The tonsil area is rich in immune cells.
When viruses and bacteria slip through your mouth and nose, the tonsils stand ready, 24 hours a day, guarding the throat—the gate of your body.
Tonsils are lymphatic tissue. They are made up of four parts: the adenoid, the two tubal tonsils, the two palatine tonsils, and the lingual tonsil. Together, these form a robust ring of defense known as Waldeyer’s ring.
The palatine tonsils have about 15 small spaces called crypts, which increase their surface area to increase the capacity to filter external pathogens.
The tonsils’ main job is to trap viruses or germs from the food we eat and the air we inhale. The tonsil area normally gets more blood flow to help fight off common infections.
In short, the tonsils’ role is to protect their territory—you. If these gatekeepers doze off, the enemy, such as a virus, will sneak in. The tonsils use perceptive senses to guard against invaders. They can identify and eliminate the COVID-19 virus and its variants and thousands of other viruses.
We’ve all experienced the power of our tonsils. A common sign of sickness is a sore throat or discomfort in the throat. While we may view it as a minor ailment, we may not be aware that it’s the tonsils warning us of an immune breach and that we should prepare ourselves for battle.
Essential Role in the Immune System
Our tonsils have a layer of epithelial cells that serve as the front-line signal cells detecting and clearing foreign bodies.
These cells are connected by tight junctions, forming a solid barrier against incoming viruses and bacteria. If they sense that invaders may have exceeded their clearance capacity, the epithelial cells will pass the signal to other immunity troops.
During fetal growth, the tonsils are among the first regions where many immune cells develop because of their strategic location. They develop early, at about the 14th week of gestation.
Recent research demonstrates that, like the thymus, the tonsils have been shown to express T-cell developmental intermediates that resemble those found in the thymus and bone marrow. That finding could have significant clinical and scientific implications because T-cells are a critical type of white blood cells, immune cells that are the backbone of the adaptive immune response.
Tonsillitis: Process of Learning to Become Stronger
Tonsillitis frequently occurs during our younger years, when our tonsils aren’t yet strong enough to combat viruses and bacteria effectively, despite their best efforts. Developing tonsillitis doesn’t necessarily mean our immune system is weak. In fact, it often suggests our immune system is developing and becoming stronger as it learns to fight these invaders.
Recurring tonsillitis during youth indicates dynamics between the tonsils, immune system, and external viruses or germs. Getting tonsillitis doesn’t mean the tonsils aren’t doing their job—it means they are struggling amid the fight. Young tonsils need time to grow stronger. Tonsillitis indicates that the tonsils are overburdened, and it’s a signal for help.
Tonsillitis Treatments and Their Limitations
When the tonsils are exhausted, any method that can help clear viruses or germs, reduce inflammation, or boost immunity will help them recover.
Modern medicine primarily focuses on treating the symptoms of acute tonsillitis by using fluids to rehydrate the body, or drugs, such as pain and fever inhibitors, and corticosteroids to reduce inflammation.
Antibiotics are prescribed if there’s a possibility that bacteria is causing the infection, but it’s often hard to tell just by looking at the symptoms. Moreover, relying on antibiotics can lead to antibiotic-resistant bacteria, which can be harmful. These drugs also damage the microbiome, which plays an essential role in immune function.
Some medications used to treat acute tonsillitis have side effects, such as gastrointestinal bleeding caused by nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and breath suppression caused by opioids.
Removing the tonsils through surgery is sometimes used to treat recurring acute tonsillitis, but it isn’t usually done during the acute phase of the infection and can have limited long-term benefits.
In addition to antibiotics and other medical interventions, natural herbs can help the tonsils fight back and heal. Combining different forms of therapy may result in a synergistic effect because they work through different mechanisms of action.
Tips to Protect Tonsils
Because tonsils play such a significant role in defense against viruses and germs, maintaining and optimizing their function is advisable.
Most viruses and bacteria are transmitted through the air. Our tonsils are easily overwhelmed when we live in an environment with many pathogens.
- One simple suggestion is to keep our living spaces clean and well-ventilated to reduce the risk of exposure. Additionally, avoiding smoke is crucial, as toxins in smoke are harmful.
- Maintaining proper hydration is also a critical factor in promoting throat health. Adequate air humidity and sufficient water intake can help keep our tonsils healthy.
- Food and drink are other sources of pathogens that can affect throat health, as everything we consume passes through this area. To minimize the risk of exposure, eat organic, nutritious, whole foods. Eating plenty of vegetables and fruits supports the basic functioning of our immune system.
By incorporating more naturally derived remedies into our daily routines, we can also boost our immune system and better support our tonsils to help prevent respiratory illnesses.
Synergistic Ways to Support the Tonsils
- Echinacea With Azithromycin
- Green Tea
- Licorice Root, Barberry Root, Thyme, and Oregano
- Dandelion, Mint, and Skullcap
Read full article in Epoch Times