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Gingko Herbal Glossary | Medicinal Glossary | Herbal Preparations

Tonsillitis




    Definition

    Inflammation of the tonsils and the lymph glands located on either side of the entrance to the throat.
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    Causes

    Usually caused by viruses or bacteria, often streptococcal organisms which are present when the body's resistance is lowered. May be caused by improper diet that is high in carbohydrates and low in protein and other nutrients. Each time the tonsils become inflamed, scar tissue accumulates on the tonsils and the condition becomes more difficult to cure.
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    Symptoms

    The doctor should be consulted to determine what type of sore throat you have. Symptoms of tonsillitis include soreness, redness, pain and swelling of the tonsils, difficulty in swallowing, hoarseness, and coughing. Headache, earache, fever and chills, nausea and vomiting, nasal obstruction and discharge, and enlarged lymph nodes throughout the body are possible symptoms.
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    Treatment

    Catnip tea enemas reduce fever. For fever, pain, and swelling use 1/4 tsp. of lobelia extract every 2 hrs. until the fever is down. Make echinacea tea and drink as much as you can. Rest and drink plenty of fluids. Tea for inflamed tonsils and mucous membranes: Mallow leaves, Mullein, Black elder leaves; use equal amounts. Soak mallow leaves in cold water for 8 hrs. Steep the others in boiling water. Mix the two teas and use as a gargle.
    Herbal Medicine Formulas and Recipes
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    Nutrients

    Vitamin C, 3,000-5,000 mg. Zinc Gluconate lozenges, dissolved in mouth every 2-3 hrs., is an immunostimulant that aids in healing. Acidophilus, capsules or liquid, taken as directed on the label, is necessary if antibiotics are used. Cod Liver Oil taken as directed on the label, aids immune response and healing of tissues. Proteolytic enzymes taken between meals, aids in reducing inflammation. Vitamin A emulsion, 10,000 IU for 5 days; 50,000 IU for 1 week; then 25,000 IU, is needed for repair of tissue, and aids healing. Vitamin B complex helps reduce swelling.
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    Herbs

    • Alum root
    • Angelica
    • Betony
    • Bistort
    • Bittersweet
    • Catnip tea for fever
    • Chamomile
    • Cinquefoil
    • Cleavers
    • Comfrey
    • Cudweed, marsh
    • Dayflower, asiatic
    • Echinacea,
    • Elder, black
    • Elm, slippery
    • Figwort
    • Fire weed
    • Golden seal
    • Gotu kola
    • Indigo, wild
    • Isatis
    • Lemon
    • Licorice
    • Lobelia
    • Lovage
    • Mallow
    • Mullein
    • Oak white, bark
    • Pau d'arco
    • Peppermint
    • Pepper, red
    • Persimmon bark
    • Pine, white
    • Poke root
    • Prickly-ash, northern
    • Pussy willow bark
    • Red root
    • Rhubarb
    • Rose flowers
    • Rowan
    • Sage
    • Sassafras
    • Thyme
    • Walnut, black
    • Wormseed
    Use the teas strong, gargle every few minutes and swallow a mouthful.
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    Recommendations

    A cleansing juice fast for 3 days with vegetable broth. Use warm salt water gargle. Do not smoke.
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    Bibliography

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