Home Remedies for Laryngitis

Inflammation of your vocal cord (Larynx) due to strain or viral/bacterial infection causes Laryngitis. Your voice will become hoarse or weak. In most acute cases you may completely lose your voice. This usually leads to dry cough and sore throat.

Don't panic if you are not able to talk. The acute laryngitis disappear on its own within a few days to a week. This is neither a permanent disability nor a life threatening condition. The inflammation and the associated pain of laryngitis can be easily alleviated by natural remedies and observing some precautionary measures.

Chronic laryngitis usually needs medical attention as it may have been caused by some underlying condition that may require treatment.

If you are a sports fan and were yelling with all your strength to cheer your favourite team, athlete or a player then you are not likely to feel comfortable the next day. You have strained your vocal cord to the maximum. Your larynx has been inflamed and your voice has turned hoarse or in the worst case you simply can't speak. The sound just hasn't come out of your mouth. Sounds familiar. It is laryngitis.

It may happen even if you had not been yelling at anyone. A viral or bacterial infection may also cause your voice box to malfunction. You would have noticed in the past that within a couple of days or some time more time you get your voice back. The same will happen now. You know you will be normal soon, but you can reduce the pain and agony by observing the following precautions during your laryngitis episode.

1. Speak softly to avoid straining your larynx. Don't whisper. It strains the vocal cords.
2. Speak less. You and the world around you will be happy.
3. Don't try to clear your throat. Let it clear on its own. Any effort put in to clear the throat will strain larynx.
4. Remain hydrated all the time. Drink enough water and other liquids throughout the day to keep your throat moist but avoid caffeine and soda.
5. Avoid all active and passive smoking

In addition to these precautions you can also use the following home remedies to get relief.

1. Honey

Honey reduces inflammation. You can keep half teaspoon honey in your mouth and let it melt and go down your throat effortlessly by gravity. No need to put in effort to swallow. You can also add honey to water and sip it slowly to keep your throat moist. Honey will sooth your throat and reduce the pain of laryngitis.

2. Lemon Juice

Cut a lemon and squeeze out juice in a glass. Add warm water half a teaspoon of honey and a pinch of salt to make a tasty drink. The acidic nature of lemon will work on bacteria and relieve you from the laryngitis pain.

3. Ginger

Ginger is a great remedy for all types of throat problems. Make ginger tea and sip it. It will clear your throat and reduce inflammation of the larynx.

4. Vinegar

Gargle with diluted vinegar. Add two tablespoons of vinegar in a glass of water and stir it well to mix. Both white vinegar and Apple cider vinegar will do a good job, so take whatever is readily available. Vinegar provides a light acidic environment in the throat during the gargling process. Viruses and bacteria suffocate in such environment. You will get instant relief from the pain of laryngitis.

5. Garlic

Cut a long slice of garlic, keep it inside your mouth and suck it slowly. Allicin released from the cur garlic will kill bacteria. Since your mouth will smell of garlic, practice this remedy only when you are not going to attend any social event. You are at home and you don't mind your own mouth smelling garlic.