Swollen throat or swollen tonsils can be helped with natural health

Those initial feelings in the throat of a slight tingle or tightness are the most common signs of an impending illness. We’ve all experienced it and become resigned to the looming ailment that could render us sick for a week or so. Pain in the throat, whether it’s dry, itchy, inflamed or swollen is a good indicator that a virus is present in our body – worse case scenario it could be the start of a nasty viral infection such as glandular fever. There are numerous reasons why the throat becomes sore and swollen, and there are numerous alternative medicine and complementary therapy treatments that can help cure a bad throat the natural way.

Sore throat causes, symptoms and how alternative medicine can help

A sore throat is known in the medical world as ‘pharyngitis (disease of the pharynx) or tonsillitis (disease of the tonsils). The common causes of a sore or swollen throat are from viral infections or bacteria that have entered the body. Viral infection can come from a common cold virus, influenza or the virus that leads to glandular fever known as the Epstein-Barr virus. The common bacterium that is associated with sore or swollen throats is the streptococcus group A. Most infections are passed on through touch of an infected person or object or through airborne particles. Stress can also cause a sore throat as the body battles to maintain a healthy balance.

The symptoms of a sore throat are pretty obvious at first. You’ll notice a soreness or pain in the throat and may find it difficult to swallow. The throat can become red in colour and be accompanied by a high temperature while the lymph nodes below the ears and along the jaw line can feel swollen (the lymph nodes are like filters that trap infection and are full of white blood cells that battle virus and bacteria).

When treating a sore throat, it’s a good idea to try and identify the reasons why the condition may have developed, or in some cases reoccurred. Is it a simple virus from a common cold or something that keeps happening such as tonsillitis? Swollen tonsils are a good indicator that the immune system is weak. You can strengthen the immune system through some lifestyle changes such as quitting smoking, managing your stress levels and changing your diet. Nutritionally you should remove sugary, fatty, processed and refined foods as these can weaken immunity. Vitamins and mineral supplements that will help tonsillitis include Vitamin C and E, zinc and selenium. Herbal Medicine recommends herbs such as echinacea, liquorice root and sage for tonsillitis while Homeopathy remedies for swollen tonsils include belladonna, phytolacca and apis mel.

A trained alternative medicine practitioner can help with sore throats

Many sore throats or swollen throats are treatable with tinctures, teas and remedies plus a few changes to your diet and lifestyle. You should first visit a GP to rule out any other underlying conditions that may be cause for concern. Bacterial infection should be treated with an anti-biotic in the first instance. Secondary infections of the sinuses or lungs can begin as simple throat soreness. Rashes that develop may be a sign of scarlet fever or the throat may have an abscess. In rare cases, a sore throat may be a sign of rheumatic fever or kidney disease. It’s always advisable to consult your doctor first.

Once you’ve visited your GP, contact your local alternative medicine practitioner for further advice. Naturopathy, Homeopathy, Herbal Medicine and Ayurvedic Medicine are all recommended therapies for sore and swollen throat conditions. If your sore throat is caused by poor lifestyle choices and stress, therapies such as Nutrition, Reiki and Acupuncture can help your dietary and relaxation needs.

With so many causes of a sore or swollen throat why limit yourself to just one course of treatment? Natural therapy can complement or replace conventional treatments for throat problems and often can be more beneficial.

Article submitted by
Daniel Alexander, GoToSee Journalist

Date published
28/10/08