What are the benefits of gargle in Ayurvedic medicine for throat issues? - #21291

I wanted to reach out because I experiencing this really annoying sore throat for the past few weeks. I know it sounds super mundane, but it's seriously affecting my daily life, especially at work. I found myself hoarse during important meetings, and then I get self-conscious like 'ugh, they must think I'm sick', which is NO fun. I've tried a couple of over-the-counter medicines, but to be honest, they only provided temporary relief, and I'm not a fan of relying on all those chemicals when there might be natural solutions out there. I've been hearing more and more about how using gargle in Ayurvedic practices can help with throat issues and really wanted to know more. A friend of mine mentioned that she swears by gargle with warm salt water every morning and evening, and while I didn't buy into it at first, I’ve started considering it now. Like, do you really think something as simple as gargle could help? I mean, it sounds too easy, doesn’t it? So last week, I finally decided to give it a go. I mixed some warm water with a bit of salt and, oh boy, the first time I tried it, I thought I was going to choke! 😂 But after a few tries, I actually got the hang of it. However, I still feel a bit iffy about whether it’s really making any difference. I don't know if I'm just being impatient, or if it's like, not doing what I hoped it would. Additionally, I came across some stories online where people claimed gargle helped not only with sore throats, but also with reducing inflammation and even fighting off infections. I'm trying to figure out, like, how could something so simple like gargle be that effective? It seems like a bit of a miracle to me, honestly. Has anyone here had similar experiences with gargle for throat issues? What kind of mixtures do you use? Is there a special Ayurvedic potion, or ingredient that you combine with your gargle routine? I stumbled across some references to turmeric and ginger being good for inflammation, but I don't know how they fit together with gargle. Should I be including those? I'm just trying to figure out if I should commit to a routine or if I should keep searching for more solutions. I’ve also read articles on Ayurveda suggesting gargle not only aids throat health but could improve oral hygiene too, but then again, I might just be chasing my tail here. If anyone's got some expert advice or even personal anecdotes that could shed some light on whether I should stick with the gargle routine or diversify my approach, I would really appreciate it. Thanks so much, everyone! Also, just a quick side note: I'm not allergic to salt, but I’d love to know if there are other ingredients I could use if I ever wanted to try something new. Wishing you all health and happiness! Xoxo