6 Natural Remedies for Laryngitis

Natural remedies for laryngitis can relieve symptoms caused by inflammation of your voice box (also known as the larynx). Located at the top of the airway to your lungs, the larynx contains your vocal cords.

Irritation or infection can trigger swelling in your vocal cords, which in turn leads to hoarseness in your voice. Some simple measures, like resting your voice and sipping tea, can help. You also can seek relief by using a humidifier to add moisture to the air and avoiding dehydration and dry mouth.

Natural Remedies

Natural home remedies can relieve symptoms but they can't treat an underlying cause of laryngitis. In some cases, you may want to add over-the-counter medications that can help with symptoms, such as Mucinex (guaifenesin) to help thin mucus.

Your healthcare provider can discuss your options with you, but here are a few natural remedies for laryngitis that you can try.

1. Resting Your Voice

Teachers, people who work in sales, and singers are among those likely to experience vocal fatigue, with symptoms of hoarseness and a sore throat due to overuse.

Numerous studies find that vocal rest, including not talking or clearing the throat, is among the most important interventions to relieve laryngitis and other conditions. However, many people aren't fully compliant (even after surgery) with vocal rest. Ask your healthcare provider about the best approach.

2. Drinking Water

Avoiding dehydration is important in helping your vocal cords to recover. Duke University experts recommend 64 ounces of water per day, but you should talk to your healthcare provider if you have a health condition (like kidney disease or lung problems) that could mean intake restrictions.

Try water with flavoring, and foods like cucumbers that have high water content. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, though, because they tend to dry out the vocal cords.

3. Using a Humidifier

Steam inhalation can help to soothe and heal vocal cords. Your symptoms may improve by inhaling steam through your nose for three to five minutes, a few times a day, either from your bathroom shower or even using a wet washrag held over the nose.

A humidifier that keeps the room between 30% and 50% humidity also can help. But be sure to keep the unit clean, and avoid humidifier use altogether if you have mold or mildew allergies.

4. Inhaling Eucalyptus Oil

Dry air can lead to laryngitis symptoms. If you're trying at-home steam inhalation, add eucalyptus oil. It may help ease laryngitis, as well as cold and flu symptoms, sinusitis, and throat infections.

5. Using Lozenges

Throat lozenges that work best include slippery elm, or those containing pectins and glycerins.

An herb believed to soothe the respiratory tract, mullein (Verbascum thapsus) is available in both tea and lozenge form. Certain compounds in mullein's leaves and flowers are thought to act as demulcents that quiet inflammation in the skin and throat.

6. Drinking Herbal Teas

Sipping herbal teas may relieve the symptoms of laryngitis. Options include:

• Licorice root
• Ginger
• Chamomile
• Slippery elm
• Peppermint tea

Always talk to your healthcare provider about herbal products or supplements. In some people, the glycyrrhizic acid in licorice has been shown to cause high blood pressure, so it's important to use products that are deglycyrrhizinated licorice (or DGL) extract.

7. Salt Water Gargle

Gargling with salt water may help relieve symptoms of a sore throat, reduce the level of bacteria and viruses in your mouth, and promote healing.

To make a salt water solution, mix 1/2 teaspoon of salt in 1 cup of warm water.

Perform the following steps for a salt water gargle:

1. Gargle a portion of the salt water for 10-15 seconds.
2. Spit it out.
3. Repeat the steps with the remaining solution.

When to See a Healthcare Provider

Laryngitis symptoms, including vocal changes, can be expected to last from seven to 10 days.

Contact your healthcare provider if you have:

• A hoarse voice and throat pain that hasn't improved
• A persistent fever
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Difficulty breathing

You may need a diagnosis for allergies, GERD, or an infection that's causing your laryngitis. Guidelines for diagnosing hoarseness, for example, recommend a laryngoscopy (visualizing the vocal cords) if symptoms persist for more than four weeks.

You also may need allergy testing and treatment, prescription medication for infection, or in some cases, surgery to remove nodules or polyps if other therapies don't help. Keep in mind that symptoms like hoarseness can be a sign of a serious condition, including laryngeal cancer.

Summary

Laryngitis can occur due to overuse of the voice, an acute infection, or a more chronic cause. Home remedies can help to relieve a sore throat and hoarse voice, but it's important to talk with your healthcare provider about herbal products or supplements.

The use of some home remedies can lead to drug interactions with other medications, or in some cases, should be avoided with certain health conditions. The underlying cause of your laryngitis may need to be treated by a healthcare provider as well.