Home Remedies for Laryngitis
Home remedies for laryngitis focus on soothing the pain, reducing the inflammation and preventing infection. There is no true “cure” for laryngitis other than fully resting the vocal chords and larynx so that they have time to heal. The typical signs of laryngitis, including a hoarse voice or complete loss of the voice, may also include a sore throat and feeling fatigued. Usually laryngitis is caused by straining the vocal chords with overuse or a mild throat infection. If your laryngitis doesn’t get better within four days and is accompanied by a high fever or other symptoms, it’s time to move beyond home remedies and see your doctor.
At the first signs of laryngitis, stop talking. This can be difficult to do, but the less you talk, the more quickly you will heal. Every word spoken stressed the vocal chords, making it difficult for the inflammation to go away. You should also avoid any alcohol or spicy foods.
Are Gargles Good Home Remedies for Laryngitis?
Medical opinion is divided on whether gargling is a good idea when you have laryngitis. Some feel that the right ingredients will soothe the inflammation and combat infection, while others feel that they aren’t worth the extra strain on your voice box. If you do feel that gargling helps, be sure you try the following solutions:
A saltwater gargle should be made of just ½ teaspoon of salt per cup warm water. Any more than that can dry out the mucous membranes. You can gargle with this several times daily.
A 50/50 solution of apple cider vinegar and water also makes an effective gargle that will soothe tissues and provide antibacterial action. If you don’t mind the taste, try to swallow a few teaspoons of the solution to completely bathe the area.
A third option combines warm water, the juice of one whole lemon and a pinch of salt. The acidic nature of the lemon has antimicrobial properties and the warm solution will calm irritation.
Sucking on candied ginger is another way to soothe laryngitis. Ginger is always excellent for any inflammation, so if you don’t have the candied ginger available, try sipping ginger tea three to five times a day. If you like, sweeten it with a bit of honey, which has antibacterial elements.
You’ll find that warmth and moisture are both very soothing and will reduce the swelling of sore tissues, but don’t drink anything too hot or you might have the opposite result. Warm lemonade sweetened with honey instead of sugar is a good option. If you’re feeling adventurous, you could try drinking a mixture of warm apple cider vinegar and water.
A more unusual home remedy for laryngitis comes from the Amish. They slice a fresh garlic clove in half, tuck one half into each cheek, then suck on these throughout the day. Doing this releases an antibacterial substance called Allicin which is effective against strep and other germs. The down side to this is severe garlic breath, but you may feel so much better that it’s worth a few hours of objectionable breath.
Finally, try some warm, moist air to soothe your overworked larynx and voice box. You should let your bathroom steam up before taking a shower and breathe slowly and deeply through your mouth for a few minutes to bathe your throat in moisture and warmth. After a few days of using these home remedies for laryngitis and resting your voice, you should feel much better.