Herbal Treatment for Soothing a Sore Throat
By the Seed SistAs
Sore Throat? Itchy, scratchy feeling that makes it hard to swallow? Losing your voice and sounding all sexy like Marlena Dittrich? Ever noticed how the first hint that you’re coming down with something often starts with your throat? There’s a good reason for that! So, if you need some herbs to help a sore throat and want to know more about why we get sore throats, here’s some answers.
What happens when we get a sore throat?
The throat is like the body’s first line of defense, where everything from the air we breathe to the food we eat passes through. It’s packed with lymph nodes and tonsils which work hard to catch and fight off infections. So, when a virus or bacteria arrives, your throat is one of the first areas to get hit. Plus, it’s super sensitive, making it a prime spot for those early warning signs of illness. It’s like your body’s way of waving a little red flag, saying, “Hey, something’s not right here!” That scratchy, sore feeling is basically your immune system kicking into high gear, doing its best to clean out whatever’s around that shouldn’t be. So, next time you feel that telltale tickle, know that your throat is just doing its job as your body’s trusty gatekeeper.
A sore throat can be a nightmare, more so when it’s hard to swallow as your glands swell, and even talking and eating can be extremely uncomfortable. While there can be other reasons for a sore throat, like shouting or singing too much on a night out, it is most commonly a symptom of infection from a cold or flu. But have you ever had a sore throat and wondered if there might be more to it than just a bug going around? Spiritually speaking, a sore throat can be like a nudge from the universe, hinting at some deeper stuff. Here, we will delve into some of that, and look at how sore throat infections caused by microbes, including bacteria, viruses, and even fungus can be treated with herbs.
Let’s have a look at what is happening in the tonsils
The tonsils are part of the body’s immune system, and are located nestled amongst the membranes at the back of the mouth and throat, visible when the mouth is open. The tonsils aid in the detection and filtration of microbes entering the body through the mouth or the nose. The tonsils also contain a lot of white blood cells, which are responsible for managing these microbes and helping to reset the body when unwanted microbes are around. The tonsils themselves can become infected, causing intense discomfort with inflammation and swelling.
Sore throats in repeated bouts often used to lead to tonsillectomies (tonsil removal). It was a popular medical fad when we were kids in the 70s and 80s, which thankfully has reduced massively in surgical numbers in the last 50 years or so. There is now an understanding that it can be detrimental for the immune system and doesn’t look at the root of what can cause repeated bouts of throat issues.
Causes of a sore throat
Although we say that colds and flu are usually the main cause of a sore throat, there is usually a reason that a sore throat has set in. A weakened immune system can leave the throat area more vulnerable; stress can reduce immune function and increase inflammation, leaving microbes to run free opportunistically in the right environment. We have seen a link between a sore throat and shock or an accident. This is often seen in children who will mysteriously come down with a sore throat straight after a traumatic event or a big physical shock like a knock to the head. Sudden shock can destabilise the immune system and can have the knock-on effect of swollen tonsils.
The body as a map
Think of your body like an intricate map, where every ache and ailment is a little marker pointing to something deeper. When you get something like a sore throat, it’s not just about germs; it’s your body’s way of sending you a message. It might be hinting that you’re having trouble expressing yourself or that you’re holding onto unspoken emotions. Maybe there’s some creative energy that’s been bottled up, or you’re scared to speak your mind because of fear of judgement. These physical symptoms can be clues about unresolved issues in your relationships or energy imbalances that need addressing. And sometimes, it’s a sign that you need to slow down and really listen to your inner voice, tuning into what your soul wants to say. So, when your body starts acting up, it’s like a nudge to look beyond the surface and figure out what’s really going on inside!
Regular inflammation in the tonsils and throat in tonsillitis and pharyngitis sometimes indicate that there is something that isn’t being said that needs to be. This may be an issue you are holding onto, leaving things unsaid to protect someone or to avoid potential conflict. The throat area is about communication and connection. Issues in the throat encourage us to explore what needs to be said with truthfulness free from blame and not loaded with excessive emotion. If the throat represents being able to speak up for yourself and others, consider what is not being said or what is held onto that could be causing energetic blockages in the throat area.
Herbal Treatment
While you are working on the more spiritual root causes of a sore throat, you can help to support symptoms in several ways with herbs.
As the throat (and nose) is the first interaction with the outside (of the body) environment, a herbal throat spray is a wonderful way to get herbs direct to the area. Many of the herbs in our throat spray contain a range of beneficial attributes. Herbal compounds are absorbed through the mucous membranes of the mouth and throat into the bloodstream, but you are also getting the benefit of direct application of the herbs onto the affected area at the back of the throat.
‘Herbal actions’ that are useful:
Herbal actions refer to the specific effects that herbs have on the body. These actions describe how herbs interact with bodily systems and what therapeutic benefits they might provide
Anti-microbial – Antimicrobials are herbs that interfere with the proliferation and life cycle of microbes; bacteria, fungi, and viruses. Plants produce volatile or essential oils to protect them against pathogens, animals or even the sun. These protective aromatic compounds are often protective for us and our immune systems. When you use more than one aromatic herb together, you get a range of protective effects that are greater than the sum of the parts when the plants come together.
Anti-inflammatory – through various mechanisms, including blocking prostaglandins in the inflammatory cascade, herbs can reduce inflammation. Inflammation, particularly in the tonsils, plays a large role in the pain experienced in a sore throat.
Anodyne – works through various mechanisms usually by lessening sensitivity of the brain or the nervous system. Herbs in a throat spray can get this anodyne action direct to the source of the pain.
Nervine – supporting the nervous system, especially the nervine relaxants and tonics that will support and reduce stress, will support the body to stay calm and healthy. Long-term stresses have such a detrimental long-term effect.
Lymphatics – support the activity of the immune system – have a deeper read here
Tonsil Tickler Throat Spray
One of our most popular combinations especially amongst performers at festivals and events to keep their tonsils healthy is our throat spray that we call Tonsil Tickler. The herbs in here soothe and support inflamed tissues, are antimicrobial and lymphatic. There are a range of herbs including:
Elderberry syrup
An amazing antiviral herb that also is considered a febrifuge, making you sweat in order to break a fever or to increase the body temperature. This process aids the body’s natural immune response to increase body temperature.
Poke root
Thought to have originated from Central and South America, this herb is very powerful, thus best to only take with acute illness for a few days at a time. Poke root is lymphatic and will help the tonsils to process the infection, and be able to remove the issue at the local tonsil level.
Propolis
This is a resinous substance produced by bees gathered from multiple plant sources as the bees harvest from buds, sap, and beeswax. The variety of plants that propolis is created from gives a super broad and helpful anti-microbial tincture. Propolis has had lots of research into its power as an antimicrobial reducing the speed of a sore throat by two days for full resolution of a severe sore throat.
Thyme, sage, rosemary, marjoram, and oregano
These are aromatic herbs which bring antimicrobial actions to the throat spray. The more antimicrobial herbs you combine the more powerful the action, a phenomenon called synergy. The throat spray deposits the herbs directly to the swollen tonsils acting to soothe and numb the area.
To create Tonsil Tickler, we combine the herbs and pop them in a spray bottle for those unexpected sore throats.
These blog articles are herbal education resources, produced by the Seed Sistas. Gain insights and join us in the evolution of healthcare, please do leave a comment or question. Wellbeing empowerment for all…
