Gargle: When And How Are They Effective (and When Not)?
Gargles are a home remedy that has been used for many generations to relieve a sore throat. There are situations in which they are really useful, and others in which they are not. Here we discuss some myths and truths about gargling. When and how will they be effective?
What are gargles?
Gargles are a popularly known home remedy. They consist of drinking water or other infusion without swallowing, and bringing the liquid to the entrance of the pharynx. At this point, the head is thrown back and air is expelled through the throat.
This causes the liquid that was in the throat to begin to bubble, something similar to water when it starts to boil. Gargles are used to hydrate the entire area of the mouth and pharynx, and to relieve a sore throat.
What are they made of?
They are usually made with substances that hydrate and soften the throat. Some examples can be honey with lemon, water with salt or vinegar, chamomile and honey, and many other possible combinations.
All of them usually use products that we have in our house. Remember that they are a remedy that has been used for many years.
When are they effective?
There are many reasons why our throat can hurt. Some of them are: tonsillitis, pharyngitis, flu or a common cold. It can also be dehydration or cooling.
On many of these occasions, gargling will hydrate the area, which tends to attack the main cause of pain. In addition, by correctly performing long gargles, we will be washing the area of germs, preventing them from spreading more, or the infection from being prolonged, as is the case with tonsillitis.
How are they made?
As we have already said, it is about ingesting the liquid that we have chosen without actually swallowing it. It will stay at the entrance of the throat with the head back, and we will expel air through it, causing the liquid to bubble.
For gargling to be effective, we should do it several times a day. This can be when we get up, after eating and before going to sleep, for example. It is important that we do them with the teeth cleaned, and that there is no rest of food in the mouth. Thus, its cleaning effect will be greater.
Myths about gargling
In the situation of alarm in which we are due to the coronavirus, there are many myths, news and remedies that appear every day promising a cure. One of them, in this case, is gargling.
For weeks we have been reading and hearing news that gargling with warm water and vinegar, or salt, prevents coronavirus infection. The explanation they give is that the virus, upon entering the body, stays lodged in the throat for a few days, producing pain, before moving to the lungs, where it will cause the final infection. Gargling, we would clean the throat of viruses and we would not suffer it.
However, this is false. There is no scientific evidence to show that this is the case. The World Health Organization has already been in charge of denying it.
Drinking plenty of water will always be helpful to avoid dehydration in case of fever. Also, gargling will be to hydrate and soften the throat, but the virus will not be eliminated this way. It is not a protective remedy.
Gargling is not always helpful
Gargles are a cheap and safe home remedy that is useful in many cases to relieve a sore throat and keep it hydrated. Doing them correctly, and with the recommended ingredients, will benefit us.
However, the myth that circulates that they are a protective remedy against the coronavirus is not true. It will also alleviate some of the symptoms associated with the respiratory, but in no case will it protect us from suffering the infection.
