Larynx is the voice box, and an inflammation of this box is called laryngitis. A bacterial/viral infection or extreme strain on the vocal cords causes laryngitis. A hoarse or a weak voice is the most common symptom of laryngitis. In some cases, people cannot talk at all. More often than not, it is accompanied by a sore throat and a dry cough.
Laryngitis could last anywhere from 3 days to 2 weeks. However, if it goes beyond 2 weeks, it might be cause for concern, and you need to consult a qualified physician to get it checked out. Chronic laryngitis could cause you trouble breathing, high fever, extreme difficulty swallowing food, loss of appetite, and even coughing up blood.
Suggested read: 14 highly effective home remedies to cure a common cold
Common causes of laryngitis
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The most common cause of laryngitis include:
- Cold
- Yelling/shouting at an extremely loud voice
- Singing/speaking aloud for an extended period of time
- Chronic irritation of larynx
- Excessive coughing or as a result of conditions like bronchitis, influenza, whooping cough, measles, or pneumonia
- Smoking
- Excessive consumption of alcohol
- Polluted environs
- Viral/bacterial/fungal infection
- Exposure to certain chemicals/smoke
Home remedies for laryngitis
There are many home remedies for laryngitis that help alleviate the symptoms and provide relief. Take a look:
1. Aloe vera
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Aloe vera contains anti-bacterial properties, along with antioxidants that help in reducing the inflammation and irritation of the throat.
Remedy
- In a clean bowl, mix together 2 teaspoons each of fresh aloe vera gel and honey. Consume this once every day for relief.
2. Apple cider vinegar
Apple cider vinegar possesses anti-microbial properties that help in combating infections, thus helpful in treating laryngitis.
Remedies
- To a glass of warm water, add 1 tablespoon of raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar and stir well. Use this solution to gargle several times in a day to find relief.
- Add 2 tablespoons of raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar and 1 tablespoon of honey to half a cup of water and stir well. Then add a pinch of cayenne pepper to it too. Drink this concoction twice every day till you find relief from the pain and inflammation.
3. Cinnamon
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Cinnamon is another remedy that helps in treating laryngitis effectively, all thanks to its anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, and antiseptic properties.
Remedy
- To 1 cup of boiling water, add 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon and 3 teaspoons of honey. Stir well and drink this thrice every day for relief from laryngitis.
4. Clove
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Clove oil is an essential oil that helps cure laryngitis successfully. It contains powerful antioxidants, along with antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties. Not only does it lower infection, it also helps soothe your throat.
Remedy
- In a clean bowl, blend together 1 teaspoon of honey and 4 drops of clove oil. Consume this thrice every day for relief from laryngitis.
5. Eucalyptus oil
Eucalyptus oil possesses anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties, which make it ideal in treating the inflammation caused by laryngitis.
Remedies
- Boil a pot of water. Take it off the heat and add a few drops of eucalyptus oil to it. Cover your head with a large towel and inhale the steam rising up and out of the pot. Do this till the steam subsides. Repeat this remedy twice every day for relief from the irritation and inflammation.
- Suck on eucalyptus-infused lozenges and cough syrups to help with the sore throat.
6. Garlic
Garlic possesses anti-microbial properties, that help combat all the viruses and bacteria that are causing the inflammation and irritation. Additionally, it is also a great natural expectorant too.
Remedies
- Chew on a raw clove of garlic slowly, swallowing the juices. It helps relieve the inflammation, while also helping coat the mucous membranes.
- Take several cloves of raw garlic and chop them up. Add them to a jar, covering it with equal parts of raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar and distilled water. Close the lid and shake the contents thoroughly, followed by letting it sit for about 4 hours. Finally, add some honey to it, before storing it in the fridge. Consume 1 to 3 teaspoons of garlic syrup every 6 to 8 hours for relief.
Suggested read: 14 highly beneficial home remedies for treating bronchitis
7. Ginger
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Ginger is highly effective in treating and soothing inflamed mucous membranes of the larynx, thus providing relief.
Remedies
- Suck on a few candied ginger pieces through the day to help relieve the inflammation.
- If you can stomach it, chew a few slices of fresh ginger for relief from laryngitis.
- Add thin slices of fresh ginger to a pan of water. Bring to a boil and take it off the heat. Cover it, allowing it to steep for 10 minutes, before straining the liquid into a clean cup. Add some honey and lemon juice to this and drink this ginger tea several times a day.
8. Honey
Honey is extremely soothing for an irritated and inflamed throat. It coats your throat, while also helping calm it. Additionally, it helps bring down inflammation, thus providing relief.
Remedies
- Swallow some raw honey several times a day to help relieve the symptoms of laryngitis.
- To 1 cup of hot water, add 2 tablespoons of honey, the juice of half a lemon, and a pinch of cayenne pepper. Cover it with a lid and let it steep for 10 minutes. Sip this tea twice a day for relief.
9. Lemon juice
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Lemon juice possesses anti-bacterial properties that help kill off bacteria and viruses, while relieving the symptoms of laryngitis. Additionally, it also helps loosen any mucous that might be causing irritation in your upper respiratory organs.
Remedy
- To 1 glass of warm water, squeeze the juice of 1 lemon. To this, add half a teaspoon of sea salt and stir till it dissolves fully. Use this water to gargle several times a day to find relief from the hoarseness and throat irritation.
Tip: If you do not have sea salt, you can use regular table salt too.
10. Licorice
Thanks to its anti-inflammatory and anti-viral properties, licorice is an ideal remedy to treat laryngitis. It helps in relieving throat irritation, as well as get rid of mucous, thanks to it being a natural expectorant.
Remedies
- In a saucepan, bring to boil 1 cup of water and 1 teaspoon of dried licorice root. Let it simmer for about 5 minutes, before taking it off the heat. Strain and sip this tea at least thrice a day for relief.
- Suck on licorice lozenges to find relief.
11. Onion syrup
Onion syrup helps in expectorating the mucous in your larynx, while also helping with the inflammation.
Remedy
- Slice a few medium-sized onions. Place them in a pan and cover it with 4 cups of water. Put this on heat and simmer till it thickens to a syrup-like consistency. Add 5 tablespoons of this syrup to a glass of warm water, along with 1 tablespoon of honey and a few drops of lemon juice. Stir well and sip this concoction once a day to help with the inflammation and irritation.
12. Raisins
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Raisins possess many powerful antioxidants that help in treating laryngitis effectively.
Remedy
- Add a quarter cup of raisins to 1 cup of water and bring it to a boil. Take it off heat and allow it to cool a bit, before consuming this thrice every day for relief.
13. Salt water gargle
Salt helps kill of any bacteria in your throat, while the warm water helps soothe your inflamed vocal cords.
Remedy
- To 1 cup of warm water, add half a teaspoon of salt and stir to dissolve it. Use this salt water to gargle several times a day to help with the sore throat and inflammation.
14. Slippery elm
Slippery elm is known to possess mucilage that helps relieve throat inflammation and irritation, by coating the mucous membranes.
Remedies
- Suck on slippery elm lozenges to help with the sore throat and the accompanying irritation.
- Take some water in a bowl and add some fresh slippery elm to it. It forms a gel. Consume this gel several times a day to help relieve a sore throat.
15. Turmeric
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Turmeric is excellent in treating laryngitis, thanks to its anti-bacterial, antiseptic, and anti-inflammatory properties.
Remedy
- To 1 glass of warm milk, add half a teaspoon of turmeric and stir well. Drink this twice a day for relief from soreness of the throat.
Suggested read: All you need to know about treating a dry throat with home remedies
Additional tips
- Keep your larynx hydrated by drinking 8-12 glasses of water through the day.
- Quit caffeinated and alcoholic drinks as they tend to dry your throat.
- Use a humidifier in your room to help keep your throat moist.
- Consume various liquids besides water, like fresh fruit juices, vegetable juices, soups, and herbal teas.
- Avoid consuming spicy, oily, greasy, and/or acidic foods like fried fish, tomatoes, garlic, onion, or peppers.
- Quit smoking as the smoke tends to dry your throat, aggravating the condition. Avoid passive smoking too.
- Avoid drinking too hot or too cold liquids.
- Stop eating chocolates and ice cream as they tend to worsen the condition.
- Don’t try to clear your throat forcefully, since it tends to enhance the irritation.
These are all the superbly effective home remedies for laryngitis that work. For more updates on health tips and fitness secrets, subscribe to our newsletter today!
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