Alternative Medicine Treatments For Tonsillitis

Tonsillitis is an inflammatory bacterial or viral infection of the palatine tonsils, two tissues in the back of the throat on either side of the tongue. The infection causes the tonsils to swell, and may be accompanied by fever, sore throat, headache, stiff neck and difficulty swallowing. Conventional treatment may involve nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen and aspirin, and antibiotics, but these drugs may have unpleasant side effects. Herbs may be an effective alternative medicine for treating the infection and symptoms of tonsillitis. It is important to consult a health care professional before starting herbal treatment.

Echinacea

Echinacea, or Echinacea spp., is a prairie wildflower with pink to purple petals native to the Midwest region of the United States. Native Americans used the plant to treat pain, wounds, toothache, colds, sore throat, cough and snake bite, according to plant ecologist Kelly Kindscher. Echinacea stimulates the immune system and helps the body to fight infection. An in-vitro study published in the 2010 issue of Phytomedicine tested an extract of Echinacea purpurea against several pathogens and found that the extract inactivated Streptococcus pyogenes, or Group A Strep, the bacterium involved with tonsillitis. Further studies are needed to determine the active principles and to test these results on humans.

Onosma

Onosma are a group of plants in the borage family found throughout the Mediterranean and Asia. Folk healers in many cultures use the roots for their astringent, demulcent, diuretic and cooling properties. In India, onosma is used to treat hypertension, fever and nervous conditions. Turkish healers use it to treat pain and inflammatory disorders such as bronchitis, tonsillitis and hemorrhoids. Onosma contains flavonoids, ferulic and vanillic acids, alkannin and shikonin; and has anti-inflammatory, anti-pain and antibacterial actions. A study published in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology tested extracts of the root bark from several onosma species. The study found them to have significant, but less anti-inflammatory and anti-pain action than indomethacin, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, but without the gastric damage caused by indomethacin. This study supports the traditional use of onosma for tonsillitis symptoms, but further studies are needed to pinpoint its active ingredients and determine its safety on humans.

Thyme

Thyme, or Thymus vulgaris, is an aromatic herb used in cooking and medicine. It contains a potent volatile oil that has antibiotic and anti-inflammatory properties. Thyme has a long history of traditional use in treating coughs, colds, upper respiratory diseases, and mouth and throat inflammations. The active ingredient in the essential oil is thymol, which, according to "Medicinal Plants fo the World" by Ben-Erik van Wyk and Michael Wink, is a strong antibiotic with 25 times the efficacy as phenol, a powerful antiseptic and disinfectant. In their 2000 book, "Prescription for Nutritional Healing," Phyllis Balch, CNC, and James Balch, M.D., recommend taking thyme to relieve the symptoms of tonsillitis, including fever, headache, sore throat and mucus; and inhaling thyme oil for the pain. Studies are needed to test the efficacy of thyme for treating tonsillitis.