Tonsillitis

Lymphatic System

Tonsillitis is an infectious illness, usually caused by viruses and bacteria such as streptococcus. Tonsillitis is a painful infection of the mass lymphoid tissue known as the tonsils. It causes the tonsils to redden and swell. The glands along the throat are also swollen and tender.

Essential Oils:

Recommended Oils: lavender, tea tree, lemon, ginger, roman chamomile

Blends:

*Synergistic blend:

• 10 drops lavender

• 15 drops tea tree

• 5 drops ginger

• 2 drops lemon

Use 4 drops on a warm compress twice a day over the throat area. Also, make up a massage oil using 5 drops of essential oil to 1 dessertspoon vegetable oil and apply over the upper abdomen and back. The essential oils can also be used in a diffuser.

*Tonsillitis Remedy Gargle for Children:

• 3 tablespoons cider vinegar

• 1 tablespoon honey

• 3 drops ginger

• 5 drops lemon

Blend the ingredients together until well mixed and put 1 teaspoon in a glass of warm water

*Source: Worwood Valerie Ann, The Fragrant Pharmacy. Bantam Books 1991

Self Help:

• Take foot baths

• Apply compresses on the throat

• Use body wraps to promote sweating

• Gargle for a few minutes at a time at least four times a day.

• At the first sign of tonsillitis begin gargling with 3 percent hydrogen peroxide mixed half and half with hot water.

Gargling is an easy way to speed the healing of throat ailments; the idea of gargling is to keep a healing solution in contact with the tissues of the throat without swallowing the solution. The simplest gargle is a warm saline solution: one quarter teaspoon of salt to one cup of warm water. Use the warmest water you can comfortably tolerate – the heat increases blood flow to the affected areas.

You can add goldenseal powder, an herbal disinfectant – just a word of warning: goldenseal is an excellent herb, but it is very bitter and should be used only in small amounts. It should also be avoided during pregnancy.

Herbs:

• A gargle of marshmallow tea can soothe a scratchy, burning throat

• Drink a tea with a mixture of Echinacea, calendula, cleavers and chamomile

• Echinacea – helps boost the immune system

• Calendula and cleavers – support the lymphatic tissue in its cleansing work

• Chamomile – calming and helps reduce fevers

To Soothe Inflamed Tonsils:

1 part lavender, 1 part peppermint, and 2 parts sage leaves. Pour 1 cup of boiling water over 2 tablespoons of this herbal mixture. Steep 15 minutes. Strain and drink warm.

Gemstone for Healing:

• Shattuckite

Place on throat 30 minutes daily

Reflexology areas to emphasize:

• Neck – location of the tonsils

• Pituitary – primary endocrine gland

• Adrenal glands – secretes cortisol, which fights inflammation

• Lymphatics – to boost immunity, especially if this is a result of a viral infection