Naked Science Forum

Life Sciences => Physiology & Medicine => Topic started by: paul.fr on 03/12/2007 08:25:02

Title: gargling with salt water, any benefits?
Post by: paul.fr on 03/12/2007 08:25:02

I remember as a kid, we were told to gargle with salt water for sore throats. Is there any reason why this should actually work? If yes,in what circumstances and why?

Title: gargling with salt water, any benefits?
Post by: another_someone on 03/12/2007 13:09:48

In principle, the same reason why the Dead Sea is dead - most life will not tolerate very heavy salt loads (a few extremophiles might do, but those that do are not normally a threat to humans).