Just Ask Terry

I have been suffering from throat issues almost my entire life.

Q. Hi Terry, “I have been suffering from throat issues almost my entire life. Sometimes I get very serious infections in the pockets of my tonsils, and it’s very painful. What should I try?” — Martha R., Lancaster, PA

A. Dear Martha, First and foremost, I believe diet is an extremely important factor. I would start removing dairy products (with the exception of cream, butter, and eggs), sugar, soft drinks, and all grains from your diet. Your diet should consist of animal proteins from beef, bison, lamb, poultry, and fish, with non-starchy vegetables and fruits. You can also eat nuts, seeds, and berries. While I understand this takes a huge effort on your part, it can make a real difference. For more information, you can review my diet here or watch my webinar. For additional information, I also recommend checking out the following websites: www.ketogenic-diet-resource.com and www.drperlmutter.com. You should also read the books, Grain Brain by Dr. David Perlmutter and Wheat Belly by Dr. William Davis.

I encourage you to recommend any supplement recommendations with your primary care physician, as they may have additional recommendations.

Tonsil pockets can become an issue when bacteria, mucus, and other debris become trapped. This can lead to an infection that is painful and interferes with eating and drinking. To control the pathogenic (bad) bacteria in our mouth, I recommend a combination of clove, thyme, cinnamon, and oregano oils. These ingredients have been proven to help destroy harmful bacteria without impacting the beneficial bacteria.

Now, not all plant oils should be taken internally, but the specific kind of plant oils I recommend are “fingerprinted” to ensure purity and safety. These concentrated plant oils are up to 100 times stronger than ordinary dry herbs and they’re extremely safe.

I would take 75 mg total of these oils twice per day. You could swallow the encapsulated oils, or swish them around in your mouth for a minute, and then swallow.

I also think you could benefit by adding eucalyptus, myrtle, and lemon zest oils. Eucalyptus oil aids in decongesting the sinuses and may help prevent mucus and bacteria from collecting in tonsil pockets. It has been traditionally used to treat runny nose, cough, and sore throat. Myrtle essential oil has been well-studied and sold in Europe for more than 75 years, specifically for respiratory and sinus conditions. Lemon zest oil has additional sinus-clearing power and is a potent antibacterial. These oils help the cilia (tiny, hair-like projections that line our lungs, nose, and throat) push mucus out of the sinus cavities so it can be removed from the body. I would take 325 mg total of eucalyptus, myrtle, and lemon zest oils three times per day.