or every 3 hours, for example.

5. Fenugreek tea

Fenugreek seeds have antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects that may help relieve tonsillitis pain. They can help soothe irritation in the tonsils while also helping eliminate excess viruses and bacteria.

Although this natural remedy is widely used, fenugreek tea should be avoided by pregnant women.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup of water

  • 1 tablespoon of fenugreek seeds

Preparation method

Add the fenugreek seeds and water to a saucepan and heat over medium heat for 5 to 10 minutes. Then, strain, allow to cool until warm, and drink 2 to 3 times per day.

6. Star anise tea

Star anise tea has antiviral activity due to shikimic acid, a natural substance used to help fight the flu virus, making it a good home remedy option for viral tonsillitis.

This tea is also rich in phenolic compounds with antioxidant action, which help strengthen the immune system and reduce tonsillitis symptoms.

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon of star anise

  • 500 mL of boiling water

  • Honey to sweeten, optional

Preparation method

Place the boiling water in a cup and add the star anise. Cover, allow to cool, strain, sweeten with honey, and drink afterward. Drink this tea 3 times per day while cold symptoms last.

This tea should not be used by children, pregnant or breastfeeding women, or people who are allergic to star anise.

7. White willow infusion

White willow infusion, made with the medicinal plant Salix alba, is rich in salicin, a substance similar to the main ingredient in aspirin. It has strong pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory effects.

For this reason, an infusion prepared with white willow bark may be a good option to relieve a sore throat caused by tonsillitis.

Ingredients

  • 2 teaspoons of white willow bark

  • 2 cups of water

Preparation method

Bring the water to a boil and add the willow bark. Let it boil for 10 minutes, strain, and drink up to 2 cups per day.

This infusion should not be consumed by children, pregnant or breastfeeding women, people with an aspirin allergy, or people who use anticoagulants.

White willow bark infusion is also not recommended for people with gastrointestinal problems, such as ulcers, gastritis, gastroesophageal reflux disease, colitis, or diverticulitis.

8. Apple cider vinegar

Apple cider vinegar has antibacterial and antiviral properties that help fight the microorganisms that cause tonsillitis, helping relieve throat pain and discomfort.

Ingredients

  • 1 to 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar

  • 1 glass of warm water

Preparation method

Add the apple cider vinegar to the glass of warm water and mix. Then, gargle for 20 to 30 seconds, 2 to 3 times per day. Spit out the solution afterward.

It is important to rinse your mouth with water after gargling with the apple cider vinegar solution. To help prevent tooth enamel wear, brush your teeth 30 minutes afterward.

Apple cider vinegar can also be used throughout the day as a salad dressing, for example.

9. Ginger tea

Ginger tea has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties due to phenolic compounds, such as gingerol, shogaol, and zingerone, which help fight tonsillitis symptoms.

This tea also helps strengthen the immune system and reduce how long tonsillitis lasts.

Ingredients

  • 1 cm of ginger root or ½ teaspoon of powdered ginger

  • 3 cups of water

  • Honey to sweeten, optional

Preparation method

Bring the water to a boil and add the ginger. Let it boil for 5 to 10 minutes. Remove the ginger from the cup and drink the tea in 3 to 4 divided doses throughout the day.

This tea should be avoided by people with stomach ulcers or people who use anticoagulant medications, as it may increase the risk of bleeding or hemorrhage.

10. Jatobá tea

Jatobá tea, prepared with the medicinal plant Hymenaea courbaril, can be used as a home remedy for tonsillitis because it has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and expectorant properties that help relieve tonsillitis symptoms.

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons of jatobá bark

  • 1 liter of filtered water

Preparation method

Add the jatobá bark to a saucepan with 1 liter of filtered water and let it boil for 15 minutes. Wait until warm, strain, and drink up to 3 cups per day.

Jatobá tea should not be used by children or pregnant or breastfeeding women.

Update History
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