This content was originally produced for audio. Certain elements such as tone, sound effects, and music, may not fully capture the intended experience in textual representation. Therefore, the following transcription has been modified for clarity. We recognize not everyone can access the audio podcast. However, for those who can, we encourage subscribing and listening to the original content for a more engaging and immersive experience.
All thoughts and opinions expressed by hosts and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views held by the institutions with which they are affiliated.
Gargling Salt Water Won't Cure Your Cold
Interviewer: Does gargling salt water when you get sick actually do anything?
Dr. Tom Miller, so there's kind of this rumor thing out there. My mom tells me, my wife tells me, when I start, like, talking about how I'm getting a tickling in my throat, I feel like I'm getting sick, they say, "Oh, you've got to gargle salt water. You've got to gargle salt water." And I'm like, "I don't want to gargle salt water," but I do because, you know...
Dr. Miller: Because you don't want to get in trouble.
Interviewer: I'm an obedient son/husband. But does it actually do anything? Does it shorten the duration? Does it actually prevent something from coming on?
Dr. Miller: Well, it depends. Let's talk about does it actually do something. I think, you know, gargling salt water, for some, might soothe that tickle in the throat or that little bit of pain in the back of the throat due to a virus. But in terms of will it shorten the length or duration of that illness? No, it won't do that.
But it's perfectly fine to gargle with it. I wouldn't swallow the salt water. That has its own implications. But if you find that it soothes the back of your throat, you could go ahead and gargle. And the same is true with mouthwashes like Listerine or Scope, if that tends to make you feel better for a little while. That's fine, but it's not going to shorten things, or it's not going to make that virus go away.
Soothing Isn't the Same as Healing
Interviewer: So that salt's not getting back there and causing a toxic environment? Are there other things that people do that they really think are going to shorten the duration, but they really don't? It just kind of soothes things...
Dr. Miller: Throat lozenges, you know, and things for cough that come along with that tickle in the back of the throat. They soothe the back of the throat. They make you feel better, but it's not going to change the duration of the illness or the intensity.
Interviewer: Yeah.
Dr. Miller: You know, throughout the day.
Interviewer: And zinc tablets, what about those? That's another one I hear.
Dr. Miller: It hasn't been proven to really reduce the length of the cold, but it's not going to hurt people.
Interviewer: So if you want to do it, then go ahead. It's not...
Dr. Miller: Yeah, it's fine. I don't say to people that it's going to make a difference, but I tell them if they think it's going to make a difference or if they've tried it and they feel like it's made a difference, I'll tell them, scientifically, there's not a lot of evidence for that, but it's available over-the-counter. If they want to use it, they can.
Interviewer: All right, sounds good. So if you want to use those things, you can if it brings you some sort of relief or comfort. Don't expect it to really shorten the duration. And maybe you do it just to keep your mom/wife happy.
updated: October 27, 2025
originally published: January 31, 2019
Learn More From Our Specialists
Why Preventive Visits Matter Even When You're Feeling Healthy
Your doctor should not just be someone you see when you are sick鈥攖hey should be your health advocate. Learn how a simple wellness visit can prevent ER trips and lead to a lifetime of better health.
Does Gargling Salt Water Help a Sore Throat?
That warm salt water gargle your mom swears by? It might make your throat feel better, but it will not actually make your cold go away any faster. Learn what really helps when a cold hits.
Why Patients Fib and How It Can Hurt Their Health
About half of women admit to stretching the truth when talking to their doctor鈥攚hether it is about exercise, diet, substance use, or sexual history. But these little white lies can lead to misdiagnoses, incorrect treatments, and unnecessary medical tests. So why do patients feel the need to hide the truth?
