10 Top Benefits Of Salt Water Gargle (Warm Salt Water Rinse)

benefits of gargling salt water

One of the easiest at home remedies that has amazing health benefits is salt water gargle. Almost all of us must have used salt water gargle to treat sore throat in some point in our lives, it is that famous all over the world. But salt water has other amazing uses other than relieving sore throat. We use it for treating cold, cough, toothache, acid reflux, tonsillitis, oral thrush, bad breath, bleeding gums, bronchitis, sinus infection, itchy throat and phlegm !

What Is Salt Water Gargle?

For those of you who don’t know, salt water gargle is the act of gargling our mouth with warm water in which salt is dissolved. Usually salt water gargle is done to relieve throat pain and infection.

How Does Salt Water Gargle Work?

Salt water gargle works by a process called osmosis. Osmosis is a process in which the solvent moves from an area of higher concentration to lower concentration to create an area of equilibrium. When we gargle with salt water, salt moves into the inflamed tissues by the process of osmosis and draws out moisture from the swollen and inflamed tissues. Since salt has anti bacterial properties, it kills some of the bacteria and helps flush out the toxins effectively. When we gargle with salt water, the salt makes the area not hospitable for the bacteria to thrive and since it also reduces inflammation, it helps reduces the pain
significantly too.

How To Do Salt Water Gargle?

To do salt water gargle, mix 1 tsp of sea salt in a cup of warm water and stir to dissolve it completely. Now take a big sip, tilt your head back and gargle for 15 to 30 seconds. When you are gargling, little bit of the water might go into the stomach which is normal. Spit it out after 30 seconds and repeat the process till you have used up the rest of the salt water. If anyone of us suffer from sore throat at home, my grandma used to make us do salt water gargle three times a day so I would suggest the same too.

Side Effects & Precautions:

Gargling with salt water once in a while as a treatment is fine but try not to do it on daily basis as it might effect the teeth and try not to swallow the salt water rinse too much as it can lead to vomiting in some people. Too much swallowing will dry out the throat leading to more pain…..

10 Top Health Benefits Of Salt Water Gargle (Salt Water Rinse):

1. Throat Pain & Itchy Throat:

At home, if any one is suffering from throat pain usually they will be asked to do salt water gargle first as it helps reduces the infection and inflammation which in turn helps reduce throat pain. Mild forms of throat infection can be treated with salt gargle itself. You can also add anti inflammatory herbs to the gargle like licorice to make it more effective.

2. For Sore Throat:

If you are suffering from sore throat, two things will greatly help. One is drinking licorice tea and another is salt water gargle. Both if done together will help treat the infection and also reduce the inflammation very fast. You can find how to make licorice tea and the correct dosage here.

3. For Acid Reflux:

Acid reflux also called as heart burn is a condition in which the stomach acid flows back into the food pipe and causes intense irritation. It also leaves a acidic taste in the mouth and also cause throat irritation. Though salt water gargle will not treat acid reflux, it will help reduce certain symptoms of acid reflux like throat irritation and it also helps get rid of the acidic taste in the mouth

4. For Cough & Sinus Infection:

Gargling with salt water is great when we are suffering from cold, cough and sinus infection. If you are suffering from cough, use this salt water gargle recipe: Boil a cup of water with 1/2 tsp of crystal salt and once the salt gets dissolved, add in handful of tulsi also called as holy basil leaves. Let it boil till the color of the water changes, now strain and use it to gargle. It will greatly help reduce cough.

5. For Toothache:

The most common cause of tooth pain is dental cavity which can lead to tooth decay. Another common cause is gum disease caused due to bacterial infection. If you are suffering from bacterial infection, salt water gargle will help reduce the infection and the inflammation in the gums thus reducing tooth pain to a great extent.

6. For Bronchitis:

Bronchitis is caused when the bronchi which carry air to the lungs gets inflamed. The common symptoms are coughing up mucus, wheezing and shortness of breath. There are are two types of bronchitis, one is acute and the other is chronic. Gargling with salt water will help loosen up the phlegm and will greatly ease the discomfort that we face when we are suffering from bronchitis.

7. For Bleeding Gums:

If your gums bleed when you brush or bite into something and if they are also inflamed, red and painful then it can be the first sign of gum disease. One of the simple home remedies for treating gum disease is salt water gargle as it reduces inflammation and arrests bleeding. Try to do it 2 to 3 times a day. You can read the study that proves it here.

8. For Bad Breath:

If you eat foods that cause bad breath like garlic or onions, one of the best ways to prevent bad breath is to gargle with salt water. Salt water neutralizes the acid in our mouth and creates an environment that is difficult for the bacteria that causes bad breath to grow. So always gargle with salt water if you are suffering from bad breath.

9. For Oral Thrush:

Oral thrush is a mouth infection caused by a yeast called Candida Albicans. It causes white lesions on the inner cheeks and in the tongue. It is very common in babies but may affect toddlers too. It is also common in people with immune deficiency and who use steroid mouth sprays for asthma. Salt water gargle helps as it alters the pH level in the mouth creating an environment difficult for the yeast to thrive.

10. For Tonsillitis:

Tonsillitis is the inflammation of the tonsils. It is usually caused by either bacterial or viral infection. Tonsillitis is very painful as the area usually gets inflamed making swallowing food very painful. Some of the other common symptoms are sore throat and fever. Gargling with salt water helps reduce the infection which in turn reduces the inflammation and pain effectively.

warm salt water gargle for cough and cold

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