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As home remedies go, this might be the most widely known/practiced/recommended. But why does gargling with warm, salty water help soothe a sore throat? Since I’m doing this multiple times a day–and since I feel like it helps–I decided to Google the gargle and attempt a better explanation than “because it does.”
First of all, gargling of any kind is helpful when you have a throat infection because it flushes the area and can encourage any lingering bits of phlegm to ride the wave and leave the premises. For those who still have your tonsils (or who, like me, have big ones), flushing the throat with fluid helps loosen anything that gets stuck in there as well. Alternatives to salt water gargling: cider vinegar, lemon juice, natural mint or cinnamon mouthwash, or just plain warm water.
But here are the main two reasons why salt water in particular are helpful for sore throats (information I learned here and here and here):
- Salt sucks. This is a phrase that I learned in 12th grade biology class, and I’ve come back to it again and again. Salt draws moisture and promotes osmosis. This is why salting eggplant or tomatoes makes them give up their liquid so they’re easier to cook with. In your throat, salt water “sucks” in two ways: it draws moisture out of any bacteria who have set up shop there, and it draws moisture out of your own swollen tissues, relieving inflammation.
- Salt cleanses. Not only does salt water flush out post-nasal drip and other bacterial material (just like any fluid would), a salty environment prevents bacteria from growing. Just ask any medieval meat-eater how they kept their meat from going rancid, and you’ll recall that salt is a bacteria-fighter.
Fair warning, though – you can have too much of a good thing when it comes to salt water gargling. First, do not swallow the salt – your body does not need the extra sodium, it needs to be well-hydrated in order to fight your infection. Second, if the concentration of salt in your gargle is too high, it will dry out your throat membranes, causing them to inflame further.
A good rule of thumb is to use only enough salt so that the water tastes just salty, not WHOA, SALTY! I usually do 3 10-second gargles in a row, 3-4 times a day when I have a cold. And for whatever reason, I usually feel better afterward.
Do you gargle? Does it help?
posted April 7, 2009 at 2:24 pm
I’ve used warm water salt gargoling for a long time. It has always worked to make me feel better and to enhance healing. However, I have an even better method of solving throat problems as well as colds and the flu. It’s simple, but you would have to email me to find out. It has to do with garlic and ginger.
posted July 8, 2009 at 7:30 am
I gargle with plain warm water everyday, twice a day. First thing in the morning afer brushing my teeth and the last thing before bed. I have large tonsils, and the warm water is so soothing. I used to wake up EVERY morning with a dry, sore throat and have found since I started gargling regularly this NEVER happens anymore. I only add salt when I have a cold or the flu.
I think gargling regularly helps prevent a cold from ever starting as it flushes out any germs that may have gotten lodged there throughout the day. Case in point: a few weeks ago, I felt that scratchy tingly feeling in the back of my throat and just knew a cold was coming on. I had post-nasal drip and was starting to feel achy. After gargling at bedtime that night, I went to bed certain that I would wake up with a full blown cold. Imagine my surprise when I woke up the next day with absolutely no signs of a cold! Maybe it was coincidence, but I doubt it. I’ve read that people who gargle have 36% fewer colds.
posted October 16, 2009 at 10:51 am
You gargle chodes.
posted November 18, 2009 at 10:28 am
I like the article about salt water gargling which I will try.
posted November 20, 2009 at 11:17 pm
I’m gargling right now!
posted November 28, 2009 at 1:41 am
I gargle when I google
posted April 16, 2010 at 12:03 am
I Got sick about 6 days ago, and went to the doctor today. There i was diagnosed with Strep Throat!!!! Which I already knew, but went anyways. I also have a wisdom tooth growing in and its a royal pain in my mouth…lol….But i have been gargling with warm salty water and amazingly the pain and swelling have gone down a lot. So this is no myth everyone who even for a second feels a sore or itchy throat coming on gargle like you’ve never gargled before…..IT REALLY DOES HELP!!!!!!
posted June 2, 2010 at 12:12 pm
Not only does salt water help with sore throats, it also helps an abcess tooth. I felt an abcess coming on last week and the pain was irritating. I decided to try to rinse the area with salt water. The pain IMMEDIATELY went away and did not become inflamed any further. I didn’t have to make a trip to the dentist to request antibiotics! This is my new remedy!
posted February 17, 2011 at 8:37 am
My doctor always recomended gargle with asprin or salt water. This was back in the 1960′s. Back then asprin was used more often than today.
posted August 14, 2011 at 5:39 pm
I wanted to know HOW much salt to use in a glass of water to help get rid of a sore throat. I really didn’t need this long and tedious explanation. Besides, you have to be careful when using a salt gargle because Salt can DRY out your sinuses and cause more problems. SO HOW Much Salt would you use in a Glass of water and is every 4 hours an acceptable amount of time to use it?
posted September 13, 2011 at 12:09 pm
Dominick J, if you read the last paragraph of hrossi’s article it tells you how much to use. And far from being long and tedious, I think the explanation is very informative. No pleasing some people, I guess.
posted November 30, 2011 at 4:57 am
Hey guys, I tried to stick a rod in my hole but my cold got worse so I made some warm concoction in my rear and it felt so good. I think that’s what is best for a cold. Who wants to party with me.
posted December 17, 2011 at 9:33 pm
Hey Dominick J.
From what I’ve heard it’s 1 teaspoon of salt to every cup of water.
posted December 20, 2011 at 5:44 pm
Salt water gargling help in killing bacteria in your mouth. In the past, when toothpaste and toothbrush were not yet invented, salt gargling is the best alternative. Even now, this way is still being used, most especially for persons affected with mouth disorders or other illnesses.