Gargling salt water can help relieve discomfort and prevent infection. It may also help reduce symptoms of other conditions such as allergies, sinus infections, sore throat, and canker sores.
Salt water gargles are a simple, safe, and affordable home remedy.
They’re most often used for sore throats, colds, allergies, and sinus infections. Salt water gargles may be effective for both relieving infections and preventing them from getting worse.
Making a salt water gargle is quick and easy. It requires only two ingredients — water and salt — and takes very little time to prepare and use. Since it’s also affordable and convenient, it’s considered a common remedy for some conditions.
Read on to learn more about uses for salt water gargles and how to do it safely.
Salt water gargles have become a popular standby for some minor ailments. They’ve also been used successfully as alternative treatments since before modern medicine.
In fact, research and modern medicine still support salt water gargles today as an effective approach for certain mild health issues.
Salt has been scientifically proven to help draw water out of oral tissues, while creating a salt barrier that locks out water and harmful pathogens from getting back inside.
This makes salt water gargles valuable for blocking viruses and bacteria, reducing the chance of infections in the mouth and throat, and relieving inflammation in certain cases. These include:
Sore throat
While they’re very old home remedies, doctors
They’re especially effective for colds or flus that cause a mild sore throat. If they don’t fully relieve symptoms on their own, you can combine them with over-the-counter (OTC) medications like acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil).
Sinus and respiratory infections
Additionally, salt water may help reduce how severe an infection is. For example, they can help:
Allergies
Since inflammation of the throat can also occur with certain allergies — such as pollen and pet dander — salt water gargles may also help with uncomfortable sore throat symptoms due to allergic reactions.
Dental health
Salt water can draw out water and bacteria while protecting the gums, so gargles may be effective for improving gum and dental health. They may also help prevent gingivitis, periodontitis, and cavities.
According to
Canker sores
Salt water gargles
Making a salt water gargle at home is very easy and straightforward. It’s safe for adults who are comfortable gargling, and it’s typically recommended that children are able to use it once they can safely gargle and spit.
How it’s made
Mix about 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of salt to every 8 ounces of water.
You may want to use warm water because it’s more comfortable on a sore throat. But if you prefer cold water, it won’t make the gargle less effective.
Warm water may also help the salt dissolve into the water more easily which is important if you’re using coarse sea or kosher salt. You can use any type of salt for salt water gargles.
How it’s done
Gargle the water in the back of your throat. Then, swish the water around the mouth and teeth afterward. Spit it out into a sink once you’re finished.
Try to avoid swallowing the gargle. Drinking too much salt water can also have health risks, such as calcium deficiency and high blood pressure. Consuming too much salt can also dehydrate you.
If you’d like to improve the taste, try adding:
For children over and adults who are comfortable with them, salt water gargles can be simple and effective home remedies.
They’re also supported by doctors and clinicians as ways to help with the pain and inflammation of a sore throat. As an extra bonus, they could also help prevent and relieve certain oral bacterial and viral infections, colds, flus, and strep throat.
