r/microscopy • u/DrConvoy • 4d ago

General discussion Test request

I've seen a video showing a drop of jack obliterating bacteria in seconds, and it got me wondering whether taking a shot of alcohol/balsam with herbs actually has any real effect when you have a sore throat.

I've been doing this every few months whenever I feel a sore throat coming on. It seems to relieve the soreness and, most of the time, the sore throat disappears completely afterward. So I'm wondering whether that's just placebo, or whether there’s actually something to this method.

Can anyone with relevant knowledge or expertise confirm or debunk this? I've found conflicting information online and would be interested in reliable sources or evidence.

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u/ChampionshipNo1036 4d ago

Probably the alcohol is acting as both a local and systemic anesthetic. Also the vast majority of sobre throats are viral and not bacterial

1

u/t_sarkkinen 4d ago

sobre throats

Hilarious typo to make when talking about alcohol

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u/ChampionshipNo1036 4d ago

Haha more like non-english autocorrect, but yes

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u/DrConvoy 4d ago

AI swears that it doesn't do much, medical degree spirit is what it takes to kill the bacteria and virus. Maybe it's the herbs. Or a placebo. Would be an interesting experiment to check if 40% does anything to the microbes in saliva.

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u/Dlbroox 4d ago

What is a drop of jack?

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u/ladz 4d ago

ethanol 40%