Some of the unpleasant things that go with tonsillitis are nasty symptoms like nausea, earache, sinus blockage, headache, swollen lymph nodes in neck and throat, body pain along with chills and fever. Basically, tonsillitis often strikes children and is often the result of a streptococcal infection. The reason people suffer from chronic tonsillitis is because their lymphatic system suffer from overload. This system manages the removal from the body of different kinds of toxins that a person has been exposed to. An overloaded lymphatic system can make the body very prone to an infection.
People with tonsillitis often treat their condition with antibiotics. These medications however, can have negative side effects on the body. They are potentially capable of killing all kinds of bacteria including beneficial bacteria residing in the gut that help facilitate food digestion. For those using antibiotics, they a supplementation of bifidus/ acidophilus type is needed in order to replenish the good bacteria that was lost. There are many types of tonsillitis treatment.
ACUPUNCTURE
Acupuncture is a very old form of traditional Chinese medicine procedure that has been practiced for thousands of years to treat a wide range of conditions including tonsillitis. It can help relieve the pain caused by a sore throat as well as aid the body in battling infection that can lead to tonsillitis. For a chronic type of tonsillitis, acupuncture can be utilized to strengthen the immune system of the body that can help prevent its recurrence. Instead of pharmaceutical antibiotics, TCM practitioners and acupuncturists use Chinese herbal remedies that contain antibiotic properties to help with the irritation and inflammation of the tonsils. A qualified TCM practitioner will correctly diagnose your condition based on your symptoms and formulate the correct plan of treatment to rid you of your problem.
NETI POT
Cleanse your throat daily using a Neti pot. It can help expel old and infected mucus debris in your throat and nose. Add to the netti pot tea tree essential oil, and sea salt with Thyme. The formula should contain about 2 ounces of sea salt. Grind the salt first then add 6 drops of essential oil into a teaspoon of the grounded salt. Mix then store in a glass jar. Add to the formula about 8 ounces of warm water.
HOMEOPATHY
Homeopathic Aconite and Belladonna and Aconite are helpful when used in the initial phases of the infection. Phytolacca can aid in tonsillitis as well. If your tonsillitis come with pus, you need to use Hepar sulph. 6C potency is a recommended dosage that can be given thrice a day.
VITAMINS
One of the most effective vitamins to fight tonsil infection is Vitamin A. It has antibacterial qualities and can help in tissue repair. Recommended dose of this vitamin is 100,000 IU each day for 3 days, then each day after that 25,000 IU a day up to the complete healing of the infection. Vitamin C also contains antibacterial properties and can activate the immune system; recommended dose is 5 – 15 grams a day. To help create antibodies and support the health of the throat, B-complex vitamins can be taken as well. Recommended dose of B-complex vitamins is 50 mg two times a day. Zinc lozenges contain ingredients that can stimulate the immune system and are also considered as antiseptics. Recommended dose is around 1-15 mg. lozenge for every 3 to 4 hours, until the sickness gets better. One should remember that all these dosages are for adults and children who weigh 100 pounds and more. Only ¾ of the dosage should be given to children 70 lbs to 100 to lbs. For children over 6 years of age or less than 70 pounds half the dose should only be used. An optimal dose for a child under 6 years will be determined by a healthcare professional.
HERBS
One of the best ways to battle infection and secondary symptoms is with herbs. Echinacea or Gargling added with some honey and Lemon juice can comfort a swollen throat and provide antiseptic relief to the tonsils. Internally taken, Echinacea can help strengthen the immune system. Peppermint tea or Chamomile is good for alleviating fever, headaches and nausea. Cleavers and Mullein tinctures are tonics for the lymph glands. A fomentation of Mullein is a good way of giving relief to the pain and swelling. Make a strong mullein tea that is soaked in a wool or cotton cloth. Wring and wrap the cloth over the throat. You can use apple cider vinegar also instead of the mullein tea. They both should be made as hot as one can tolerate and used as long as needed or desired. Headaches, mucus, fever, and throat pain can be alleviated with thyme tea and gargle.
DIET
Fasting for a short while is recommended. Highly nutritious foods such as vegetable juices, meat broth and warm vegetable can help lessen inflammation and swelling. Fruits juices loaded with sugar, however, can affect the function of the white blood cells, and so should be limited.
AROMATHERAPY AND HERBAL BATHS
You can use practically any type of herbs available although one of the best herbs for tonsillitis symptoms are Violet leaves and Rosemary. Infuse in 2 quarts of lightly boiled water about 4 oz of herbs by weight. After infusing for 20 minutes, then strain the formula into a hot bath. To detoxify your body and skin, add Epsom salts to your bath. Soak in the bath for a minimum of 20 minutes. Then rinse your body with warm water, you can still use the leftover bath herbs to compress around your neck or as a fomentation.
ESSENTIAL OILS
Essential oils such as Melissa, Teatree and Owyhee are oils that soothe the irritation in your throat. In two oz of water, place 10 drops each of these oils. You need to shake the formula each time you use it and spray it straight inside your throat.
Essential oils mentioned in the aromatherapy Kit for Flu & Colds are likewise helpful. They can be utilized as inhalation for a lot of issues in the respiratory system, as a nasal lavage or for gargling. Other effective essential oils for tonsillitis include Black Spruce, Ravensara aromatica, Pine and others.
Steven Goldfarb, L.Ac. is a board certified and licensed acupuncturist and the founder of Goldfarb Chiropractic and Acupuncture Center in West Orange, NJ.
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