How does using salt water to gargle work?

Taking herbs and spices is the first step in many home cures when the chill in the air sets in. However, gargling with salt water is a popular and efficient treatment. Ever pondered how it operates?
Salt water gargles are an easy, secure, and reasonably priced home remedy, says Dr. Shrey Srivastav, MD (Internal Medicine), Sharda Hospital, Noida. “They are most frequently used to treat viral respiratory infections, such as sinus infections or sore throats.

According to Dr. Srivastav, gargling with salt water has been demonstrated to reduce sore throat pain and inflammation.

Dr. Tribhuvan Gulati, lead consultant in internal medicine, diabetes, and obesity at CK Birla Hospital (R), Delhi, concurred and said that gargling with salt water is a tried-and-true treatment for a variety of oral and throat conditions. “The saline solution is a great method for relieving sore throats and lowering inflammation since it helps create an environment that is unfriendly to germs and viruses.

According to Dr. Gulati, gargles with salt water are effective at removing surplus fluid from inflammatory tissues, which reduces discomfort and speeds up the healing process. Regularly gargling with salt water could be a preventative measure to preserve overall health and proper oral hygiene.

According to Dr. Srivastav, there is scientific evidence that salt helps extract water from oral tissues, forming a salt barrier that prevents water and dangerous pathogens like bacteria and viruses from reentering the mouth. This decreases the risk of infections in the mouth and throat and, in certain situations, relieves inflammation.

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Additionally, salt’s osmotic action aids in the breakdown of mucus and the reduction of throat congestion. The mild antiseptic properties of salt also help to eliminate harmful bacteria, stopping the spread of infections. Because it’s easy to create and use, this simple yet powerful treatment is a go-to option for alleviating the symptoms of colds, the flu, and other respiratory ailments, according to Dr. Gulati.

For sore throats, colds, the flu, sinus and respiratory infections, allergies, dental issues (gingivitis, periodontitis, and cavities), and mouth ulcers, gargle with salt water.Dr. Srivastav advised “mixing 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of salt with every 250 ml of warm water and gargling once or twice a day.”