How much salt water to gargle for sore throat

We would like to address the claim that the popular home remedy of a salt water gargle during cold and flu season can help improve your health and list the scientific findings:

1. A salt water gargle can help ease the symptoms of a common cold or respiratory tract infection and there is some evidence of a faster recovery.
2. It will not outright prevent or cure either, nor is there any evidence that gargling with salt will or has prevented people from being infected with the new coronavirus or eliminating it once infection has taken.
3. Only time will cure a common cold. A sore, itchy throat and respiratory congestion are some of the more common symptoms of a cold, a salt water gargle can ease the symptoms. The vast majority of sore throats are viral, not bacterial and will go away on their own in 3-7 days but there is some limited evidence that it can help recover more quickly from the common cold..
4. Gargling with salt water seems to help for several reasons: “A saline solution can draw excess fluid from inflamed tissues in the throat, making them hurt less”, said Dr. Philip T. Hagen, editor in chief of the Mayo Clinic Book of Home Remedies. Dr. Hagen pointed out that “Gargling also loosens thick mucus, which can remove irritants like allergens, bacteria and fungi from the throat.”
5. In a randomized study published in The American Journal of Preventive Medicine in 2005, researchers recruited almost 400 healthy volunteers and followed them for 60 days during cold and flu season.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16242593 Prevention of upper respiratory tract infections by gargling: a randomized trial.

Some of the subjects were told to gargle three times a day. At the end of the study period, the group that regularly gargled had a nearly 40 percent decrease in upper respiratory tract infections compared with the control group, and when they did get sick, “gargling tended to attenuate bronchial symptoms,” the researchers wrote.

If you choose to do a salt water gargle:

Our Kona Deep Seawater Salt is especially mild to the taste and has no bitterness. After the solar dehydrating process, the salt is allowed to sit and drained of magnesium chloride for three weeks and therefore losing any bitterness. 

How often should you gargle with salt water?

Depending on the severity of your symptoms, gargle between 2-4 times per day. You should start feeling better soon after your first salt water gargle but to receive the benefits, keep up your routine.

How much salt should you use to make a salt water gargle for a sore throat?

Add half a teaspoon to warm water. Warm water will help dissolve the salt and increase the blood flow to your throat. Gargle repeatedly for 30 seconds until the salt water is finished.

* If you suffer from high blood pressure, it is not recommended to a salt water gargle since you will likely ingest a little bit of it.

October in Arizona doesn’t exactly scream fall yet, but despite a lack of frost on the pumpkin and bright fall foliage, it does signal the beginning of cold and flu season in Goodyear. One of the most prevalent symptoms people experience is a sore throat. You might have heard that gargling with salt water can help ease throat pain and speed up healing. The question is, does this really work?

Hey, Mom was Right!

What causes a sore throat?

The majority of sore throats are caused by viruses. That scratchy feeling in the throat is often the first symptom of a cold or flu—a sure-fire sign of impending misery. While sore throats usually run their course after a few days, the pain they cause in the interim can leave you feeling miserable. Medications aren’t always effective, but moms in Goodyear have been urging their kids to gargle with saltwater for decades…and there is actually science to back them up.

Can saltwater help a sore throat?

It’s important to note that saltwater won’t actually clear up a sore throat, but it can provide relief from the associated pain and irritation. Saltwater contains hypertonic properties; that is, the osmotic pressure (the movement of water across cell membranes) is higher than the pressure in the fluid of the surrounding cells, so the saltwater encourages movement of water from the cells. This draws liquid, as well as any virus or bacteria in the throat, to the surface.

When you spit out the water after gargling, you’ll get rid of some of the germs, too. In addition, a saltwater gargle helps moisten the surface of the throat; this acts as a lubricant and helps relieve pain.

Steps for a Successful Saltwater Gargle

A saltwater gargle is easy to make and only costs a few cents. The trick is to add enough salt to make the water hypertonic. A good recipe involves dissolving a quarter teaspoon of salt in a half cup of warm water.

Don’t use cold water; you’ll need heat to help dissolve the salt and increase blood flow in the throat. This will help strengthen your immune system. Any salt will do, but finer granules dissolve more readily, so leave the kosher salt for when you brine the turkey. Thanksgiving is just a few weeks away, after all.

Gargle for a few seconds (count to five or so) and then spit out the water. It’s important to do so consistently; gargle with saltwater several times a day, depending on the severity of your symptoms. You should start to feel better in about 24 hours. Drink plenty of fluids to keep hydrated and ensure the salt doesn’t dry out the rest of your cells.

When should you use a different treatment?

People should avoid gargling with saltwater if they have high blood pressure. Chicken soup is another great alternative that contains nutrients to help fight infection. Honey and ginger can also provide soothing relief; both contain disease-fighting properties, as well.

If your sore throat hasn’t disappeared after a few days, schedule an appointment with a Goodyear ENT doctor to rule out a more serious condition.

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Does salt water get rid of sore throat?

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