Name: Sage Throat Gargle
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 15 min
Yield: 2 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup water; 1 tbsp dried sage leaves; 0.25 tsp salt

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Sage Throat Gargle

GargleEasyPrep 5 minCook 10 minServes 2

Traditional preparation. This is not medical advice and nothing here promises a cure. A warm sage infusion, cooled to a comfortable temperature, traditionally used as a gargle at home.

Traditional preparation. This is not medical advice and nothing here promises a cure.

Ingredients

1 cup water
1 tbsp dried sage leaves
¼ tsp salt

Steps

Bring the water to a boil, then remove from the heat.
Add the sage leaves, cover and steep for 10 minutes.
Strain and stir in the salt.
Let it cool until comfortably warm, never hot.
Gargle a small mouthful for 20 to 30 seconds, spit it out and repeat until the cup is finished. Do not swallow.

Serve with: a glass of plain water for rinsing afterwards.

Always let the infusion cool to lukewarm before gargling, and make a fresh batch each time.

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Tips & mistakes

Always let the infusion cool to lukewarm before gargling — never gargle it hot, and test it on your wrist first.
Make a fresh batch each time; don't store and reuse it, since the infusion loses strength and freshness.
Cover while it steeps so the aroma stays in the water instead of escaping with the steam.
Strain it well so no leaves are left in the liquid to catch in your throat.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use fresh sage? Yes: use about 3 tablespoons of fresh leaves instead of 1 tablespoon dried. Fresh leaves are milder than dried, so you need more of them for the same strength.

How long should I gargle? Gargle a small mouthful for 20 to 30 seconds, spit it out, and repeat until the cup is finished. Don't rush it — the time in contact is the point.

Can I add anything to it? A pinch of salt is already in the recipe; keep it simple and don't add other ingredients. Extra ingredients don't help the preparation and can irritate.

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