How to Use Herbal Remedies for a Lost Voice

Introduction

Laryngitis is the inflammation of the larynx that causes a hoarse or lost voice due to irritation of the vocal chords. In many cases, a voice will return after just a few days; however, laryngitis has been known to last over 3 weeks. A lost voice is frustrating and can affect your daily life both at home and at work. Luckily, there are a number of natural and herbal remedies that you can use at home to help your voice return as soon as possible.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You'll Need

• Combination Echinacea and goldenseal tablets
• Liquorice root
• Slippery elm
• Natural honey
• Oak bark
• Eucalyptus oil
• Large towel

Steps

1

Step One

Begin taking tablets that combine Echinacea and goldenseal at the earliest symptom of a lost voice. Because laryngitis is often caused by a bacterial or viral infection in the throat, Echinacea and goldenseal can help you recover your voice more quickly. These powerful herbal remedies work to boost your immune system and can relieve the symptoms of bacterial of viral infections, however you must begin taking them as soon as possible.

2

Step Two

Drink tea regularly throughout the day to soothe a dry scratchy throat that comes with a lost voice. Boil 1 cup of water and remove from heat. Add 1/2 tsp. of liquorice root and 1/2 tsp. of slippery elm and allow to steep for 5 minutes. Strain the herbs, add 1 tsp. of natural honey and drink as often as you like. These herbal remedies will help coat the throat, soothe scratchiness and kill bacteria, helping to relieve a lost voice quickly.

3

Step Three

Inhale herbal remedies daily to ease a lost voice and calm a fever. Boil one quart of water with 1/4 cup of oak bark for 20 minutes. Remove from heat and add 5 to 10 drops of eucalyptus oil. Place your head carefully above the mixture and breathe deeply, covering your head and the pot with a large towel to keep the steam in.

Tips & Warnings

• Rest your vocal chords to help them heal. You don't have to stop speaking entirely, but try to whisper or talk in a lowered voice as much as possible until your lost voice has returned.
• As much as you may want to, try not to clear your throat, as it can further damage your larynx and extent the length of a lost voice.
• If you lose your voice regularly or have had laryngitis for longer than 3 weeks, consult an otolaryngologist (an ear, nose, throat doctor) as your condition can be a symptom of a larger problem.