Do you suffer from frequent bad breath? Difficulty swallowing? Sore throat? Coughing fits? You may be suffering from tonsil stones which are light grey, foul smelling globs of calcium, collagen, bacteria and mucus that form on the crevices of the tonsils. The condition is caused by accumulation of bacteria and debris that produce sulfur and forms on the tonsils crypts which are the small pockets in the tonsils located at the back of the throat. The debris hardens and calcifies as a result of lying within the pockets undisturbed.
Tonsil stones are not uncommon, and there are many natural ways in which you can treat tonsil stones. As with all other conventional, or natural remedies, there are treatments which will suit each individual better.
Improve Your Oral Hygiene with natural Products
Tonsil stones can sometimes be caused by poor oral hygiene, but this is not always the reason why you develop them, However, it is important to recognize that it may be one of the causes behind your tonsil stones.
Unfortunately, a lot of modern tooth pastes are not as effective as they should be. Many of them are full of cheap ingredients, and some ingredients may even be harmful. Harmful ingredients can cause irritations in the throat which lead to tonsil stones.
If, you do suffer from tonsil stones, it could be a good idea to find a natural tooth paste and mouthwash. There are plenty of manufacturers out there who have recognized the importance of natural oral hygiene products. Many natural oral products boost our immune system whilst conventional ones may affect our immune system negatively.
Tea tree oil is becoming a very popular ingredient in both toothpaste and mouth washes. It is highly anti-septic, and has a history of being able to support and deal with both throat and oral health problems. Brushing your teeth with a tooth paste based on tea tree oil will help, and gargling with tea tree mouthwash can also be very effective.
Salt tooth pastes can help as well, and you can even just add a small amount of salt to your regular toothpaste. Gargling with tepid salty water is another alternative.
Apple Cider Vinegar
A lot has been written about the health benefits of apple cider vinegar. It is one of the most versatile natural remedies available, but did you know it can help to treat a wide range of throat conditions including tonsil stones.
Apple cider vinegar contains a fruit acid which can not only help to dissolve plaque but it can remove tonsil stones as well. Add two tea spoons to a glass of warm water, and gargle with the solution several times in the morning. Repeat the process again in the evening, and if you have time during the day.
This treatment can help if you suffer from regular bouts of tonsillitis, or if you have a mucus covered tongue. It is a natural and safe way to improve oral hygiene.
Probiotics and Yogurt
Probiotics and yogurt can boost your all overall health and build up the immune system at the same time. However, both probiotic drinks and yogurt have been linked to what is known as a “positive throat culture”. Bacteria is always present in our throats, and everyday our throat and oral cavity is exposed to new bacteria.
By increasing the amount of friendly bacteria in our mouths and throats, we can better fight of infection and harmful bacteria. Probiotics and yogurt are full of friendly bacteria which can help you to support your throat health.
Warm Lemon Juice
Warm lemon juice has been known to loosen tonsil stones. Lemons are rich in citric acid which has strong anti-septic qualities, and at the same time it can help to dislodge tonsil stones as well as bacteria in the throat.
An effective way to use this remedy is to gargle with it for at least one minute. Spit it out, and gargle with another mouth full. You can also try drinking it. It all depends on where your tonsil stones are located, but stones located close to the mouth might be able to be dislodged.
An alternative take on this remedy is to add lemon juice to warm chamomile tea. Chamomile tea has some very gentle anti-septic properties, On top of that, it contains some volatile oils which have been known to treat throat conditions. Gargling with your lemon juice and chamomile tea mixture throughout the day might just do the trick.
Furthermore, chamomile tea is anti-peptic. That means it can help to soothe and treat a sore throat or slight ulceration which may have formed in your throat.
The Garlic Connection
Just like many other bacterial conditions, garlic can be used to treat tonsil stones. Some naturalists recommend chewing on garlic but that may not be the best solution socially, and perhaps even not the most effective one.
Ancient herbalist used to make up what they called garlic water. Garlic water is easy to make at home, and does not only contain garlic,
it also contains fresh peppermint leaves. If you don’t have access to fresh peppermint leaves, you can go ahead and use tea.
Peppermint contains menthol which can “open” the throat and increase blood circulation in the area. You may feel a bit light headed afterwards but this is just as a result of freshly oxygenated blood rushing to your head.
To make garlic water you need 5 cloves of peeled garlic, 4 sprigs of peppermint, and enough warm water to cover, normally about two cups will do. Place all the ingredients in a bowl, and pour the warm water over the peppermint and garlic. Leave to sit for about 10 minutes, and discard the garlic and peppermint. Use the liquid to gargle with as many times as you can throughout the day. This also makes an effective treatment for sore throats.
Treatments are always very individual, and it is important to find one that suits you.