After writing about home remedies to get rid of strep throat, how to get rid of cough?, and how to treat a sore throat?, we are now writing how to get rid of tonsil stones? Tonsils may seem to be a common problem but can result into a serious problem if ignored. Also, known as tonsilloliths or tonsilliths, these are benign accumulations of bacteria in the crypts of the tonsils present in your throat. The problem may cause discomfort in your throat but is not dangerous and usually easily cured. Tonsils are highly contagious and can spread easily through water droplets transmitted in air. This makes it important to treat the infection immediately. This article is about various natural remedies available to get rid of tonsil stones.
Causes of Tonsil Stones
The tonsils are an important part of your body that are present in your throat. They protect your body from any foreign particles trying to slip inside the lungs. They also act as lymph nodes that filter the bacteria and viruses while producing WBC’s (white blood cells) and antibodies. The foreign particles include dirt and other food particles that get stuck in the grooves present on the surface of tonsils. These grooves also gather bacteria and debris in them.
Now, the WBC’s begin to attack the particles stuck into the grooves. When the WBC’s are finished the hard particles remain stuck in the grooves. Most of the people swallow the remains and never know the story behind it. While others feel pain and discomfort, when the particles stuck into the grooves as they continue to grow. These fully grown objects are referred as tonsil stones. Tonsil stones are more common in teens and children with large tonsils. People with poor dental hygiene can also suffer from tonsil stones.
Symptoms of Tonsil Stones:
Typically tonsil stones appear white. Sometimes the tonsils are not even visible because they are deep inside the throat. Some people have no symptoms of tonsil stones at all. While others suffering from tonsil stones may complain of symptoms like:
- Redness
- Itching
- Inflammation
- Difficulty to swallow
- Bad breath
- Fever
- Swollen glands
- Sore throat
Natural Remedies to Get Rid of Tonsil Stones
1.) Gargle With Salt Water
The best and most effective remedy to get rid of tonsil stones is gargling. When you gargle with warm water this helps to soothe infection and the salt present in the water will kill the bacteria in the very first place.
- Mix a teaspoon of common salt in a glass of warm water.
- Gargle with this solution and spit the water out. Do not swallow.
- Repeat the remedy as often as possible for a speedy recovery.
2.) Use The Lemons
The antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and anti-viral properties present in lemon help to get rid of tonsil stones by killing the bacteria and curing infection. Being rich in Vitamin C it also improves the body’s resistance to fight infection.
- Squeeze one lemon in a glass of lukewarm water.
- Add a pinch of salt and a tablespoon of honey.
- Now, drink the water slowly.
- Repeat the remedy twice a day to get rid of tonsil stones.
- Alternatively, you can also sprinkle salt and black pepper on a freshly cut slice of lemon.
- Suck on the slice to flush the phlegm out from your throat.
- Repeat the remedy thrice a day for effective results.
3.) Make Use Of Basil Leaves
Another awesome remedy to get rid of tonsil stones is basil. It has many anti-inflammatory and antiviral properties that help to fight bacteria reduce swelling. It also speeds up the healing process.
- Add 10 Basil leaves to half a cup of water.
- Keep it for 10 minutes and strain.
- Also, squeeze a whole lemon into the mixture.
- You can also add a few drops of honey to enhance the taste.
- Drink this mixture thrice a day regularly to ease the symptoms of tonsils.
4.) Take Help From Turmeric
Due to being rich in anti-inflammatory and antiseptic qualities, turmeric is an excellent remedy to get rid of tonsil stones. It also prevents from recurrent tonsil.
- Add a teaspoon of turmeric powder a glass of warm water.
- You can also add salt to the solution.
- Gargle with the solution 3-4 times a day.
- This is quite effective, when practiced before going to bed.
- Alternatively, you can mix a pinch of turmeric powder with the same amount of black pepper.
- Add this to a glass of warm milk.
- Drink the milk regularly before going to sleep.
- This speeds up the healing process.
5.) Use The Cinnamon
Cinnamon has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties that help to get rid of tonsil stones. It also soothes swelling, inflammation and irritation in the throat.
- Add a teaspoon of cinnamon powder to a glass of hot water.
- Also, add a few drops of honey.
- Finally, drink the water slowly.
- Repeat the remedy thrice a day to get rid of tonsil stones fast.
6.) Slippery Elm Will Help
The mucilage in slippery elm helps to ease soreness of the throat and soothes pain and inflammation. When taken internally, it also heals the inflamed tissue, thus helping to get rid of tonsil stones.
- Add a teaspoon of the inner bark of slippery elm to two cups of water.
- Boil the mixture and allow to cool it down for 5-10 minutes.
- Strain the water and drink.
- Repeat the remedy twice a day to get rid of tonsil stones.
- Alternatively, you can also mix 3 teaspoons of powdered bark and a teaspoon of cayenne pepper.
- Add two teaspoons of honey to the mixture.
- Finally, add 4-5 teaspoons of warm water.
- Have a teaspoon of this mixture at regular intervals.
- Repeat the remedy for three days to get effective results.
7.) Use The Mint Leaves
Mint has many antimicrobial properties that kill the tonsil causing bacteria effectively. Also, the menthol present in mint helps to ease inflammation and soothe the irritated mucous membranes. This gives relief and help to get rid of tonsil stones.
- Add mint leaves to a glass of water.
- Allow the water to boil and reduce by half.
- Now, strain the mixture and drink.
- Repeat the remedy twice or thrice a day to get rid of tonsil stones.
- You can also use the water solution to gargle several times a day.
8.) Use The Carom Seeds
The nutritional properties of Carom seeds help to fight the bacteria and get rid of tonsil stones. These seeds are also rich is antioxidants, minerals, and vitamins that help to boost the immune system and fight off the infection.
- Heat 1/4th teaspoon of carom seeds until grown.
- Now, add a pinch of turmeric powder.
- Mix it well and then add a cup of warm milk.
- Remove from the heat and drink this mixture.
- Repeat the remedy twice a day to get effective results.
9.) Take Help From Figs
Figs are an effective remedy that helps to get rid of tonsil stones. Due to being rich in high mucilage content figs are effective to reduce pain and soreness caused due to infection.
- Boil 3-4 dried figs in water and mash them with a wooden spatula.
- Mix a tablespoon of honey to the figs.
- Have this mixture 3-4 times a day.
- Continue for a week to get effective results.
- Alternatively, you can also prepare a paste of the boiled figs.
- Apply it to the outer layer of your throat.
- Allow the mixture to air dry.
- Rinse it off with warm water.
- Repeat the remedy twice a day to get effective results.
10.) Take Help From Garlic
Garlic is an excellent cure to many throat problems. It has many antibacterial properties that help to kill the bacteria and also fights infection. Garlic also helps to solidify the materials present in tonsils.
- Simply chew a peeled garlic clove several times a day.
- Follow this daily to get rid of tonsil stones.
- Garlic supplements can also give similar result.
11.) Take Some Yogurt
This is one of the safest remedy to prevent tonsil stones. The probiotics present in plain yogurt destroys the harmful microorganisms that are responsible for tonsil stones. It not only helps to treat the tonsil stones but also prevents it from coming back. All you need to do is eat one cup of yogurt at-least 3 times a day. You can eat it after breakfast, lunch and dinner.
12.) Use The Toothbrush
It is your choice whether you want to use a standard toothbrush or an electric one. But make sure whichever toothbrush you are using is soft and delicate. When you are removing the tonsil stone with your delicate toothbrush, use an electric lamp to find the exact position of the tonsil stones. With the help of the toothbrush apply weight on the tonsils. Use the level side and brush side to lift up the tonsil tissue so that you can discover the stones. Push off the stones and rinse your mouth with your regular mouthwash to dispose of the the remaining stones.
