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Natural Laryngitis Treatment
This page looks at natural laryngitis treatment, using herbs, homeopathy, and aromatherapy. It also looks at laryngitis symptoms and
causes.
Your larynx is your "voice box". Inside the larynx are the vocal cords which are two folds of mucous membrane covering muscle and cartilage.
Laryngitis is an inflammation of the larynx, causing it to be swollen and irritated. This swelling causes sound distortions, so that your voice sounds hoarse. In some
cases of laryngitis, your voice can become so faint that it is hardly detectable.
There are two types of laryngitis - acute laryngitis and chronic laryngitis. Many of us have had acute laryngitis triggered by viral infection or vocal strain. Most
cases of acute laryngitis are short-lived and are not serious. On the other hand, persistent, chronic laryngitis (condition that lasts for over three weeks) can sometimes
be an indication of a more serious underlying health problem and medical assistance should be sought.
Laryngitis Symptoms
Laryngitis symptoms can include:
- Hoarseness
- Weak voice or voice loss
- Tickling, scratchiness, dryness, and rawness in your throat
- A constant urge to clear your throat
- Dry cough
- Fever, feeling of lethargy and tiredness
- Difficulty breathing (in more severe cases)
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Laryngitis Causes
Acute laryngitis is usually caused by:
- Viral Infections: Usually, the virus comes from another illness, such as a cold, the flu, or bronchitis.
- Vocal Strain: Overusing your voice, yelling, singing aloud can cause irritation to the vocal cords and result in laryngitis.
Chronic laryngitis is usually caused by:
- Inhaled irritants, such as chemical fumes, allergens
- Acid reflux (gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD)
- Chronic sinusitis
- Excessive alcohol use
- Smoking
In less common cases, chronic laryngitis can be caused by some kind of bacterial or viral infections, cancer, or vocal cord paralysis.
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Natural Laryngitis Treatment
Natural laryngitis treatment include the use of herbs to soothe the throat and reduce cough, as well as homeopathic remedies to reduce hoarseness and coughing. Essential
oils can also be used in various ways to soothe a sore throat and reduce inflammation.
Natural Laryngitis Treatment - Herbs
Herbs that are good for laryngitis include:
- Cardamom: Cardamom contains cineole (also called eucalyptol) which is an expectorant and has anti-inflammatory, and pain relieving properties.
Other herbs with similar properties include eucalyptus, spearmint, rosemary, ginger,
nutmeg, lavender, peppermint and tansy. If you have laryngitis, you may want to make a tea using any of the above herbs and drink several cups of the tea a day.
You can also get lozenges and cough syrups containing some of the above herbs.
- Horehound: Horehound is anti-inflammatory and has been used traditionally to treat sore throat, laryngitis, tonsillitis, coughing, and so on.
You can get a tincture of horehound. Mix 15 to 30 drops in warm water and take this tea 1-3 times daily.
- Marshmallow: Marshmallow contains a special gelatinous fiber, mucilage, that soothes mucous membranes and helps protect them from bacteria and
inflammation. This herb has been used traditionally to treat sore throat and cough. You can get this herb in tincture or capsule form.
- Mullein: Mullein flowers contain consitutents that can help relieve laryngitis symptoms. You can make a tea with one to two teaspoons of the
dried herb per cup of boiling water.
- Slippery elm: Slippery elm has been used traditionally for sore throat. Like marshmallow, it contains mucilage, which coats the throat and
relieves irritation.
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Natural Laryngitis Treatment - Homeopathy
Homeopathic remedies are effective in relieving the symptoms caused by laryngitis. Choose a remedy that most closely matches your symptoms and follow the instructions of
use on the label.
- Aconite napellus: This remedy is for laryngitis that comes on after exposure to cold and wind. Symptoms include a dry stuffy nose with
a hot thin discharge, tension in the chest, a scratchy throat, and a dry, choking cough.
- Allium cepa: This remedy is for hoarseness accompanied by much sneezing, and a runny nose with clear discharge that irritates the nostrils
and upper lip.
- Argenticum nitricum: This remedy is for laryngitis that may be brought on by yelling or singing.
- Causticum: This remedy is the most commonly used remedy for laryngitis, particularly with mucus in the throat or laryngitis due
to overuse of the voice. Coughing is aggravated by chilly weather and relieved by cold drinks.
- Hepar sulphuris: This remedy is for a rattling, barking, loose cough that brings up yellow mucus. The cough usually comes on after the
person is being exposed to dry, cold air.
- Kali bichromicum: This remedy is for laryngitis with a cough with thick, stringy mucus that is difficult to clear. The person may
experience pain at the root of the nose or hoarse coughing. Symptoms tend to worsen after drinking.
- Phosphorous: Often used for loss of the voice and laryngitis, this remedy is effective for a dry, tickling cough that is made worse by
talking, laughing, and exposure to cold air.
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Natural Laryngitis Treatment - Aromatherapy
The following essential oils can be used as part of your natural laryngitis treatment:
- Ginger
- Eucalypus
- Wild Mountain Oregano
- Peppermint
- Chamomile
- Lavender
- Lemon
- Thyme
You can add a few drops of any of the above oils to a hot bath, or a steam inhalation. Put 2 to 3 drops of any of these oils in a bowl of boiling water, drape a towel
over your head (like a tent), close your eyes, relax, and inhale the steam from the hot water for about 5 minutes.
To reduce soreness in the throat, make a drink by adding 2 drops of lemon, and 1 drop of lavender to 2 teaspoons of honey in a cup. Add hot water to it. Inhale the steam,
and sip the drink slowly.
You can also use the following oils to massage all over the neck area and behind the ears:
- 5 drops of Chamomile
- 2 drops of Lemon
- 1 drop of Thyme or Peppermint
- Diluted in 1 teaspoon of carrier oil
Related Topics
Causes of Sore Throat
Sore Throat Home Remedies
Natural Cough Remedies
Natural Home Remedies for Colds
Natural Flu Remedies
Natural Bronchitis Home Remedies
References
Duke, J.A. The Green Pharmacy Herbal Handbook. (St. Martin's Paperbacks, 2002).
Worwood, V.A. The Complete Book of Essential Oils and Aromatherapy. (New World Library, 1991).
MayoClinic.com (http://www.mayoclinic.com).
University of Maryland Medical Center (http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/laryngitis-000099.htm).
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