Cold & cough8 min
Clove and Salt Warm Gargle
One clove boiled in water with a pinch of salt, cooled until warm, gargled, and spat out.
A clove salt gargle you spit out
One clove simmered in a cup of water with a pinch of salt becomes a warm gargle for a scratchy throat. It has to cool before it touches the mouth. Every sip is gargled and spat out. Nothing in this cup is meant to be swallowed.
Young children who cannot gargle and spit reliably should not use it. It does not cure a throat infection. Fever, trouble swallowing, or a cough beyond a few days needs a doctor. Make a fresh cup each time.
Ingredients
- 1 clove
- A pinch of salt
- 1 cup water
How to prepare
- Boil the clove in the water for five minutes. Stir in the salt.
- Cool until warm, not hot, and strain out the clove.
How to use
- Take a sip, gargle for a few seconds, and spit it out. Repeat until you wish to stop.
- Do not swallow the gargle.
- Once or twice a day is enough. A throat that stays sore beyond a few days needs a doctor.
Helpful habits
- If it feels too strong, add a little more warm water.
- Use a fresh clove each time. Do not save leftover gargle.
Precautions
- This gargle is spat out. Do not drink it.
- Not for young children who cannot gargle and spit reliably.
- It does not cure a throat infection. Fever, trouble swallowing, or a cough beyond a few days needs a doctor.
Frequently asked questions
Can the gargle be swallowed?
- No. Spit every sip out.
How hot should it be?
- Warm, never hot. Let it cool before it nears the mouth.
Does a clove gargle cure a sore throat?
- No. It is only a warm rinse you spit out. Lasting pain needs a doctor.
