Laryngitis
Laryngitis is the inflammation of the vocal cords that can result in either hoarseness or complete voice loss. It is usually accompanied by a dry, sore throat.
Symptoms
Symptoms include a dry, sore throat, swelling, pain and hoarseness. In bad cases, the voice may be reduced to a whisper. Coughing on inhalation or a cough that is initially dry and later produces phlegm.
Causes
This ailment may be caused by overuse of the voice, or by bacterial or viral infection. Chronic cases may be caused by persistent irritation from smoking or alcohol.
Cautions
Chronic laryngitis may be a symptom of a more serious condition. Seek medical attention if you suffer laryngitis frequently or if symptoms persist.
Herbal Treatments
Internal Applications
- Cardamom – this herb is an expectorant and contains a compound called cineole, which works wonders on laryngitis. Mix this herb with several others listed here in an herbal tea and add some pineapple juice before drinking.
- Elder - use as gargle or take in infusion or liquid extract to treat laryngitis and catarrh build up.
- Mallow – herbs in the mallow family (including marshmallow) have been used for thousands of years to soothe irritated throats. They are also useful for bronchitis, colds and coughs.
- Horehound – this herb has been used for centuries to treat respiratory ailments. Make an herbal tea with 1 or 2 teaspoons of dried horehound per cup of boiling water. Take as an infusion or use as a gargle.
- Mullein – the flowers of mullein can help with the loss of voice, coughs and build up of catarrh. Add 1 or 2 teaspoons of dried flowers per cup of boiling water and let it steep for ten minutes. Strain out the herbs and drink.
- Echinacea – this herb is well-known for stimulating the immune system, which makes it a good choice if your sore throat is caused by a virus. This herb causes the tongue to tingle or go numb temporarily, but this side effect is harmless.
- Elecampane – this herb is antiseptic and is useful for sore throats. Make this herb into a tea, preferably combined with mullein and horehound for the best results. Add 1 teaspoon of each herb to a cup of boiling water and let it steep for about ten minutes. Drink this brew three times per day.
- Couchgrass – this herb is also known as quackgrass. It is recommended in Europe to treat problems of the respiratory tract.
- Knotgrass – this herb is used in Europe to make a tea to treat sore throats. Add 2 or 3 teaspoons of dried knotgrass to a cup of boiling water and allow to steep. After about ten minutes, strain out the grass and drink.
- Ivy – this herb is an expectorant and an anti-inflammatory. Ivy is very useful for healing throat irritation and other respiratory ailments.
- Plantain – this herb has been used for centuries to treat many ailments related to the throat and respiratory tract. It is an effective antibacterial remedy that soothes the throat. Add 1 teaspoon of herb to a cup of boiling water and allow it to steep until the water is cool. Drink 3 cups a day.
- Primrose – add 1 or 2 teaspoons of dried flowers or 1 teaspoon of dried root to a cup of boiling water as a remedy for laryngitis.
- Stinging nettle – this nutritious herb can be given as a tea to relieve a sore throat.
- Soapwort – this anti-inflammatory herb is also a pain-reliever and can help heal laryngitis.
External Applications
- Eucalyptus - mix 3 drops of essential oil in 10ml carrier oil. Rub onto chest and back area every 3 hours.
- Pine - use in rub as above or in inhalation by adding a few drops to a bowl of steaming water and inhaling.
- Tea Tree - use in inhalation as in Pine.
- Cayenne - mix a pinch of cayenne with a tablespoon of lemon juice, add a cup of hot water and tablespoon of honey. Gargle 2 - 3 times a day.