Tonsils refer to masses of lymphoid tissues lying in the back of the throat, one on either side. Tonsils have a protective role and act as the first line of defense against the bacteria and virus that get inhaled or ingested. Inflammation of tonsils, on one side or on both, is known as tonsillitis. Homeopathic medicines for tonsils treat the chronic tendency toward recurrent infections that have resulted in tonsillitis in the first place.

Does Homeopathy have a permanent Treatment for tonsillitis?

Yes, Homeopathy can treat tonsillitis completely. Homeopathy is a highly advanced science that takes the inside-out approach to all disease, including tonsillitis, starting at the root cause and in time, curing the condition without the need for surgical intervention. Tonsillitis is treated most efficiently under the Homeopathy. Homeopathy follows a two-step procedure to deal with tonsillitis. In the first step, these medicines are given to treat the acute symptoms of tonsillitis. In the second step, Homeopathy targets the chronic tendency toward recurrent tonsillitis. Homeopathy medicines improve the body’s immune system and make it strong enough to fight infection quickly. Medicines prominently indicated for tonsillitis treatment are Belladonna, Hepar Sulph, Merc Sol, Calcarea Carb, and Psorinum.

Homeopathic Medicines for Tonsils

1. Belladonna and Calcarea Carb – Top grade Medicines for tonsillitis

Belladonna and Calcarea Carb are among the top listed medicines for tonsillitis. Belladonna is suitable for treating acute tonsillitis. The guiding features for use of Belladonna are red, inflamed, enlarged tonsils and dry throat attended with fever. Swallowing food is difficult. Heat, constriction and lump in the throat may also be felt. Calcarea Carb is an excellent medicine for treating chronic tonsillitis. An indicative symptom for use of Calcarea Carb is the tendency to catch a cold with the slight change in weather.

2. Merc Sol – For Tonsillitis with Burning, Smarting Pain in Throat

Merc Sol is an extremely effective medicine for treating tonsillitis with marked burning, smarting pains in the throat. Excessive salivation is also observed in such cases. There is a constant inclination to swallow. White deposits on tonsils may be present. Fetid or foul odor from the mouth may also be observed. Another attending feature is pain radiating from the throat to ear.

3. Hepar Sulph and Baryta Carb – Best Medicines for Peritonsillar Abscess

Hepar Sulph and Baryta Carb have proved very successful in treating a peritonsilar abscess. The symptoms to look out for before advising Hepar Sulph are quinsy with stitching pain in the throat. Pain from throat may radiate to the ear. The pain is mainly felt on swallowing. Hoarseness of voice may also be noted. The person may hawk up yellow mucus. Baryta Carb is indicated when there is smarting or stinging pain in the tonsils. Empty swallowing usually worsens the pain. A burning sensation is felt in the throat. Liquid alone can be swallowed with ease. Persons needing Baryta Carb also have the tendency to catch a cold easily, with the cold settling in the throat every time.

4. Merc Iodatus Ruber and Lachesis Muta – For Left-sided Tonsillitis

Merc Iodatus Ruber and Lachesis Muta are majorly indicated medicines for treating left-sided tonsillitis. Indications for use of Merc Iodatus Ruber are swollen tonsil with dark red fauces on the left side, lump sensation in the throat and tendency to hawk. Lachesis Muta is selected when the symptoms include swollen tonsil on the left side, a purplish appearance of left side tonsil and throat pain radiating to the ear. Difficulty in swallowing liquids may be observed. Taking hot drinks may worsen the pain. Merc Iodatus Ruber and Lachesis Muta are also the best prescriptions when tonsillitis starts from the left side and shifts to the right tonsil.

5. Merc Iodatus Flavus and Lycopodium Clavatum – For Right-sided Tonsillitis

Merc Iodatus Ruber and Lachesis Muta are significant medicines for tonsillitis of right side. The guiding features for use of Merc Iodatus Flavus are – swollen tonsil on the right side, tough mucus in throat and constant inclination to swallow. Other symptoms that may arise are the feeling of a lump in the throat, relief from taking cold drinks. The symptoms guiding use of Lycopodium Clavatum are swollen right-sided tonsil, sharp pain in right tonsil, mainly on swallowing, ulcers on the tonsils. Cold drinks may worsen the pain in the right tonsil. Warm drinks may relieve the pain. Both Merc Iodatus Ruber and Lachesis Muta are also rated among the best medicines for tonsillitis that starts on the right side and then shifts to the left tonsil.

6. Phytolacca Decendra – Where Pain from Tonsils Radiates to Ears

For treating tonsillitis where pain from tonsils radiates to the ears, Phytolacca Decendra is considered a top grade remedy. The pain worsens from swallowing. Eating hot things worsens the pain. Other indications to look out for before prescribing Phytolacca Decendra are roughness and burning sensation in the throat. The tonsils are dark red or bluish in appearance.

7. Streptococcinum – For Treating Strep Throat

Streptococcinum is an excellent medicine for treating a strep throat infection. The symptoms to use this medicine are enlarged, swollen tonsils, infected tonsils, and recurrent tonsillitis. The tonsils may get infected with purulent matter. This medicine is also useful for treating debility after a streptococcal infection.

8. Psorinum, Tuberculinum and Baryta Carb – To Prevent Recurrent Throat Infections

Psorinum, Tuberculinum and Baryta Carb are very effective in boosting immunity to prevent recurrent throat infections. These medicines help reduce susceptibility to recurrent infections. The person with cold and throat complaints every change of weather can benefit greatly from these medicines. Psorinum and Baryta Carb are also well-known treatments for quinsy/ peritonsilar abscess.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can lifestyle changes help decrease tonsillitis risk?

• Yes, lifestyle changes can decrease the risk of tonsillitis.
• Maintain hygiene – wash hands often, especially before you eat.
• Sharing of utensils should be avoided.
• A person with tonsillitis should cover the nose when he/she sneezes to prevent spreading the infection

2. Why does tonsillitis occur?

Tonsillitis mainly arises from viral infections. Major tonsillitis causing infections include those with influenza virus, adenovirus and rhinovirus. Tonsillitis may also be the result of a bacterial infection. The most common bacteria that cause tonsillitis is Group A beta-hemolytic streptococcus.

3. How do I know I have tonsillitis?

Pain in throat along with swollen tonsils is the first indicating features for tonsillitis. The pain usually gets worse while swallowing. The pain may be one sided or appear on both sides depending upon which tonsil is involved. The other symptoms that may attend are fever, bad/fetid breath and ear pain. White/yellow pus spots may also appear on the tonsils.

4. At what age does tonsillitis appear?

Tonsillitis is more common among children and young people. However, tonsillitis can occur at any age.

5. Can tonsillitis spread from one person to another?

Yes, tonsillitis can spread from one person to another. A person with tonsillitis can spread the infectious agents in the air as well as nearby objects every time he coughs or sneezes. Another may get tonsillitis indirectly by touching these infected objects and then touching his face with the same hands.

6. What does tonsillitis diagnosis involve?

Tonsillitis can be easily diagnosed by getting details of clinical symptoms and by a physical examination of the throat. In case of suspected strep throat cases, tonsil swabs are sent for culture.

7. What is strep throat?

Strep throat is a bacterial infection that is caused by group A streptococcal bacteria leading to inflammation and pain in the throat and tonsils. Strep throat is highly contagious and spreads quickly from one person to another through cough, touch or sneeze. Strep throat is very common in school going children and among teenagers. Major complications may arise in strep throat infection. These include rheumatic fever and post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis.

8. Are tonsillitis and strep throat the same thing?

Tonsillitis is inflammation of the tonsils, the cause behind which can be a virus or bacterial infection. Strep throat is a form of sore throat leading to inflamed/painful throat and tonsils, specifically caused by group A streptococcal bacteria.

9. My doctor has advised surgery for my child’s tonsillitis complaint. Can Homeopathy help?

Homeopathy has great scope for treating tonsillitis. In many cases of mild to moderate cases of tonsillitis, Homeopathy has shown excellent results and helped avoid surgery. These medicines focus on treating the root cause of tonsillitis i.e. recurrent nasal infections, by improving the body’s immune system and thus, making it less susceptible to infections.

10. Are there any complications related to tonsillitis?

Complications associated with tonsillitis include difficulty in breathing and peritonsillar abscess. In tonsillitis with group A streptococcal bacteria i.e. strep throat infection, the serious complications include rheumatic fever and post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis.

11. What is quinsy/peritonsillar abscess?

Collection of pus behind the tonsils is referred to as quinsy or peritonsillar abscess. It is a rare, but very serious complication of tonsillitis.

12. Can Homeopathic medicines treat recurrent tonsillitis as well?

Yes, natural medicines remain very successful in building a child’s immunity. The primary aim of Homeopathy medicines is to build a child’s immunity and prevent recurrent infections that lead to tonsillitis.