Tonsillitis Causes, Symptoms, Natural Remedies

Tonsillitis is an inflammation of the tonsils located at the back of the throat. It is generally due to either viral or bacterial infection (often by the streptococcal bacteria), and causes swelling and redness of the tonsils, possibly with white or yellow spots of pus. The adenoids may also become inflamed and infected. Tonsillitis can occur at any time but is particularly common during childhood. In rare cases complications such as quinsy (an abscess behind the tonsil), kidney inflammation, or rheumatic fever may develop.

Symptoms
• swelling and tenderness of the lymph nodes in the neck
• sore throat with pain on swallowing
• headache, earache, and general weakness and malaise
• fever
• bad breath
• constipation

Tonsillitis is more common in children than in adults. Tonsillitis usually develops suddenly as a result of a streptococcal infection but may also be caused by a viral infection. In chronic tonsillitis the tonsils tend to flare up in episodes of acute infection, causing scarring that makes them difficult to treat in subsequent attacks.

TREATMENT 

Ayurveda 
Apply a cloth with mustard oil to the forehead to ease the pain and reduce fever. Root ginger can be chewed, and mixed with honey and lemon to make a soothing drink.

Chinese Herbalism 
Treatment would be aimed at Fire, Poison, Wind, and Heat. Avoid spicy food and drink honeysuckle tea.

Traditional Home and Folk Remedies 
Blackcurrant tea or juice (hot) will treat infection and relieve the sore throat. Drink plenty of hot honey and lemon or honey and apple cider vinegar to fight infection and boost immunity.

Herbalism 
A red sage gargle will address infection and reduce symptoms. Herbs to boost the immune system include echinacea, garlic, myrrh, sage, and wild indigo. Cleavers, marigold, and poke root will help the lymphatic system. Herbs to reduce fever by inducing sweating are chamomile, elderflowers, yarrow, and limeflowers. Agrimony, elderflowers, plantain, and raspberry leaves tone the mucous membranes, and clear the catarrh and inflammation. Herbs to soothe painful tonsils include comfrey, marshmallow, and mullein.

Aromatherapy 
Thyme oil is a powerful antiseptic and has a local anesthetic effect to reduce the discomfort. Use in a vaporizer, and add to a light carrier oil and massage into the neck. Lavender and benzoin can be added to a cup of cooled, boiled water and gargled. Tea tree oil, applied neat to the tonsils on the end of a cotton bud, fights infection and discomfort.

Homeopathy 
Chronic tonsillitis must be treated constitutionally, but for acute conditions try: Belladonna, for a sore, tender throat, with shooting pains and a stiff neck. Hep. sulf., for a feeling that there is a fishbone caught in the throat, and when pain is alleviated by warm drinks, the breath is foul, and there is yellow pus. Lycopodium, for a throat sore on the right side, and where the tongue is dry and puffy but not coated, the throat is better after cold drinks, and worse between 4 and 8a.m. or p.m. Mercurius, when the throat is dark red, swollen, and sore, and worse on the right side, and when the breath smells and there are hot sweats. Phytolacca, for a rough, constricted, hot throat, with red, swollen tonsils and pain extending to the ears. The throat is worse on the right side and with heat.

Vitamins and Minerals 
Cod liver oil tablets, along with vitamin C and garlic, will speed up the healing process.