|
Natural herbal &
homeopathic remedies for Laryngitis (inflammation of the larynx)
Laryngitis
HEALTH HERBS & NUTRITION
- REMEDIES - EAR, NOSE, AND THROAT - laryngitis
About Larynx
Larynx or voice box is the
chief component of your speech apparatus.
It is located in your neck/throat and is a tapered cylinder about
4cms long, roughly bat-shaped when viewed from above and is an
intricate arrangement of nine cartilages covered with mucus
membranes and bound together by ligaments. Part of larynx protrudes
in your neck in the form of Adam’s apple.
Your vocal cords are two bands of tissue that extend across the
larynx. There is a central muscle bundle, various layers
of connective tissue and a skin like covering called the mucosa.
Controlled by this intricate muscular system, the cords open wide to
create deep sounds and narrow to slits for high-pitched sounds. It
is basically the air coming from the lungs (via trachea) that passes
over these cords and causes them to vibrate and produce sounds.
About Laryngitis
Laryngitis is nothing but an
inflammation of the larynx (membranes
of the larynx) and the vocal cords. As a very delicate balance has
to be maintained between the different components of the vocal
cords, slight disturbance is enough to disrupt the optimal vibration
of the tissue due to the passing air, resulting in hoarseness or
voice loss.
This common affliction of the voice box can be acute or chronic. It
rarely causes serious trouble in adults, but it may cause
complications in children - more specifically croup, a swelling of the
throat that narrows the airways and causes a "barking" cough and
epiglottitis, which is inflammation of the epiglottis (the
epiglottis is the flap of cartilage at the back of the tongue that
closes off the windpipe when swallowing and if it swells, breathing
can be come obstructed).
Usually, the symptoms should not alarm you much and you can
self-treat yourself, but self-treatment for hoarseness and cough
that last more than a few days is definitely not advisable. The most
severe symptoms that call for a visit to your doctor immediately are
trouble in swallowing the saliva, coughing up blood, noises in
throat while breathing as all these may point to a tumor.
When you visit your doctor, s/he will examine your throat and take a
culture if it looks infected. S/he will also examine your sinuses,
neck, nose, and lungs. If you have had laryngitis for a long time,
especially if you are a smoker, a special test called laryngoscopy
may be carried out on you which involves use of a rigid or flexible
viewing tube called a laryngoscope to see the back of the throat
including the voice box.
|
· |
A cough that is initially dry but later produces phlegm |
|
· |
A tickling and raw feeling in your throat |
|
· |
Coughing on inhalation |
|
· |
A constant urge to clear your throat |
|
· |
A serious form of laryngitis involves pain while coughing
but is quite
rare |
|
· |
Hoarseness or may be complete voice loss |
|
· |
In extreme cases there is fever along with
lethargic feeling, and difficulty in breathing |
|
· |
An acute viral or bacterial infection (upper respiratory
infections like cold,
flu,
bronchitis) |
|
· |
Allergy |
|
· |
Irritation by toxic agents like noxious auto exhausts,
chimney fumes and other industrial chemical fumes |
|
· |
Another set of toxic agents include
tobacco smoke and
alcohol (usually excess of the two only creates
problems) |
|
· |
Abuse of vocal cords (too much talking, singing,
shouting) |
|
· |
Dry ambient air (although the air becomes wet after
entering through the nose, it may reach the larynx dry
due to either inefficient humidification or may be you
are inhaling through your mouth, as you do when you gasp
after running or during exercise) |
|
· |
Secondary effects of
acid reflux (GERD) |
|
· |
Some psychological disorder |
|
· |
Polyps on the vocal cords – polyp is a growth of the
connective tissue beneath the mucus membrane that covers
the vocal cords. Generally, their presence does not
indicate any threatening condition but if they do, they
can be surgically removed. |
|
·
|
Nodules on the vocal cords - A nodule is roughly
the size of a corn or callus, and like polyps, are
usually caused by too much shouting and other abuses of
the vocal cords. They also can be easily removed but
tend to come back if the vocal cords are not protected. |
|
· |
Cancer (remember, your larynx is one of the favorite
targets for cancer) |
Herbal
and homeopathic remedies have been used for centuries to treat a
number of conditions. The larynx is another bodily organ that can be
soothed by a number of proven herbal and homeopathic ingredients.
Such ingredients include Gelsemium, a homeopathic remedy well-known
for its ability to reduce the symptoms of sore throat and influenza.
While these ingredients help relieve troubling laryngitis symptoms,
other herbal ingredients are especially helpful in assisting the
body’s ability to fight off infection. Olea europea (extract of
Olive leaf) is used to fight a variety of illnesses and to protect
the body against disease, ailments, and infection of all types.
Since
immune deficiency is one of the highlighted causes of this
infection, naturally boosting the immune system is the first
course of action for many people. Herbs such as Echinacea
purpurea, Astragalus membranaceous, Inula helenium and Withania
somnifera are well-documented for their antiviral, antifungal and
antibacterial properties, as well as their ability to strengthen and
assist the immune system. These herbs not only help to treat current
infections, but work well as a preventative measure so that the
laryngitis does not reoccur.
|
· |
Mercurius solubilis (Merc. Sol.) 6C - This has been used
medicinally in its raw form since the times of Ancient
Egypt to treat a range of infections. However, in more
recent times, medicinal use of raw Merc. Sol. was
discontinued due to the aggressive nature of Merc. Sol.
and the risk of side effects However, in its homeopathic
form, one receives the therapeutic benefits of Merc.
Sol. without the associated side effects in concentrated
forms. Used homeopathically, Merc. Sol. is extremely
effective in the treatment of all mouth and throat
infections, including infected throats, tonsils, tooth
abscess and oral thrush. It is also recommended for
fever as well as infections of the sinus and ears. |
|
· |
Hypoxis Rooperi (extract of African Potato)
- Hypoxis
contains phytosterols and sterolins, which help to
modulate the effect of the immune system. Research has
shown the beneficial effect of plant sterols and sterolins on the immune system. Research done on a group
of volunteers demonstrated a significant increase in the
number of T-cells, which are involved in enhancing
immunity. |
|
· |
Agothosma betulina (Buchu) - This is a urinary
antiseptic and possesses diuretic properties. Buchu has
been used by the natives of the Western Cape of South
Africa for many centuries and assists the body to rid
itself of toxins by stimulating the secretion of
retained water. |
|
· |
Viscum album - This herb acts as a natural diuretic, and
vasodilator, supporting the natural strength of
capillary walls and the body’s natural ability to
encourage repair of damaged cells. |
|
· |
Schizandra sinesis - This herb is a powerful native
ingredient from China. Schizandra is also used to assist
the body in its capacity to regulate and maintain
healthy energy levels and to routinely protect against
toxins and cell damage. It is effective in helping the
body to perform its natural function of regeneration of
damaged liver tissue, while promoting improved overall
regulation of physiological processes. |
|
· |
Astralagus membranaceus - This is another potent Chinese
remedy, also called 'huang qi', and has a variety of
benefits as a convalescent and rejuvenating tonic. |
|
· |
Olea europea (extract of olive leaf) - This herb
contains a compound called oleuropein acid that is
effective in helping the body to routinely combat
numerous pathogens (germs). The positive effects of
Olive leaf have recently been demonstrated in a variety
of clinical studies. |
| |
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
ImmunityPlus
Promotes healthy immune system
functioning and helps fight viral and
bacterial infections.
 |
|
 |
CroupEx Sprinkles
Homeopathic remedy temporarily relieves
croup and barking cough in babies and
children.
|
|
 |
Throat and Tonsil Dr.
To soothe the throat, promote tonsil
health, support immune functioning.
|
|
|
· |
Increase the intake of fluids, especially warm,
lubricating fluids. Slippery elm bark tea, juices, your
normal tea with honey will all lubricate the back of the
throat. Now, drinking won’t lubricate the vocal cords or
larynx directly as the epiglottis closes over them like
a trapdoor, but it will definitely provide enough water
to help the mucus glands in the larynx to form a
protective and smooth coating on the cords, thereby
decreasing the irritation and further deterioration due
to infection. |
|
· |
As one very important and common cause of larynx is
cold, take your diet accordingly. Zinc and vitamin C
rich diet is supposed to not only improve immunity but
also shorten the duration of cold. This will indirectly
help in both, reducing the time an infection remains in
the system and also preventing the virus to invade that
easily. Foods rich in them are:
›
Vitamin C – citrus fruits, blackcurrant, vegetables
(broccoli, potatoes), red capsicums and chilies,
strawberry,
kiwifruit, rock melon.
›
Zinc – dairy products, seafood (oysters), chicken,
beef, eggs |
|
· |
Avoid drinking alcohol as it is a major irritant,
although you will not feel it that way. |
Some most effective home made remedies for laryngitis
are:
|
· |
Cardamom – Mix a few seeds of green cardamom in a
teaspoon of honey and eat once a day. |
|
· |
Mix a teaspoon of onion juice in a teaspoon of honey and
take once a day. |
|
· |
Take a teaspoon of both, crushed green cardamom and
cinnamon sticks, and pour a glass of boiling water over
the mixture. Filter the solution after a few minutes
when it becomes lukewarm. Gargle with the filtrate. |
|
· |
Take a glass of barley water and pour 2 teaspoon of
fennel seeds into it. Boil, let the temperature come
down and drink when lukewarm. |
|
· |
Just shut up – Don’t talk AT ALL for at least some time
(a day or two) whatever be the cause of your suffering.
Even whispering hurts your vocal cords by moving them
almost as vigorously as they move when you shout. |
|
· |
Rest your voice for a minimum period of 7 days. This
will also help you in recuperating faster from the
underlying disease which caused laryngitis. |
|
· |
Use amplification system to protect your voice function
if your job needs raising your voice. In short, use a
mike whenever possible, convenient and unobtrusive in
your job. |
|
· |
Don't clear your throat even as you desperately
want to do it as you may damage your vocal chords. Try
to suppress the feeling by sipping water or simply
swallowing. |
|
· |
Breathe through your nose as nose is a natural
humidifier and it is its job to humidify the inhaled
air. Your mouth was created for different purpose and
definitely not breathing. So, if you are one of those
unfortunate ones who have to breathe through their
mouths because of deviated nasal septum or cold or
sinusitis, then use a cold-air humidifier. The inhaled
moist air will then help the mucosa to blanket your
vocal cords with moisture otherwise the dry mucus over
the cords will become sticky and adherent which is quite
attractive for the irritants. |
|
· |
When you travel by air, chew gum or suck lozenges.
This shall increase the saliva production which will
help your throat to keep wet in the predominantly dry climate
inside the plane. |
|
· |
Don’t smoke – Every smoker knows that smoking dries
his
throat and chain smoking often results in hoarseness of
voice due to laryngitis. So, no need to tell you fellas,
what to do? Quit smoking completely. |
|
· |
Steam inhalation - This moisture level can be retained
by hanging your head over a steaming bowl of water for 5
minutes. Do this at least twice a day. You may also add
a few drops of eucalyptus oil in water for better
results. |
|
· |
Diffuse eucalyptus oil in your room if you sit there for
prolonged periods (off course make sure there are no
children in the room as the smell will be quite pungent
and intolerable for them). Also, use a humidifier
in your room as the mucusa lined on the vocal chords
needs to be kept moist to repel irritants. |
|
· |
There are certain medications like anti-allergic
(antihistamines), thyroid and blood pressure which tend
to dry your throat. Make sure you compensate for this
dryness. |
|
|
|
|
ImmunityPlus
Promotes healthy immune system
functioning and helps fight viral and
bacterial infections.
|
|
|
CroupEx Sprinkles
Homeopathic remedy temporarily relieves
croup and barking cough in babies and
children.
|
|
|
Throat and Tonsil Dr.
To soothe the throat, promote tonsil
health, support immune functioning.
|
|
|
|
