Hey gang, always a pleasure to see new faces on the site as the Olive Nation grows by leaps and bounds each day. Means we must be doing something right eh? Nice to know that my personal pain and suffering leaves my readers all the more educated and informed for it.
But in all seriousness, I love my job and my fans to death – I couldn’t picture myself doing anything else even after a hundred lifetimes. I mean, I could literally die today and you bet I’ll be here tomorrow with a new piece on death and the beyond – Olivia’s journey to the afterlife.
But today, I’m lucky not to be recounting some of my ailment tales. The doctor tells me that I’m 100% healthy, even my dentist says I’ve got quite a mouth on me. Which reminds me why we’re here (sorry, my mind tends to wander off – note to self, write a segment on ADD later).
Today, we’re here because my dentist told me about two of the most neglected, overlooked yet incredibly useful tissue masses in the mouth. Not the teeth, tongue, gums or salivary glands, none of that. But rather a silent couple located at the back of the oral cavity who only get noticed when something goes wrong.
I’m talking about the tonsils and the most common condition that often lets us know we have em in the first place – Tonsillitis.
What Is Tonsillitis?
At the back of your throat, you’ve got two tissue masses popularly known as the tonsils. Well, they’re more of a collection of lymphoid tissues, and as it turns out, you’ve got about 4 different types of tonsils. The adenoidal tonsils, lingual tonsils, two palatine tonsils, and two tubal tonsils.
But when speaking in layman terms, (I wonder if it was a woman who coined the term layman… and what the hell was she doing?) where was I, yes, layman terms – let’s just say when used unqualified, the tonsils we generally refer to are the two palatine tonsils.
You may not even realize it, but your tonsils are the first line of defense against both inhaled and ingested foreign pathogens. They engorge with blood to act as filters which proceed to trap potentially infectious germs.
On the surface, they are lined with specialized antigen capture cells that assist in immune responses to ailments like the common cold. Unfortunately, even the tonsils themselves aren’t fully immune; they can become infected and overwhelmed with bacteria or viruses leading to a condition known as tonsillitis.
Tonsillitis is a typically rapid onset inflammation of the tonsils. In addition to the two palatine tonsils, the adenoids might also get inflamed as well. Some of the telltale signs of the infection include tonsil enlargement, sore throat, trouble swallowing, inflamed lymph nodes among others.
While tonsillitis can occur at any age, it tends to be more rampant in preschool children all the way to teens – mainly due to the highly contagious nature of the disease. But not to worry; like all other minor infections in the body, tonsillitis usually goes away on its own within 10 days.
Symptoms Of Tonsillitis
So, how do you know that it’s tonsillitis and not something else? As always, we know that no medical journal is complete without a lineup of all the common symptoms and complications.
Makes us look like we know what we’re doing; which we do by the way. So, here are some of the signs and symptoms of tonsillitis to watch out for:
- Swollen, inflamed tonsils with pus filled spots
- Red tonsils with yellow or white coating
- Painful blisters on throat
- Difficulty swallowing
- Loss of appetite
- Stiff neck (no more rubber necking)
- High temperatures
- Headache, ear pain and fatigue
- Coughing and bad breath
- Chills
- Swollen lymph glands
- Furry tongue
- Muffled, scratchy or throaty voice
- Difficulty articulating
- Nausea or vomiting
- Anxiety and fear of choking
What Causes Tonsillitis?
So far, we know that tonsils are your first line of defense against viral or bacterial infection. Unfortunately, the tonsils are also vulnerable to these same invaders and their infections. So in this case, the phrase those who live by the gun die by the gun couldn’t be more accurate.
The most common cause of tonsillitis is viral infections such as influenza, coronavirus, rhinovirus, adenovirus, syncytial virus and so forth. Likewise, it can also occur as a symptom of the Epstein-Barr virus, herpes simplex virus, or HIV.
Some of the less common causes of tonsillitis include Streptococcus pneumonia, Chlamydia pneumonia, Treponema pallidum, Neisseria gonorrhea among others.
Anaerobic bacteria has been heavily implicated as a possible cause for inflammation. And without needing a room full of scientists, we can already tell the main reason why tonsillitis is more common in children and teens.
Not only do hundreds of our little loved ones congregate everyday at school, but they always seem to be playing and in close contact with each other. That’s the quickest way to spread germs and bacteria. So, now that you know the symptoms and causes of your respiratory woes, what are you going to do about it?
Treating Tonsillitis
Just like the common cold and most of the regular respiratory issues we often get, tonsillitis also tends to go away on its own in about 7 to 10 days. So if you’ve got a mild case, you won’t necessarily require treatment (maybe just some essential oils to make that week a bit shorter and more comfortable).
But if your tonsillitis refuses to let up and seems to be getting worse, there are definitely a few things you can do about it. And of course, treatment will heavily depend on the cause of the infection. Let’s start with what the doctors often prescribe for tonsillitis.
Antibiotics
If the tonsillitis is caused by bacterial infection, then the likely prescribed treatment route will be antibiotics. This includes amoxicillin and penicillin being the top main choices preferred worldwide.
Apart from those two medications, macrolides and cephalosporins are also recommended alternatives for people with allergies to penicillin. Aside from the common side effects associated with antibiotics, it is important to stick to the full course of prescribed drugs. Not doing so could allow the infection to spread potentially causing kidney inflammation or rheumatic fever.
Surgery
In the past, surgery used to be quite a common approach for dealing with pretty much almost anything; even tonsillitis. But today, tonsillectomies are rarely used unless you have a chronic, recurring condition that is significantly affecting your quality of life. Maybe you experience tonsillitis episodes about 3 to 5 times a year.
Or perhaps the tonsillitis come with secondary issues such as hard to treat abscesses, difficulties eating at all, sleep apnea or tonsillar cellulitis. If required, your doctor can perform one of several procedures to remove your tonsils.
From lasers, radio waves and ultrasonic energy to electrically heated needles and excessive low temperatures, there are plenty of ways to perform a tonsillectomy.
But remember, your tonsils remain active all your life, so doctors will not remove them unless it’s absolutely necessary. Most people might not know it, but the negative implications of tonsillectomies far outweigh the benefits.
Can Essential Oils Help With Tonsillitis
Like other common respiratory ailments, essential oils can really come in handy for both treating and relieving symptoms of tonsillitis. These naturally odiferous compounds come with all the medicinal benefits of their source plant matter. This ranges from antispasmodic, antiviral, antimicrobial, antiseptic and analgesic properties.
But while all those properties will help relieve one type of symptom or the other, perhaps the most important of them all is the antibacterial effect that most essential oils have.
You see, most cases of tonsillitis are caused by the Streptococcus bacteria – and the main goal of medical the treatment is usually to defeat this bacteria. Unfortunately, some strains have grown immune to pharmaceuticals and antibiotics, especially if you’re always treating chronic cases with antibiotics.
This is where essential oils come to the rescue as an all-natural alternative to drugs. Not only do they have all the medical properties you need to both prevent and treat tonsillitis, they achieve all this without any side effects to the patient.
That’s what I call the future of healthy medicine. Of course, there are literally hundreds of suitable essential oils all with the power to treat tonsillitis. So we chose only the best and most potent oils for the job. Here’s a quick line up:
Best Essential Oils For Tonsillitis
1. Ginger
Indigenous to South China, Ginger remains arguably the most famous spice on the planet. But what most people choose to forget is that ginger’s part of the plant family that includes cardamom and turmeric.
That’s why they’re so good for your overall health and wellness. Concentrated and harnessed in the form of an oil, Ginger essential oil possesses powerful antiseptic agents that readily kill off any bacteria, microorganisms and viruses.
This makes it a suitable candidate for treating tonsillitis as well as preventing its spread. If you’re still not convinced, research has shown that ginger essential oil serves as a natural remedy for asthma patients, colds, bronchitis, flus, and other respiratory issues.
So it’ll do much more for your throat and lungs than just sort out your inflamed tonsils. That’s why ginger makes it to the very top of our list of best oils for tonsillitis.
2. Eucalyptus
Why don’t you have a quick look at the ingredients on your lozenges over there real quick? No worries, I’ll wait… Chances are that eucalyptus is the main ingredient.
That’s because out of all the essential oils, eucalyptus has been found to possess the most potent combination of anti-inflammatory, analgesic and immunodilatory properties.
This means that not only will it bring down the inflammation associated with tonsillitis, but it will also give your immune system a boost by promoting antioxidant protection.
And since the oil works as an expectorant, it will cleanse your body of Streptococcus bacteria and eliminate feelings of fatigue. But perhaps one characteristic that tonsillitis patients will be glad to have is that eucalyptus oil is analgesic meaning that it relieves the sore throat and pain that comes with the infection.
3. Clove
If you really think about it, the benefits of clove are incredibly impressive, far reaching, yet heavily understated. The benefits of clove essential oil range from reducing instances of inflammation and treating swelling all the way to boosting gum health and clearing acne.
But in addition to being a proven anti-inflammatory, clove essential oil has a secret component that makes it ideal for our purpose.
That’s right, clove oil can be used as a broad spectrum antimicrobial that will keep all those harmful tonsillitis organisms and bacteria at bay. So whether you want to give your immune system a boost before you get sick or after you’ve already got tonsillitis, I’d recommend stocking up on this essential oil.
As a bonus, clove oil boasts of some of the highest antioxidant content that actually reverses damage caused by free radicals to slow aging, degeneration, and of course improve functionality of the tonsils.
4. Thyme
What Thyme is it? Just a corny herbalists joke for you there. But in all seriousness, the abilities of Thyme essential oil are nothing to be played around with. As a member of the mint family and an already established ingredient in the cooking and mouthwash industry, there’s a way you can use Thyme to treat tonsillitis.
Most people don’t realize it, but Thyme is unbelievably rich in antispasmodic, antibacterial, hypertensive and calming components. It’s also one of the strongest antioxidants currently known and supports about three different systems in our bodies necessary for life support.
It’s the presence of camphene and caryophyllene that truly make Thyme lethal to tonsillitis. They inhibit the growth of bacteria buildup and kill off infections before they can take root.
5. Peppermint
Here’s one of the most popular essential oils on the planet and my personal favorite. It’s already a well known fact that peppermint essential oil is the number one option when it comes to treating coughs, sinus infections, colds, inflammation of the throat and mouth as well as sore throats. Therefore, it goes without saying that peppermint will come in very handy if you’re dealing with chronic tonsillitis.
Similarly, peppermint oil also has a secret ingredient – menthol. This gives the oil a cooling and calming effect with invigorating and pain killing characteristics. If you’ve been clearing your throat all day, I’m sure it feels all sore and on fire.
A little peppermint will cool off your throbbing tonsils and alleviate tension both internally and externally. The pleasant, minty scent will also work wonders to revive your lost appetite.
6. Oregano
Designed specifically for fighting infections by medical doctors, antibiotics are definitely a doctor’s favorite tool when it comes to treating tonsillitis. Unfortunately, no doctor will tell you about something designed specifically for the same purpose by Mother Nature. That’s right, I’m talking about Oregano essential oil, nature’s own underutilized medicine.
Research shows that this plant derived essential oil might actually rival a wide range of antibiotics when it comes to preventing and treating tonsillitis.
That’s because it contains antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal, and antimicrobial properties. But that’s not what really draws thousands of people with chronic tonsillitis to Oregano. Nope, it’s because Oregano oil is far less unlikely to cause all those nasty side effects associated with antibiotics and prolonged use.
Best Essential Oil Recipes For Tonsillitis
Recipe 1: Salt Water Gargle
What you need:
- 2 drops Garlic essential oil
- Drop of Frankincense essential oil
- Mug of hot water
- 4 teaspoons of sea salt
Method:
You know your remedy is really natural if you can make it from the comfort of your home – no patent required. With sore throats, a salt gargle is always recommended to help kill off bacterial and try to make the mouth a sterile environment.
So with tonsillitis, you can see why this remedy would be golden. We just gave a regular salt gargle a much needed boost by adding some garlic or frankincense essential oil.
Start by mixing the sea salt with your hot water and stir until it dissolves. While still stirring, add in the garlic oil and move on to the bathroom sink. Take a nice deep mouthful (careful not to burn yourself), tilt your head up, gargle away and spit it out. Remember not to swallow it. Repeat until cup of water is empty, do this every morning and night until the tonsillitis clears.
Recipe 2: Essential Oil VapoRub for Chronic Tonsillitis
Essential oils:
- 6 drops Clove
- 4 drops Eucalyptus
- 4 drops Black Pepper
- 2 drops Peppermint
- 2 drops Oregano
- Quarter cup shea butter
Method
With tonsillitis, two symptoms are almost always guaranteed. One of them is the inflammation of the tonsils and the other is difficulty swallowing. What’s more, both those symptoms come with quite a great deal of pain and discomfort.
That’s why I’ve whipped up this here homemade vapor rub to help combat all the above symptoms. Tee off by mixing up the shea butter with the essential oils as indicated above. Remember not to use cutlery to avoid ingesting the oils. Next, transfer the mixture to a salve tin and flatten it out or just pour into small molds for taking with you.
Use daily to rub over the tonsils, throat, neck, behind ears, over the chest and on your back.
Recipe 3: Cooling Tonsillar Blend
Essential oils:
- 5 drops Ginger
- 3 drops Peppermint
- 2 drops Lemongrass
- Fractionated coconut oil (carrier oil)
Method
If you have chronic tonsillitis, then chances are that the symptoms are just as bad in the day as they are a night. To combat the swelling, reddening and soreness, it pays to have a cooling blend at hand.
To make use of this recipe, mix in the essential oils drop by drop in a non-reactive bowl with the fractionated coconut oil. Shake the mixture gently to make sure all the oils are combined before applying on the neck, throat, chest and back.
Recipe 4: Oregano Essential Oil Capsules
Ingredients:
- 1 drop Oregano essential oil (food grade)
- Olive oil
- 00 veggie capsules
Method
First off, let me start by saying that ingesting essential oils is not really a recommended way of making use of these oils. That is unless your symptoms are severe, unyielding and affecting your day to day activities.
But even then, you have to make sure the oils are USDA certified organic as well as GRAS, GMO, and heavy metal free. Fortunately, I keep a healthy stock of all these certified oils. So for this recipe, start by adding 1 drop of oregano essential oil into vegetable capsules and then top it up with olive oil. Take one capsule after meals everyday for a week until tonsillitis clears.
Recipe 5: Tonsillitis Night Time Diffuser Blend
Essential oils:
- 2 drops Eucalyptus
- 3 drops Clove
- 2 drops Lavender
- 3 drops Thyme
- Diffuser
Method
One of the major complaints I get from people with chronic tonsillitis is the inability to sleep at night. Not only from the pain and insomnia, but also from instances of sleep apnea.
So, I’ve cooked up a recipe that will knock you out at night and give you sweet, uninterrupted dreams. For an even more pleasant smell, you can use more lavender. Start by dripping the essential oils as indicated in your diffuser and proceed to diffuse as normal. Repeat every night until symptoms improve.
Conclusion
We’ve come to the end of yet another highly engaging and informative segment, Hopefully, you now have a better understanding of what tonsillitis is, it’s causes as well as what to do to prevent the infection.
And if you’re already suffering from it, be patient; tonsillitis tends to go away on its own within just 10 days. And if you feel that’s too long, then it’s better to make use of essential oils instead of rushing for antibiotics and other pharmaceuticals. Might just save yourself a world of hurt from side effects and complications associated with prolonged use of some of these drugs.
