Gargle is a therapeutic practice which consists in bubbling, in the bottom of the mouth and in the throat, a watery solution of medicinal substances, with the aim of dressing the mucous membranes of the oral cavity and throat.
The gargle, intended as a preparation, consists of a liquid excipient (vehicle) in which a substance or a mixture of medicinal substances is dissolved or suspended, to which are usually added corrections to improve its organoleptic characteristics.
The composition of the gargle preparations obviously varies according to the action for which they are intended; in the herbalist sector, the vehicle can for example consist of an infusion or a decoction.
Here are some examples of gargles that can be prepared at home with drugs commonly available in herbal medicine.
Gargle against throat irritations
A simple decoction of marshmallow (ten grams of drug - root - per liter of water), is useful for a calming gargle in the presence of irritation of the throat, thanks to the mucilage and their emollient action.
Gargle sore throat (pharyngitis), tonsillitis
| Plantain (leaves) | 20 g |
| Altea (root) | 20 g |
| Mallow (leaves and flowers) | 20 g |
| Common toxylaggine (flower heads) | 20 g |
| Common flax (seeds) | 20 g |
Gargle: the decoction is used, prepared by boiling the mixture in two liters of water for a couple of minutes; cover and leave to infuse for a quarter of an hour, filter and gargle every 2-3 hours. Alternatively, only use bold drugs in a liter of water. | |
Gargle halitosis (bad breath)
| Timo (aerial parts) | 20g |
| Mint (leaves) | 20g |
| Green anise (seeds) | 30g |
Gargle: pour a cup of boiling water on a soup spoon of preparation, then leave to infuse for about fifteen minutes. Rather than gargling, it is important to do oral rinses several times a day. | |
Always in the presence of sore throat a domestic preparation obtained by infusing equal parts of sage (leaves) and agrimonia (flowering tops) can be useful: pour the boiling water on the preparation about (50 g / liter), filter and gargle many times a day.
Aphthae, stomatitis or blistering of the mouth
| Bistorta (rhizome) | 30 g |
| Calendula (aerial parts) | 20 g |
Gargle: the infusion is used, prepared by pouring 500 ml of boiling water over the mixture of the two drugs; rather than gargling it is important to do oral rinses several times a day. | |
Gingivitis gingivitis
| Sage (leaves) | TM 40 |
| Lavender (inflorescence) | TM 20 |
| Mint (leaves) | TM 40 |
Gargle: pour one or two teaspoons of preparation in a glass of water; rather than gargling it is important to do oral rinses several times a day. | |
