4 homemade gargles to combat flu and viral infections

This is the season of maladies; every second day we are witnessing climate change; sometimes rainy, sometimes chilling, and sometimes hot! What can we witness with all these seasons in a day? And this is the perfect time for microbes to spread diseases! Today we will be talking about 4 types of gargles that are very effective for flu and viral infections.  

What are Viral infections?

Viral infections are the most dreadful, highly contagious, and quite risky kinds of diseases. The word Disease is composed of two words, Dis means Unallowed or Uncomfortable, and Ease means relax; something that doesn’t let you be relaxed and normal is called Disease. 

From a small flu to highly risky Covid infections; all that comes under viral illness is highly contagious and dangerous. ‘Viruses are borderline between living and nonliving’. These microorganisms get active when the climate is moist, damp, and a mixup of two; like winter+summer, summer+rainy, autumn+summer, or anything like that. This is the time when these highly infectious microbes derive their full potential and attack. 

That is why you will observe, people get colds, flu, throat infections, chicken pox, etc in the above-listed climatic conditions. 

Flu and Throat problems

The majority of the population suffers from these so-called minor illnesses. They may look minor, but harm is abundant! Running nose, cough, phlegm, throat pain, tonsillitis etc. All these may look small, but only the patient can experience how uncomfortable and irritating these are!  

So what’s the cure?

Ask people around you, what they do in case of a heavy cold or throat problems. 9 out of 10 will prefer going to physicians and getting antibiotics and bags full of medicines, syrups, and all such! Are these good? You may not be aware, but excess medications are the biggest enemy of your body’s major organs like kidneys, liver, heart, and brain. Just like a slow poison, they deteriorate your inner strength, and when you come to know it gets very late! Sad but this is the truth. 

So what to do, stay irritated with sleepless nights and discomfort all day long! Is this the option? No, the option is to be natural and go back to our natural remedies. 

Are Natural remedies always the best? 

There is no doubt that, with the advancement in lifestyle, technologies, food preferences, etc, those microbes too have undergone evolution to get more dangerous, and asymptomatic and to degrade at their best! So, just relying upon herbal ways is not a wise choice. Any disease when it gets major or crosses its 2nd stage, then no need to be devoted to herbology. At that moment, you should and must take the shelter of modern medications and hospitals. But when the illness is small or in its initial stages, then it can be cured without any hassle or medications. 

Now we will be talking about 4 types of gargles, which are highly effective in curing all sorts of throat infections, sore throat, sinus infections, tonsillitis, etc. 

4 types of homemade gargles to combat flu and viral infections

Salt water gargle

This is a very common gargle, which is mostly known to everyone. It may look simple but is very effective. Salt of NaCl, and Sodium chloride abides the growth of microbes thus a nice ingredient for respiratory illnesses. Take a glass of lukewarm water with a teaspoon of salt (rock salt, sea salt). Mix well and do gargles. 

Turmeric Cinnamon gargle

Turmeric has a compound called Curcumin which improves the symptoms of infections and other health problems. Being rich in curcumin, turmeric is a very effective cure for sore throat and other respiratory illnesses. Cinnamon, another ingredient known for its anti-inflammatory properties. Cinnamon is a very effective herb, extracted from the bark of a cinnamon tree. It is a sweet-smelling spice cum herb that may help fight throat infections and pain as well. For this, take a glass of lukewarm hot water with a teaspoon of turmeric powder and the same amount of ground cinnamon powder. Mix well and here you go. There is one more way that seems more authentic and effective; in a glass of water boil 2 inches of peeled fresh turmeric rhizome and 2 inches of cinnamon bark. Boil till your water gets brownish-yellow. Let it come to the desirable temperature and use it as a gargle. If desired you may also add some rock salt to increase its efficacy. 

Clove gargle/mouthwash

Well, clove gargle is a bit harder and not so okay for kids. Kids may not like the pungency of clove and they may vomit or feel irritated. Take 2-3 cloves and crush well. Soak it in a cup of hot water for 10-15 minutes. The water will turn chocolate brown. Heat this water for 2 minutes, adding a tsp of rock salt. Now adjust the quantity and heat by adding some water. You can use this both as gargle and mouthwash. Clove fights oral bacteria and other dental problems like gingivitis, halitosis, tooth decay, and many more. It too helps to fight throat problems. 

ACV and baking soda

ACV or Apple Cider Vinegar is acidic and kills bacteria and viruses in the throat, meanwhile, baking soda breaks the mucus and releases phlegm which chokes your throat and makes you feel irritated. Both ingredients are known for their anti-inflammatory properties and inhibiting the growth of bacteria. You can take a glass of hot water with a tablespoon of ACV and a tsp of baking soda. Mix it well, and use it as a gargle. In many cases, people may feel a little itchy and irritated due to these ingredients. Being highly active, they may not be so safe for everyone, especially if you have any wounds or cuts in your mouth. Also, it should not be used in excess or may damage the soft gums. 

Summary

So these were some of the highly effective and useful gargles for this changing weather. Flu and illness are very common nowadays, it is our preference how we want to care for or suffer from it! The choice is in your hands. Everyone loves to be healthy and free from these maladies, so go natural, take care of yourself, and live a blissful life.