Gargling

Gargling is a common method of cleansing the throat, especially if one has a sore throat or upper-respiratory virus or infection. The physical act of gargling usually requires that one tilts the head back, allowing a mouthful of liquid to sit in the upper throat. Air is then expelled from the lungs, causing the liquid to bubble and undulate throughout the throat and mouth region.

Gargling may be done with water or green tea (as it has been used in Asia1 2), but there are also many specific medicines designed to be used, either readily available at a supermarket or drug store or requiring a prescription from a licensed medical doctor. Home remedies for gargling include a hyper-tonic saline solution of table salt (ratio of solid to liquid varies; suggestion: 1/4 teaspoon of table salt in 8 oz. warm water) and various types of vinegar. Gargling with a solution of table salt is known to provide relief for a sore throat because as a natural dehydrator, salt draws water from the inflammations in the throat by osmosis.

Antiseptic mouthwash can be also gargled to remove bacteria from the throat.

According to modern western etiquette, gargling is a fairly impolite activity during a social occasion or mealtime. It is typically performed in a bathroom at a sink so the refused liquid may be disposed of properly.

References[edit | edit source]

• How to Gargle at Howto.com Accessed July 2007
• Gargle at the Centre for Cancer Education, University of Newcastle upon Tyne. Accessed July 2007

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