Laryngitis. Loss of Voice. Treatment with Folk Remedies
Hello, dear readers. Today, I want to talk about a condition called laryngitis, which leads to voice loss, and how it can be treated with folk remedies. Last autumn, my mother called me and could hardly speak—she had completely lost her voice. But just a few days later, she called again, sounding lively and normal. Naturally, we asked her what remedies she had used and what had helped her recover. In this article, I will share the folk medicine recipes that my mother used when she lost her voice.
Voice loss often occurs due to laryngitis, an inflammation of the laryngeal mucosa. This condition causes your vocal cords to lose their ability to vibrate, making your voice hoarse or disappear entirely. Laryngitis can be treated and voice loss restored with the help of folk remedies.
Voice loss may also be accompanied by fever, chills, coughing, and headaches. Even in otherwise healthy individuals, excessive vocal strain, overuse of the vocal cords, or allergic reactions can lead to temporary voice loss.
However, I must emphasize an important point: if you cannot even swallow your saliva, are coughing up blood, or feel like you are suffocating, you must immediately see a doctor. It is best not to let the condition progress and to begin treatment at the first signs of voice loss.
Recommendations for Voice Loss:
- Rest your voice as much as possible—avoid speaking, even in a whisper.
- Use a humidifier to keep the air moist.
- Drink plenty of warm fluids such as tea, fruit compote, or herbal infusions. Cold drinks will only worsen your condition.
- Avoid drinks that are too hot, as they can burn your throat.
- Keep your throat warm by wrapping a scarf around your neck.
- If you smoke, stop at least for the duration of your treatment.
- Avoid spicy foods, strong seasonings, salty or smoked foods. Meals should be warm and preferably soft or pureed.
- Do not eat overly cold or extremely hot foods.
- Completely avoid alcohol and coffee.
Voice Loss Treatment
Potato Juice
Gargle with freshly squeezed potato juice. Additionally, you can prepare steam inhalations using an inhaler or simply cover yourself with a towel over a bowl of hot water. Use herbal infusions of chamomile, calendula, thyme, St. John’s wort, sage, or coltsfoot for inhalation.
Carrot and Honey
Mix equal parts of carrot juice and honey. Take one teaspoon four times a day. It is best to use fresh homemade carrot juice rather than store-bought varieties. This remedy helps not only with voice loss but also with coughs and runny noses. Even children enjoy this mixture, provided they are not allergic to honey.
Egg Yolk and Brandy
Egg yolk and brandy can help restore your voice. Mix one tablespoon of honey, 30 grams of brandy, and one raw egg yolk. Take one tablespoon of this mixture every three hours.
Propolis and Kalanchoe
Mix two teaspoons of 10% propolis tincture, four tablespoons of natural honey, and four teaspoons of finely chopped Kalanchoe leaves. Stir well and store in the refrigerator. Dissolve half a teaspoon of this mixture in your mouth for treatment.
Anise Seeds
Prepare a decoction of anise seeds:
- Add 1/4 cup of anise seeds to one cup of milk.
- Boil for about 10 minutes.
- Strain the mixture and let it cool slightly before adding one tablespoon of honey.
- Drink one tablespoon every 30 minutes for quick voice recovery.
Milk and Figs
Figs and milk can help restore your voice. Take 2–3 dried figs, mash them into a cup of milk, and heat the mixture without bringing it to a boil. Drink half a cup of this warm mixture three times a day.
Egg Yolk and Butter
A mixture of egg yolks and butter is excellent for voice recovery and hoarseness. Beat two raw egg yolks with sugar until white, then add 150 grams of fresh butter and two tablespoons of honey. Mix thoroughly and store in the refrigerator. Take one teaspoon four times a day.
Milk and Cocoa Butter
Drink warm milk with honey and cocoa butter. Cocoa butter coats the throat well, providing relief.
- Boil a cup of milk.
- Add a small piece of cocoa butter.
- Once the milk cools slightly, stir in two teaspoons of honey.
- Drink this delicious and soothing mixture between meals.
Cabbage Juice
Cabbage juice can quickly restore your voice. Extract juice from cabbage leaves, warm it slightly, and drink one teaspoon four times a day after meals. Try not to eat for at least an hour after drinking the juice.
Viburnum (Kalina)
Viburnum is also highly effective. In the autumn, I mash viburnum berries with sugar and store them in the refrigerator. Whenever I have a cough, cold, fever, or voice loss, I use this remedy.
- Steep two tablespoons of viburnum berries in a cup of boiling water.
- Let it infuse, then strain the mixture.
- Drink it warm in small sips. This remedy is great for hoarseness.
Blueberries
Blueberries can also help with voice loss.
- Take two teaspoons of fresh or frozen blueberries.
- Pour a cup of boiling water over them and let steep for 20 minutes.
- Strain and use the infusion as a gargle.
- You can also drink the warm infusion with honey or sugar.
Laryngitis (voice loss) can be particularly dangerous in young children because inflammation in the airways can cause both voice loss and breathing difficulties, potentially leading to suffocation. If this happens, call an ambulance immediately and give the child a dose of No-Spa (Drotaverine) while waiting for medical help.
Now you know what to do when you lose your voice. Folk remedies can be very effective if the condition is treated early. However, if your voice does not return within 2–3 days, and the condition is accompanied by high fever, loss of appetite, coughing, or throat pain, you should see a doctor.
Take care of your health—it is your responsibility. Stay healthy!