9 Herbal Teas for Treating Acute Tonsillitis Naturally

Acute tonsillitis is an acute non-specific inflammation of the palatine tonsils caused by streptococcus, often accompanied by a certain degree of inflammation of the pharyngeal mucosa and other pharyngeal lymphoid tissues. It is more common in spring and autumn. This disease mostly occurs in children and young people under the age of 30. As the tonsils in adults gradually atrophy, the chance of inflammation occurring is relatively low.

The pathogens that induce acute tonsillitis usually exist in the human pharynx and tonsillar crypts. Under normal circumstances, due to the intact skin on the surface of the tonsils and the continuous secretion of mucous glands, bacteria can be discharged from the crypt openings along with shed epithelial cells, thus ensuring human health. However, when people are excessively fatigued or engage in activities such as smoking, drinking, and exposure to cold, which lead to a decrease in the body’s resistance, the blood supply to the tonsils significantly reduces, glandular function weakens, and defensive function declines. This allows bacteria to take advantage and proliferate, triggering this disease. In addition, acute rhinitis, sinusitis, upper respiratory tract infections, etc., can also induce this disease.

The main clinical manifestations of acute tonsillitis are as follows: It has a rapid onset with systemic discomfort, chills, fever, and headache. Infants and young children may experience diarrhea. Local symptoms primarily include sore throat and dryness in the throat, followed by sore throat that initially affects one side and can then spread to the other side. The pain worsens during swallowing, speaking, or coughing, and there may also be difficulty swallowing. If acute tonsillitis is not treated properly and persists, it can lead to peritonsillar abscess, as well as diseases such as acute rheumatic fever, myocarditis, arthritis, and nephritis.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), acute tonsillitis is referred to as “acute lacteal tonsil”. TCM holds that this disease mostly results from the ascent of fire from the lung and stomach, external invasion of pathogenic wind-heat, the interaction between wind and fire, along with the stagnation of phlegm. It can also be caused by excessive consumption of spicy food, alcohol, and tobacco, leading to the accumulation of heat-toxin. The appropriate treatment principles are to dispel wind and relieve the exterior, and to clear heat and detoxify the body.

1.Trollius Flower Tea

Ingredients: 10 grams of Trollii Chinensis Flos.

Preparation method: Put Trollii Chinensis Flower into a cup, brew it with boiling water, and use it as tea to drink. One dose per day.

Efficacy: Clearing heat and detoxifying. Used for treating acute tonsillitis.

2.Mulberry Leaf and Chrysanthemum Tea

Ingredients: 15 grams of mulberry leaf, 15 grams of chrysanthemum flower.

Preparation Method: Place the two ingredients above into a cup, steep with boiling water, and use as a tea substitute. One dose per day.

Efficacy: Dispersing wind to relieve exterior syndrome, clearing heat and reducing swelling. It is used for treating acute tonsillitis.

3.Rehmannia and Scrophularia Tea

Ingredients: 25 grams each of Rehmanniae Radix, Scrophulariae Radix, and Crataegi Fructus.

Preparation Method: Combine the above three ingredients and coarsely grind them. Place the mixture into a vacuum flask, pour boiling water over it, cover and steep for 30 minutes, then consume as a tea substitute. One dose per day.

Efficacy: Nourishing yin and subduing fire, clearing heat and detoxifying. It is used for treating acute tonsillitis.

4.Albizia Flower Tea

Ingredients: 20 grams of Albiziae Florum, 15 grams of white sugar.

Preparation Method: Place the two ingredients above into a cup, infuse with boiling water, and use as a tea substitute. One dose per day.

Efficacy: Soothes the liver and regulates qi, reduces swelling and alleviates pain. Used for treating acute tonsillitis.

5.Reed Root and Olive Tea

Ingredients: 30 grams of reed rhizome (60-120 grams if fresh), 4 salted olives.

Preparation Method: Decoct the two ingredients above in water to obtain the decoction, and use it as tea. One dose per day.

Efficacy: Detoxifies and benefits the throat, reduces fire and alleviates restlessness, clears heat and promotes fluid production. Used for treating acute tonsillitis.

6.Radish Sprout Tea

Ingredients: 30-60 grams of radish seedlings.

Preparation Method: Crush the radish sprouts, place them in a teacup, and brew with boiling water to be consumed as tea. Three doses per day.

Efficacy: Clearing heat and detoxifying, soothing the throat. Used for treating acute tonsillitis.

7.Radish and Green Fruit Tea

Ingredients: 1 fresh white radish, 10 black olives, 15 grams of rock sugar.

Preparation Method: Wash and slice the radish, crush the Chinese olive, decoct them in water to obtain the juice, add crushed rock sugar, and use it as tea. One dose per day.

Efficacy: Clearing heat and reducing swelling, soothing the throat. It is used for treating acute tonsillitis.

8.Sour Plum and Green Fruit Tea

Ingredients: 10 grams of sour plums, 50 grams of olives, 20 grams of white sugar.

Preparation Method: Pound the first two ingredients together, decoct them in water to obtain the juice, add white sugar, and use as a tea substitute. One dose per day.

Efficacy: Clearing heat and reducing swelling, resolving phlegm and relieving cough. Used for treating acute tonsillitis, pharyngitis, etc.

9.Luffa Juice Tea

Ingredients: 3 fresh and tender towel gourds, 50 grams of white sugar.

Preparation Method: Wash the loofah, slice it, mash it to extract the juice, add white sugar, and use it as a tea substitute for drinking. One dose per day.

Efficacy: Clearing heat and detoxifying, reducing swelling and relieving pain. It is used for treating acute tonsillitis, pharyngitis, and sore throat with swelling and pain.