While allopathic medicine has gained a lot of popularity over the past few years, ayurvedic medicine has not lost its place in Indian medicine either. Ayurveda is still an important part of medicine and medical treatment in India. It provides effective treatment for a variety of acute and chronic medical conditions such as tonsillitis, joint pain, heart problems, etc., without surgery.
Let us read more about the ayurvedic treatment of tonsillitis in India.
Table of Contents
How Does Tonsillitis Occur?
According to Ayurveda, tonsils and adenoids are defined as Gayaalu and Kantashaluka which are the body’s first line of defense located at the gateway of the oro-pharyngeal region of the mouth. Ayurveda also describes Tonsils as a part of the immune system. Therefore, due to the decrease in immunity and the tonsils‘ incompetence in helping the immune system, they become a source of recurrent infections.
Tonsillitis is a very common problem in children. Though it’s not a life-threatening disease, tonsillitis may impact a child’s health negatively and concern the parents as well. Tonsillitis may cause a child to skip school, decrease their appetite, and may also disturb their sleep.
Ayurvedic Treatment For Tonsillitis
Tonsillitis and tonsils in Ayurveda can be correlated to Tundikeri, which is one of the diseases of the head and neck. Ayurvedic literature explains that tonsillitis is a result of vitiated and imbalanced dosha of the body i.e., Vāta, Pitta, and Kapha.
Ayurveda describes that the pathogenesis of tonsillitis is due to the derangement of Kapha dosha and Rakta. This alters the digestive fire causing impaired digestive capacity leading to clogged channels of Annavaha Srotas (gastrointestinal tract) and Pranavaha Srotas (respiratory tract). The obstruction of GIT and respiratory channels may manifest the symptoms of tonsillitis like breathing through the mouth, difficulty in swallowing, and choking spells at night.
Symptoms of tonsillitis
- Shushka-Kasa (cough)
- Galaayu (Swelling of the tonsils)
- Vidradhi (Oozing pus)
- Jwara Roga (Fever)
- Difficulty during swallowing
- Sore throat
- Chills
- Pain in the throat
- Pain in the ear or on the affected area too
Also Read: 10 Most Common Causes for Sore throat
Causes of Tonsillitis in Ayurveda
Ayurveda describes tonsillitis as Galaayu, which results due to impaired digestion. Poor digestion, in turn, may weaken the immune system and results in the accumulation of ama (toxins) in the body.
Therefore, ayurvedic treatment aims to remove the excess ama from the body and thus treat the entire immune system.
Ayurvedic Medicine For Tonsils
Various Ayurvedic herbs can control the conditions of tonsillitis. These herbs when administered can eliminate the inflammation and infection in tonsilitis.
Some herbs that can provide relief from symptoms of tonsillitis are-
- Lime
- Milk
- Holy basil
- Fenugreek seeds
Ayurvedic Formulations for Treating Tonsils
Various types of formulations and plant ingredients can treat tonsils in Ayurveda. Some of them are as follows:
- Linctus made out of ingredients like Dacha, Vast, Honey and Karajan taken 3-4 times a day may prove to be an effective remedy for tonsillitis
- Boiled extracts of Banaphsha flowers. Consume it with milk.
- Chamomile Tea with Honey and Lemon can soothe the throat and help relieve the symptoms of tonsillitis.
- Gargling with Alum and Salt Water can provide relief from tonsillitis symptoms.
- Vegetable Juices like beetroot, carrot, and cucumber mixed in the ratio of 3:1:1 can prove to be very useful in treating tonsillitis.
- Ayurvedic formulations such as Kanchanara Guggulu with warm water can give permanent relief from tonsillitis. Similarly consuming Kapha Ketu ras or Tundikeri ras can also help alleviate symptoms of tonsillitis.
- Sphatika – In Ayurveda Sphatika is a type of quartz crystal, which is known to have antiseptic, astringent, hemostatic, antibiotic and anti-inflammatory properties. It helps subsides the inflammation by inhibiting the multiplication of pathogens inside the body.
- Agastya Rasayana – This ayurvedic preparation can extensively combat severe and chronic tonsillitis.
- Khadiradi – An ayurvedic herbal preparation that comes in tablet form can help a person suffering from tonsillitis.
- Kulanjana, Yashti Madhu and Vacha – The powder of these ingredients should be mixed with honey and consumed in tonsilitis to see its effective results.
Lifestyle Practices for Tonsillitis Treatment in Ayurveda
Ayurvedic management along with customized diet and lifestyle advice can do wonders not just in alleviating tonsilitis symptoms, but also in preventing future infections of the tonsils.
Lifestyle tips for tonsillitis patients in Ayurveda
- Rest well. Don’t talk too much to avoid straining your throat.
- Don’t sleep throughout the day as that can lead to a buildup of phlegm in your throat
- Avoid exposure of your nose, throat and mouth to cold wind and water.
- Maintain good oral hygiene to prevent further infection.
- Gargle 2-3 times a day using saltwater or water with yavakshara mixed in it. You can also gargle with concentrate extracted from Acacia (Babul) tree.
- Don’t wash your head too frequently.
- Avoid rain showers.
Dietary recommendations for making tonsillitis treatment in Ayurveda more successful include:
- Drink warm beverages to provide relief to your throat.
- Avoid spicy foods as they may irritate your throat.
- Avoid sour, fried and crispy foods such as curd, buttermilk, chips, etc. as they may worsen your symptoms.
- Hydrate yourself well. Drink plenty of water and consume electrolytes, if needed.
- Drink beverages that may soothe your throat. Some examples are hot lemon with honey, honey with cider vinegar, herbal teas, ginger juice, carrot juice, apple juice, elderberry juice, blackcurrant tea or juice, etc. These drinks improve immunity and relieve symptoms of sore throat.
- Don’t drink milk or consume dairy products, especially if you have severe phlegm buildup.
- You may take daily supplements such as cod liver oil, vitamin C tablets, or garlic capsules.
Take Away
Tonsils treatment in Ayurveda focuses on maintaining the balance between dosha and thus effectively reduces the signs and symptoms of chronic tonsillitis. An Ayurvedic formulation offers a holistic approach in treating a disease and does not pose any side effects and treats the disease effectively. Ayurveda also suggests Galashundi (tonsillectomy) in case the disease does not come in control by Shamana Chikitsa and Shastra Chikitsa.
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