View photos of the medicinal plant Salvia apiana (White sage), profiled in Medicinal Plants of the American Southwest.

A passage from Medicinal Plants of the American Southwest:

Inhale the steam from a cup or pot of hot tea for pharyngitis, tonsillitis, and strep throat. This process concentrates Sage’s antimicrobial aromatics to the back of the throat where the majority of the bacterial colonization occurs. This done for five minutes three times a day, along with internal immune stimulating herbs such as Wild indigo, Echinacea, or Myrrh, combined with rest, is a useful plan. Of course the traditional gargle with the hot tea is also useful – it will need to be done every couple of hours to assist in recovery.