This article was medically reviewed by Luba Lee, FNP-BC, MS. Luba Lee, FNP-BC is a Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) and educator in Tennessee with over a decade of clinical experience. Luba has certifications in Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), Emergency Medicine, Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Team Building, and Critical Care Nursing. She received her Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) from the University of Tennessee in 2006.
There are 9 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page.
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Aloe vera is a plant that has been used in traditional medicines for thousands of years. It has traditionally been used either topically for healing the skin or internally for treating digestive ailments. However, gargling with an aloe vera solution can provide immediate relief for painful sore throat symptoms. This is because aloe vera has some anti-inflammatory properties, as well as antioxidant and antibacterial properties.[1] While it may seem strange to use aloe vera internally, rest assured that the American Pharmaceutical Association has stated that it appears to be relatively safe.[2]
Steps
Gargling with an Aloe Mixture
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1Dilute aloe vera gel for gargling. While it is possible to use pure aloe gel as a gargle, this can be difficult. Aloe vera gel is very thick, which makes it difficult to gargle with. Instead, try diluting it a small amount to make it effective for gargling.
- If you are using aloe vera juice for your gargle, then you should be able to use it without dilution.
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2Make a basic gargle. To use aloe vera gel on your throat, you can also mix it in gel form with other ingredients to make an effective gargle. Consider combining the aloe gel with tea or water, for example.
- There are many possible recipes for aloe gargles. One is to combine ¼ cup of witch hazel, ¼ cup of aloe vera gel, 1 teaspoon of vegetable glycerin, 1 teaspoon of lemon juice, and 10 drops of tea tree oil. Put them inside a sealable container and shake well.[3]
- Don’t swallow the gargle. Gargles are not usually supposed to be ingested. While swallowing some aloe vera may be safe, some ingredients such as tea tree oil can be toxic when taken internally.
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3Gargle with your mixture. Take a small mouthful of the liquid, move it to the back of your throat without swallowing it, and then move it around the back of your throat by slowly exhaling.[4]
- Once you have exhaled all of your air, either inhale again through your nose or spit out the gargle and then take in a new breath.
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4Gargle several times a day. If you have a sore throat, you should use an aloe vera gargle as often as desired. It should provide immediate relief for your sore throat, so gargle when symptoms flare up or become irritating.
Using a Stronger Aloe Remedy
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1Consider using a more concentrated application. If you have a severe sore throat, a diluted aloe vera gargle mixture may not work effectively for you. You might consider taking the gel in a more concentrated form or internally, for instance. [5]
- Some people take aloe remedies internally – in other words, they eat it in very small amounts. One recipe is to put aloe gel inside of a jar with honey, onions, green apples, lemon, and witch hazel. Let the mixture sit for a long time. Then, take up to 1 tablespoon at a time, three times per day.[6]
- Even if used in small amounts, pure aloe vera should relieve some of your discomfort while not exceeding the recommended daily dosage.
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2Understand the side effects if ingested. Aloe vera is safe to ingest in recommended amounts, up to about 3 tablespoons per day. However, it can cause some side effects. In particular, it is known to be a laxative. This means that if you swallow the aloe as you gargle with it, or take it internally, it may cause you to have loose stools or increased bowel movements.[7]
- There needs to be more research done on the medical effects of aloe vera. Along with constipation, there is some evidence that it could have carcinogenic properties when ingested in large amounts.[8]
Selecting the Best Aloe
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1Purchase pure aloe vera gel. When purchasing an aloe vera product, check the label to ensure that it is at least 95% whole leave aloe vera. Try to avoid products that have added sweeteners and thickening agents, such as xanthan gum.
- Pure aloe vera is typically available commercially at grocery stores, pharmacies, and online retailers.
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2Buy aloe vera juice. Instead of using aloe vera gel, you can also use aloe vera juice, which is typically sold at pharmacies, natural food stores, and grocery stores. Instead of a thick gel consistency, this product is more liquid.
- A commercial product like aloe vera juice can be very helpful for full strength application but it also can be used in a diluted form.
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3Consider using aloe vera directly from a plant. Aloe gel is great to have on hand for a variety of home remedies. It can be harvested easily from the cut stem of an aloe plant, if you have one at home.
- To harvest aloe vera gel, begin by cutting off one of the leaves at its base. Then cut open the leaf along its length. Once you pull back the outer layer of the leaf, the gel inside will be exposed and it can be scraped out.
- Growing aloe vera at home is relatively easy. You can grow it indoors in a pot with minimal care. In certain climates, specifically those that never get below freezing, you can also grow it outside.[9]
Expert Q&A
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QuestionHow can you treat bad breath caused by a throat infection?
Zora Degrandpre, NDDr. Zora Degrandpre is a Natural Health Doctor and Licensed Naturopathic Physician in Vancouver, Washington. She is a grant reviewer for the National Institutes of Health and the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. She received her ND from the National College of Natural Medicine in 2007.
Natural Health DoctorTry gargling with cooled peppermint or ginger tea. You can also try using peppermint or ginger hard candies.
References
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3200013/
- ↑ http://www.columbia.edu/itc/hs/medical/residency/peds/new_compeds_site/pdfs_new/quick_guideto_homeremedies2-20-08.pdf
- ↑ http://www.aloeplant.info/aloe-as-a-sore-throat-remedy/
- ↑ http://www.columbia.edu/itc/hs/medical/residency/peds/new_compeds_site/pdfs_new/quick_guideto_homeremedies2-20-08.pdf
- ↑ https://www.drugs.com/npp/aloe.html
- ↑ http://www.columbia.edu/itc/hs/medical/residency/peds/new_compeds_site/pdfs_new/quick_guideto_homeremedies2-20-08.pdf
- ↑ https://www.niehs.nih.gov/health/topics/agents/aloe/index.cfm
- ↑ https://ntp.niehs.nih.gov/ntp/htdocs/lt_rpts/tr577_508.pdf
- ↑ https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/houseplants/aloe-vera/growing-aloe-outdoors.htm
About This Article
To soothe your sore throat with an aloe gargle, first dilute some pure aloe gel with a little water. Alternatively, you can use aloe juice instead of gel. For an extra soothing gargle, consider adding other therapeutic ingredients, such as witch hazel or lemon juice. You can also try combining the aloe with your favorite tea. Once your aloe solution is ready, take a small mouthful and swish and gargle it in the back of your throat. When you’re done, spit it out. For the greatest benefits, use your gargle several times a day until your sore throat improves. For more tips from our Medical co-author, including how to use a concentrated aloe gel, read on!
Medical Disclaimer
The content of this article is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, examination, diagnosis, or treatment. You should always contact your doctor or other qualified healthcare professional before starting, changing, or stopping any kind of health treatment.
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