A medical professional has outlined her top recommendations for throat gargles to alleviate discomfort during a cold, providing specific measurements for household and herbal remedies.
Therapist Alina Litvinova used her Telegram channel to share a list of the most effective solutions for patients suffering from cold symptoms, focusing on treatments that can be prepared at home. Telegram is a widely used messaging application, founded by Pavel Durov, that functions as a major platform for public broadcasting and news distribution in Russia.
Litvinova said a basic salt solution is highly effective, recommending a precise mixture of 2.25 grams of salt dissolved in 250 millilitres of water. She noted that this specific saline mixture can also be utilised to wash out the nose.
Saltwater gargles are a traditional and globally recommended home remedy for sore throats. The salt, or sodium chloride, helps to draw excess fluid out of the inflamed tissues in the pharynx through a process known as osmosis. This action can temporarily reduce swelling, loosen heavy mucus, and ease the general discomfort associated with an upper respiratory tract infection.
Mineral water and herbal solutions
The therapist also suggested using room temperature mineral water for gargling. She noted that carbonated mineral water is suitable for this purpose, explaining that the gases present in sparkling water have a positive effect on the condition of the tonsils. The tonsils are two small masses of lymphoid tissue located at the back of the throat that operate as part of the immune system's first line of defence against inhaled pathogens.
For those looking to quickly reduce throat inflammation, Litvinova recommended herbal solutions. She specifically highlighted Rotokan, describing it as an inexpensive and effective option, and advised mixing one to two teaspoons of the extract into a single glass of water.
Rotokan is a liquid botanical extract widely used in Russia and Eastern Europe. It is formulated from a blend of chamomile, calendula, and yarrow flowers, which are plants belonging to the aster family that are traditionally recognised for their natural anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and soothing properties.
Despite its benefits, the specialist urged caution when using herbal mixtures. She warned that treatments like Rotokan have the potential to trigger allergic reactions in certain individuals.
Antimicrobial treatments and severe symptoms
Another treatment option Litvinova provided was furacilin. She said patients could prepare a gargle by dissolving two tablets or two packets of furacilin in a glass of water. However, she stressed that this particular treatment should only be used as a defined course of therapy, rather than as a continuous or long term habit.
Furacilin, known internationally as nitrofural, is a topical antimicrobial and antiseptic agent. It is frequently utilised in former Soviet medical practices to disinfect minor wounds, burns, and mucous membranes, including the mucous lining of the throat.
While home gargles can manage routine sore throats, health authorities maintain that certain respiratory signs require professional medical intervention. Doctors from the United Kingdom's National Health Service have recently detailed specific cold symptoms that warrant an immediate visit to a hospital.
According to the medical professionals, individuals should seek urgent emergency care if they begin to experience shortness of breath or pain in their chest. The NHS, which is the publicly funded healthcare system in the UK, routinely issues guidance to help the public distinguish between manageable viral infections, which are typically caused by rhinoviruses and resolve on their own, and potentially severe complications such as pneumonia that require immediate clinical treatment.
