Tonsil stones, or tonsilloliths, are yellow or white lumps attached to your throat. They are made up of keratin, bits of food, bacteria and white blood cells that have died. While they can get larger, they normally don’t cause any real harm except for bad breath, coughing, a sore throat and pain when swallowing. Fortunately there are many home remedies available to rid yourself of tonsil stones.
1. Salt water gargle. This is probably the least invasive home remedy out there and can be very effective, though it may take up to two weeks to see results. Simply gargle with a solution of salty, warm water several times a day, and the stones should begin to dissolve. This will also stop them from growing larger as the salt water should remove any bits of food that get caught on the stones. Also be sure to drink lots of water on a regular basis. Keeping the throat lubricated and encouraging swallowing is also a good way to lose some stones.
2. Knock ’em off. Using a cotton swab, a Popsicle stick, or even a toothbrush or one of your fingers, gently push and lift upwards and the stones should just come off. It is important to gargle with salt water afterwards to disinfect the area where the stones were. Never force a stone off, if it doesn’t come off with gently prodding try one of the other methods of removal.
3. Garlic, Fenugreek, Lollipops or Chewing Gum. The healing properties of garlic are amazing. Try chewing on a clove each night before bed to rid yourself of tonsil stones. Garlic is also a natural antibiotic and will help heal any areas where stones are removed.Boil some fenugreek seeds for around 30 minutes and drink a mixture of the seeds and warm water for a natural remedy. Try sucking on a lollipop for relief. The suction action is thought to help dislodge or at least loosen the stones. If you are worried about sugar there are sugar free varieties available. Chew some gum. This produces an overabundance of saliva which will work to lubricate the throat and may coax some of the stones loose.
Tonsil stones, while not usually harmful are an annoyance. They can be painful and cause extreme bad breath which can be socially damaging. Try these natural tonsil stone remedies to rid yourself of the pain and the annoyance of tonsil stones.
