Where it comes from
Gargling salt water is so old and so widespread that nobody can say where it started. You'll find it in home remedies on every continent, and it's still a standard piece of advice from doctors today.
Ingredients
- Half a teaspoon of salt
- 1 cup warm water
Steps
- Stir the salt into the warm water until it dissolves.
- Gargle for about 30 seconds.
- Spit it out. Don't swallow it.
- Repeat a few times a day.
What the research says
- Sore throat reliefWidely recommended
Salt water gargles are commonly recommended to soothe a sore throat and loosen mucus. It's cheap, simple, and low-risk.
Bottom line: it eases discomfort. It won't cure a throat infection.
Who should skip it
- Young children who can't gargle without swallowing.
- Never swallow the salt water.
- See a doctor if a sore throat is severe, lasts more than a few days, or comes with a high fever, a rash, or trouble breathing or swallowing.
Tips and variations
- Warm, not hot: warm water dissolves salt faster and feels better.
- Any salt works: table salt, sea salt, or kosher salt.
- Pair it with a warm drink like honey-ginger tea.
Questions
How many times a day?
Three or four times a day is common.
Can I add baking soda?
Some people add a quarter teaspoon. It isn't necessary.
Does it kill germs?
It mainly soothes and loosens mucus. Don't rely on it to treat an infection.