Tonsillitis accounts for about 1.3% of outpatient visits and is a fairly common health condition. It occurs when a person’s tonsils get infected and inflamed, causing fever, swollen lymph nodes, sore throat, etc. The infection may be viral or bacterial, with recovery taking about a week, depending on the type of infection. While one should seek early treatment for tonsil infection, some home remedies can help with quick healing.

Gargling with salt water
An effective pain relief remedy for those with tonsil infections is gargling with salt water.

To prepare this solution, all one has to do is add about half a teaspoon of salt in some warm water, stir well to dissolve the salt, gargle for a few seconds, and spit out the water. After this, rinse one’s mouth with regular water.

Ginger tea with raw honey
Packed with healing properties, raw honey is highly recommended for throat infections, including tonsillitis. Ginger has several antibacterial properties, making it an effective remedy for inflamed tonsils. For this recipe, one needs to boil some crushed ginger in water, filter it, add some raw honey, and enjoy the beverage hot.

Chicken soup
A warm bowl of chicken soup is ideal for soothing throat pain and inflammation. It also contains electrolytes, which give the immune system a much-needed boost and help manage tonsillitis symptoms better. Seasoning the soup with pepper enhances its goodness.

Chamomile tea
Closely resembling the daisy plant, chamomile has been used as a healing agent for ages. With a pleasant aroma and healing properties, chamomile tea soothes the throat and is among the best remedies for swollen tonsils.

Ground cinnamon in almond milk
This aromatic spice is a proven antioxidant and an effective ingredient to heal the throat in case of tonsillitis. One of the ways to include cinnamon in one’s beverages is to mix cinnamon with baking soda in a pan, stir in the milk, and simmer the solution. Adding a drizzle of raw honey enhances its taste and health benefits.

Horseradish
Packed with essential minerals and several nutrients , horseradish replenishes the body and helps the immune system fight against the bacteria or virus causing tonsillitis. Boiled, sauteed, or grilled horseradish are great accompaniments to daily meals.

Fatty fish
Being one of the best sources of omega-3 fatty acids, fatty fish varieties like salmon, tuna, and mackerel help the body build immunity. So, incorporating fatty fish into one’s meals is a great idea when healing from tonsillitis.

Cold foods
While cold foods are not usually advised for throat infections, they might help numb the pain for those with tonsillitis, helping with temporary symptom control as one recovers. So, patients with tonsillitis may consider having cold foods like frozen yogurt and ice cream, but these foods are typically sweetened, so they should be eaten in moderation.

Soft foods
Tonsil infection can make swallowing hard or sharp-edged foods, such as chips, crackers, and toast, painful. So, it’s best to avoid such foods and replace them with soft, mashed foods like mashed potatoes, white rice, boiled oats, etc, that are easier to swallow and less painful.

Rest
Since tonsillitis is a bacterial or viral infection, it can heal only when the body fights this external agent. That’s why it’s important to rest adequately during this time, take a complete break from work and household chores, and seek active help from one’s support system, including family members and friends. One should hire professionals to help with cleaning and other household chores if needed.

Stay hydrated
It’s important to stay sufficiently hydrated to keep the throat moist and help it recover from the infection. So, those with tonsillitis should have sufficient water – either warm or at room temperature – as well as healthy fluids like fresh fruit juices and soups.

Use a humidifier
Since dry air can worsen tonsillitis symptoms, it’s best to install a humidifier in one’s home. These devices release moisture in the air, which can help heal throat problems.

Steam inhalation
Inhaling steam from inhalers or a hot shower can also help humidify the environment and alleviate tonsillitis symptoms.

Lifestyle tips for recovering from tonsillitis

Don’t strain the vocal cords
Tonsillitis already makes it difficult for one to speak, requiring one to exert pressure on the vocal cords. Speaking loudly or singing can strain the vocal cords further, delaying the healing process . So, it’s best to avoid straining one’s vocal cords for a few days until one’s tonsillitis is healed completely.

Avoid spicy and deep-fried foods
Spices have inflammatory properties and can further irritate the throat. Doctors recommend avoiding deep-fried foods when grappling with a throat problem, as oil can worsen the condition. It’s best to avoid such foods as much as possible and opt for food seasoned with mild spices like crushed black pepper. One must also consider switching to sautéed, roasted, or grilled foods instead of deep-fried ones.