Gargling has multiple benefits but it’s not a Covid-19 remedy: Doctors

NAGPUR: The Omicron wave graph is sharply heading north in Vidarbha and patients are being detected in almost every other household, like it was in the second wave. Thanks to vaccination and the characteristics of Omicron variant, the disease is not very serious in majority of the patients. As most of them are recovering in home isolation, household remedies like gargling with lukewarm salt water and steam inhalation have again taken centre stage.
TOI spoke to some citizens who have been gargling daily for years, and expert doctors about how effective these activities can be to fight Covid-19.
Prabhakar Patthe from Malaviya Nagar said he has been starting his day by gargling with lukewarm water for 66 years. “It’s a part of my routine and I feel good after doing it. I am not claiming it has protected me from Covid-19, but I never had the infection in the last two waves,” he said.
Many people consider gargling and inhalation as traditional Ayurvedic therapies. Vaidya Swanand Joshi, who practises ‘pure Ayurveda’ explained it to TOI. “There are two gargling methods in Ayurveda. ‘Kawal’ means less than a mouthful of gargle and ‘gandush’ means mouthful of oil, ‘kwath’ (water decoction) or water. As per Ayurveda, gargling helps strengthen teeth, improves taste perception and voice quality, maintains moisture of lips, and keeps internal cheeks healthy,” he said.
Joshi added, “Gargling is prescribed in certain diseases of oral cavity, throat, nose, ears, and in cough-cold. It can be done daily. It’s healthy but no one claims it helps in stopping Covid-19.”
Infectious diseases specialist Dr Nitin Shinde said gargling is effective against bad breath and has nothing to do with Covid-19. “Studies were conducted worldwide and it was found that salt water did not show any significant reduction in virus titre. I am not against the gargling practice, but there is no point in linking it with Covid-19,” he said.
With Omicron cases on the rise, many people have started vapour inhalation therapies to protect themselves. “Steam inhalation helps maintain better respiratory health. A strong respiratory system can protect damage from Covid-19. But this is not the ultimate remedy,” said pulmonologist Dr Ashok Arbat.
He added, “In case you have symptoms, meet your doctor and get tested. General medication and symptomatic treatment is effective in majority of the patients in this wave. Only senior citizens with co-morbid conditions, especially unvaccinated people, need special care.”
Healthy habits
Gargling helpful in strengthening teeth, improving taste perception and voice quality, maintaining moisture of lips
Inhalation of 2 drops of ghee/oil in both nostrils can be done daily
Inhalation of vapours should be avoided in conditions like dry nose, dry cough and recurrent tendency of nose bleeds
In other conditions, inhalation should not be done daily or for longer period
Both are healthy habits but if you get symptoms of Covid-19, don’t waste time and meet a doctor