Tonsillitis

Tonsillitis is a painful inflammation of the tonsils (usually infectious) that most of us experience at least once in our lives. Common amongst children, this condition causes a sore throat, difficulty swallowing/eating, headaches, fever and chills, enlarged glands in the throat and sometimes horseness or loss of voice. The patient will also have swollen, red tonsils, sometime with a coating of white or yellow spots of pus. It is considered recurrent if the infection recurs a number of times over a few years. Complications can occur if the infection spreads, such as the development of abscess in the throat, or a middle ear infection.

As most cases are caused by viruses (and some by bacteria), the most important part of any treatment is to strengthen the immune system. Andrographis, Echinacea and Olive Leaf are all herbs that have modern scientific and/or traditional evidence demonstrating their efficacy in reducing the time a person is ill. They may also help to reduce symptoms of the condition - for kids try Olive leaf Extract Children’s Formula and for adults Olive Leaf Extract. Ethical Nutrients Immune Defence is also a great combination for acute illnesses like Tonsillitis.

Herbs of Gold Hit Cough may be your one stop shop for this condition, as it contains ingredients to support immunity, soothe the throat and clear any mucous that may be developing.

Pretorius Throat Clear Lozenges lozenges with Thyme, Zinc and Vitamin C help to soothe a sore throat and provide a local antiseptic effect. These ingredients also support the immune function when taken internally.  Marshmallow, Slippery elm, Liquorice, Cloves and Myrrh are other things contained in Herbs of Gold Hit Cough that may provide a soothing or pain-killing effect on the throat. Propolis, as in Comvita Propolis Oral Spray, is also antimicrobial.

As always, Ethical Nutrients Inner Health Plus probiotics and Melrose Vitamin C plus Bioflavonoids and Ethical Nutrients Zinc Fix are essentials to help balance and boost the immune system to fight off nasty viruses and bacteria.

Research Updates - June 2011

Minetti, A (2011), ‘Efficacy of complex herbal compound of Echinacea angustifolia (Imoviral® Junior) in recurrent upper respiratory tract infections during pediatric age: preliminary results’, Minerva Pediatr., 63(3), pp: 177-82.

It’s always good when science backs up our traditional knowledge. A recent study gave a mix of herbs and nutrients to 37 children with recurrent middle ear infections or pharyngotonsillitis. It included echinacea, beta-glucan, vitamin c, arabinoglactan and zinc and was designed to be immune stimulating.

After 6 months of treatment, 77% of the children reported reductions in the frequency of illness and improvements in quality of life.

So if your little one just keeps getting sore throats and ear infections, consider boosting their immune system with some of the products suggested below.

Vive Health Naturopaths recommend the following products for Tonsilitis:

NOTE: Consideration should always be given to individual requirements.  Please consider seeing a qualified practitioner before commencing a new treatment protocol or when combining supplements with pharmaceutical medication.

For more information on Tonsillitis, Sore Throat or to ask a Qualified Naturopath a question Click Here.