How does chamomile help with sore throat in children and adults?

Friends, we can find out the beneficial properties of chamomile for sore throat only by understanding what kind of disease it is and how it is generally treated. Let us note right away that medicinal herbs can only be an auxiliary therapy that relieves painful symptoms. If you decide to treat a sore throat exclusively with “traditional methods”, at best you will develop chronic tonsillitis (permanently enlarged tonsils, food particles getting on them, bad breath), at worst – a complication on the heart or kidneys.

How dangerous is angina and how to treat it?

Sore throat, or acute tonsillitis, is a lesion of the upper respiratory tract (lymphatic pharyngeal ring) by a bacterial (in rare cases, viral) infection. The causative agent of the disease is streptococcus (or staphylococcus) - a bacterium resistant to an acidic environment. Not a single medicinal plant contains so many antibacterial elements to fight streptococcus or staphylococcus.

If you are diagnosed with “acute tonsillitis” or tonsillitis, you can only be cured with antibiotics, and in rare cases with antiviral or antifungal drugs.

Ampicillin in various commercial forms is still considered the most effective. If a sore throat is not cured, the bacterium is literally “prescribed” in this area, and at the slightest drop in immunity it immediately makes itself felt with acute pain in the throat. As a result, a person may suffer from this disease several times a year. For example, in the off-season, when the body’s natural protective functions weaken.

The danger of sore throat is that it can provoke diseases such as:

• acute otitis media;
• arthritis;
• sinusitis;
• abscess of the peripharyngeal region;
• laryngitis in acute form;
• meningitis;
• sepsis;
• glomerulonephritis (acute kidney inflammation).

If an infection enters the chest, the heart muscle may be damaged by the waste products of the bacterium.

This information is not needed for fear of the disease, but for common sense in treatment. Sore throat in most cases is caused by microorganisms, which can only be destroyed by the appropriate group of antibiotics. The risks are too high for exclusive herbal treatment.

The importance of breastfeeding

Rapid growth and development in infancy, the formation and formation of all organs and systems, building and improving their functions require a full supply of basic nutrients and nutrients. The nutrition of a child in the first year of life determines the state of his health not only during this period of time, but throughout his entire life. Evolutionarily, a balance has developed between the mother’s body’s ability to satisfy the child’s nutritional needs and the baby’s body’s ability to absorb the necessary nutrients as completely as possible. Breast milk not only helps the baby develop important life cycles, such as sleep and wakefulness, but also resists a number of diseases. The role of breast milk in the prevention of acute and chronic infections in children has been confirmed. Breastfeeding is associated with a decrease in the incidence of otitis media, gastrointestinal and respiratory tract infections.

What does chamomile have to do with it?

This is a herb that can be called indispensable for sore throat. And all thanks to its antiseptic and other properties. Once on the tonsils, the active substances destroy the waste products of bacteria. As a result:

• pain decreases;
• the amount of plaque decreases;
• breathing and speech become easier.

One of the important substances in chamomile is chamazulene, a product of organic chemistry. The element is an excellent anesthetic and sedative. That is, by rinsing the throat with an infusion or decoction of chamomile, taking the brewed herb internally, you can achieve a general relief of the disease and improve your condition.

In addition, according to the statements and experiments of Academician of the Soviet Academy of Sciences Grossheim, chamomile has the highest concentration of vitamins A and C. In addition to them, dried flowers are rich in the following microelements:

• potassium;
• magnesium;
• calcium;
• chlorine;
• phosphorus;
• silicon dioxide.

That is, proper use of chamomile can become an additional source of beneficial vitamins and minerals. This is especially necessary for sore throat, since during the fight against the disease the body’s strength is depleted.

Grodno Regional Children's Clinical Hospital

Details Published 01 July 2016

Pulmonologist (head of department) of the Healthcare Institution "GODKB", chief freelance specialist of the health department of the Grodno Regional Executive Committee for Pulmonology Marushko I.V. A child has a red throat. Where to run and what to do? Many people probably know: often in order to assess your child’s immunity status you just need to look at his throat. A child’s red throat is a warning sign that should not be ignored, but you need to know how to deal with this scourge. How to look at a child's throat? To do this you will need a thoroughly washed teaspoon. Stand in front of the window, ask the child to open his mouth wide and gently press the handle of the spoon onto his tongue. Do not push it too deep, this may cause a gag reflex. Causes and treatment tactics. A red throat and fever can be due to either a viral or bacterial infection. To determine treatment tactics, this must be accurately established, because some drugs can help, while others will be completely useless. Selecting medications for children is not easy, since many of the drugs that are successfully used by adults are contraindicated for children, or do not have all the necessary properties. In most cases, throat diseases cause erosive damage to the mucous membrane of the oropharynx and the appearance of epithelial defects. The faster these defects are eliminated, the faster the unpleasant symptoms will disappear and recovery will occur. Conventional drugs are not able to restore the damaged integrity of the mucous membranes of the oropharynx. For ARVI, antibiotics will be absolutely useless. For viral infections, antiviral and immunomodulatory treatment must be used. You also need to relieve symptoms. To reduce the temperature, you can give antipyretics and restore water and electrolyte balance. If the temperature is very high (above thirty-eight), then it is imperative to bring it down. However, a temperature of up to thirty-eight indicates the body’s fight against infection; in addition, its own interferon is produced. When using all medications, it is worth remembering that some can cause allergic reactions. At the same time, in addition to antipyretic drugs, it is recommended to do the simplest manipulation - open the balcony (but so that there is no draft), and leave the baby in relatively light clothes (do not wrap them up under any circumstances). In this situation, the elementary laws of physics will work, and the body will begin to give off heat to the environment. This will cause the temperature to drop much faster. Don't follow grandma's methods and put your baby under a warm blanket. This situation will only lead to the conservation of heat, but not to its release. If a child complains of severe hyperthermia in one area, you can wrap a container of cold water in a towel and apply it to the body. To maintain optimal water balance, the child needs to be given water more often, since at high temperatures the body experiences dehydration - liquid comes out through sweat. It is best if it is compotes, teas with medicinal herbs, juices, fruit drinks, jelly. To treat a red throat caused by a viral infection, preference should be given to irrigation and rinsing. You can gargle with decoctions of medicinal herbs - chamomile, sage, eucalyptus, calendula, coltsfoot, but only after consulting a doctor. A very effective remedy is a solution of soda, salt and iodine. You need to gargle with this solution every half hour. If the child is too small and does not know how to gargle or simply resists, then you can give sucking tablets - they taste sweet and soften the throat well, eliminating redness. If a sore throat is diagnosed, consult a doctor immediately. Do not delay treatment for sore throat, as this disease can lead to serious complications. Older children can lubricate their throats with oils (eucalyptus or sea buckthorn), Lugol's solution, Chlorophyllipt, Iodinol. Do not forget that oils should be used only if the child has no allergic manifestations to these oils. If a child has a red throat due to a bacterial infection, then the situation here may indicate an incipient sore throat. Usually the process increases quite quickly, a coating of gray-white plaques appears on the tonsils, the temperature rises, but without a runny nose or cough. This is the typical onset of a sore throat. In this case, the child needs to be shown to a doctor to begin a course of antibiotic treatment. Even after reading my article, do not resort to self-medication; in any case, immediately consult a doctor.

How to treat a sore throat with chamomile?

So, we repeat, chamomile can be used as an auxiliary therapy, allowing the body to recover more quickly from an illness. Let's consider the main methods of treatment with its help for acute tonsillitis:

1. Rinsing. Moreover, the standard one for angina has practically no effect, since the medicine does not wash the remote areas of the tonsils, where the largest number of bacteria accumulate. And in this case, the average douching bulb will come to the rescue. It is enough to take a decoction of chamomile inside it and, under pressure, release a stream of medicine to irrigate the tonsils. It is important to keep your head slightly tilted forward.
2. Inhalations. In general, this method of treatment should be used extremely carefully. Let's explain why: chamomile solution is not pure water, in most cases it is not sterile. When using a nebulizer for spraying, the smallest particles of the decoction will fall not so much on the affected mucous membrane as on the bronchial-pulmonary cavity. As a result, such treatment can cause harm, because along with particles of liquid, other bacteria can penetrate into the lungs and bronchi, which can also infect the lower respiratory tract.
3. Inside. Chamomile infusions and decoctions can also be used internally by humans. Chamomile has long been proven to be harmless (in moderation). Taking a decoction or infusion orally will help you quickly recover from a sore throat.

Rinsing

Inhalations

Infusions and decoctions

If you still really want to do inhalation, it is strongly recommended to visit your doctor for consultation.

Passive immunity of an infant

By the time of birth, the baby’s immune system, which performs a protective function, remains insufficiently mature and cannot fully protect the body from infections. Passive immunity, obtained from the mother through breast milk, allows you to compensate for the lack of the child’s own immunity. It is provided by a number of components, primarily immunoglobulins, which perform the functions of antibodies. Breast milk contains antibodies against all those bacteria and viruses that the mother comes into contact with. Because mother and baby are particularly close and share the same environment, these factors give breast milk the ability to protect the baby from precisely those microorganisms to which it is most vulnerable.

How to properly prepare a decoction?

There are several methods of preparation depending on the form of release of the product:

1. Chamomile in filter bags. For 200 ml of boiling water you need 1 packet. Leave for 5–7 minutes.
2. In the form of dry raw materials – 1 tablespoon per 200 ml. Pour boiling water over it and leave in a water bath for 15 minutes.

Afterwards, it is cooled at room temperature and filtered (if these are dried flowers).

Contraindications

Chamomile is considered a relatively safe plant, but you should consult your doctor before using the herb for medicinal purposes. The plant is contraindicated for persons who have an individual intolerance to it. Severe allergic reactions (urticaria, angioedema) are rare.

The plant should be used with caution to treat tonsillitis in children, as well as in pregnant women and people with anacid gastritis. Breastfeeding is not a contraindication for the use of medicinal herbs, but consultation with a specialist is advisable.

Chamomile as part of the preparations

Chamomile can be safely called a universal herb. Its phenomenal properties to relieve inflammation have found use in the form of preparations.

Given the complexity of sore throat, it can negatively affect various functions and systems of the body. For example, taking antibiotics irritates the intestinal flora. And here the so-called “stomach mixture” with chamomile will help quickly restore the gastrointestinal tract after an illness.

The same goes for the nervous system. Chamomile perfectly calms and relieves pain. It is used with other soothing herbs: lemon balm, mint, etc.

Useful properties of the plant

Since ancient times, chamomile has been used in the treatment of many ailments, ranging from burns to nervous disorders. The simple-looking flower contains coumarins, tannins, unbound organic acids, polysaccharides, vitamin C, bioflavonoid derivatives and other useful components.

Essential chamomile oil has the following medicinal properties:

• antibacterial (kills harmful microorganisms);
• antiviral;
• wound healing;
• sedative;
• antiallergic.

Gargling with chamomile for a sore throat helps relieve swelling and soreness of the tonsils, improves the general condition of the body, and prevents the development of fungal infections of the pharynx. Taking the decoction orally helps strengthen the immune system, normalize body temperature and vitamin and mineral balance.

For sore throat, rinsing with chamomile in combination with antibacterial therapy accelerates the body's recovery and prevents the development of complications of the disease. Local exposure to active medicinal components prevents pathogens from multiplying in the folds of the tonsils.

Can other herbs be added to chamomile?

Doctors recommend using the following herbs for sore throat:

• sage;
• calendula;
• eucalyptus;
• St. John's wort.

All of the above plants can be combined with chamomile when preparing decoctions and infusions. The proportions are as follows: 2 teaspoons of chamomile flowers, 2 teaspoons of other herbs, 200 ml of water.

In order not to buy the herb at the pharmacy, you can prepare it at home. The plant is collected during the flowering period and dried in the shade in a suspended state. Afterwards, the flowers are picked and packed into paper bags. Raw materials should be stored in a dry, dark place for 1 year.