Humans have been gargling, by some accounts, for 2,500 years. And why not? It’s been a simple remedy for relieving the symptoms of a sore throat long before the advent of modern health care and the insurance co-pay.
Sometimes, it’s helpful to go back to basics.
Research from the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston suggests gargling and rinsing your nasal passages with salt water could alleviate COVID-19 symptoms.
And even that small advantage could keep you out of a hospital bed.
Their study followed 55 participants infected with COVID-19 who gargled with either a third or a full tablespoon of salt mixed in 8 ounces of water for two weeks. Volunteers also rinsed their nasal passages.
Then, scientists compared results with a group of more than 9,300 people who did neither.
The gargling group was hospitalized at a significantly lower rate than the nongarglers. The amount of salt in the water appeared to make no difference.
The idea is that washing out the throat and nasal passages reduces the load of virus patients carry. Physicians have generally found that people with higher viral loads tend to have more severe symptoms.
Investigators caution that more research is needed to confirm their results. And they say the findings should not be used as a reason to skip a COVID-19 vaccine. Vaccinations remain the best way to protect yourself from the coronavirus.
Researchers also point out it is a good idea to make sure the saline solution is sterile. The best way to ensure that is by boiling the water first. Let it cool, of course, before using it.
You want to rid yourself of the virus, not your taste buds.