How to Use Salty Foods to Soothe Sore Throats and Support Your Body
Ever wonder why your mom always told you to gargle salt water when you had a sore throat? Turns out, she wasn’t just being old-fashioned👵 - there’s real science (and centuries of Chinese medicine wisdom) behind it.
In Chinese medicine, the salty flavor is known for softening lumps, knots, and hardened tissues, like swollen lymph nodes, and even supporting the body’s natural detox pathways. The best part? Salt is accessible to everyone.
In this post, I’ll share not just the benefits of salty flavors but also which salty foods to eat and how to add them to your daily diet with ease.
Top Benefits of the Salty Flavor
❤️ Softens lumps and knots – Think lymph nodes, tight muscles, and glands. (Kind of like an Epsom salt soak for your tissues!)
🌀 Supports digestion – Helps ease constipation, bloating, and abdominal discomfort.
😷 Soothes sore throats – The classic salt water gargle works!
🌱 Supports detox – Salt’s osmotic effects draw fluids out of tissues, and it also has mild antimicrobial properties.
🍽️ Boosts appetite – Ever notice how hard it is to stop at just one salty chip?
Salt sometimes gets a bad reputation, especially for blood pressure concerns. Moderation is key.
Who Should Be Cautious with Salt
People who may need to watch their salt intake include:
Those with high blood pressure
People struggling with weight management or lethargy
Anyone with prolapse conditions
8 Salty Foods to Add to Your Diet
Sea salt
Seaweed
Barley and millet (naturally salty flavors)
Soy sauce
Pickles
Miso
Umeboshi (Japanese salted plums)
Chinese food therapy is all about balance. Too much of any flavor—salty included—can create imbalance.
My Favorite Salty Dish
As a kid, one of my favorite soups my Korean mom made was Meyokguk—a savory seaweed soup in a salty beef broth. Beyond delicious, it’s a perfect example of salty foods supporting the body. You can find the recipe on Maaangchi’s website (she’s an adorable Korean lady) [here].
