Chronic Tonsillitis — Alternatives to Surgery
Table of Contents
The suffering of recurrent tonsillitis
When tonsillitis recurs four to five times or more per year, a tonsillectomy is often recommended. With a swollen throat that makes swallowing painful, high fevers, and the need for repeated antibiotics, surgery starts to look unavoidable. However, the tonsils serve as the body's first line of immune defense, so preserving them whenever possible is preferable.
Underlying causes of frequent tonsil swelling
Korean medicine analyzes recurrent tonsillitis as Lung-Stomach yin deficiency (肺胃陰虛) combined with flaring of deficiency-fire (虛火上炎).
- Lung-Stomach yin deficiency: A lack of fluids in the Lung and Stomach systems leaves the throat dry and reduces resistance to bacteria.
- Flaring of deficiency-fire: Internal deficiency-heat rises upward and inflames the tonsils. It worsens with poor sleep or overwork.
- Qi deficiency (氣虛): Overall immunity is reduced, leaving the patient more vulnerable to infection than others under the same conditions.
Korean medicine treatment approach
- Acute phase: Eun-gyo-san (Yin Qiao San) and Gam-gil-tang are used to clear heat and calm throat inflammation.
- Remission phase: Yang-eum-cheong-pye-tang and Saeng-maek-san replenish Lung-Stomach yin and strengthen immunity.
- Acupuncture: Stimulates throat-related points such as Shaoshang (LU11), Hegu (LI4), and Quchi (LI11).
- Herbal gargle: Gargling with a decoction of honeysuckle (Lonicera) and licorice helps disinfect the throat.
It is worth trying before surgery
Korean medicine treatment for chronic tonsillitis usually requires two to three months of consistent care. By reinforcing constitutionally weak areas, both the frequency and severity of flare-ups decrease. We recommend trying constitutional Korean medicine treatment before deciding on surgery.