Hoarseness – causes, natural remedies and effective herbs

           Hoarseness occurs when the vocal cords vibrate abnormally, resulting in the voice becoming rough and distorted.

           Most often, it is one of the symptoms of colds and inflammatory diseases of the upper respiratory tract, and occurs when the vocal cords and throat are irritated.  Additionally, among people who use their voices on a daily basis, the vocal cords may be overloaded and therefore this symptom occurs more often during infections.

Natural remedies for hoarseness

           To make hoarseness less troublesome, you should follow several rules:

• Limit the use of your voice and allow your vocal cords to rest.
• Avoid throat irritation, e.g. by cigarette smoke, inhaled chemicals, polluted air.
• Do not consume alcohol – it causes irritation and dryness of the mucous membranes of the throat, making it difficult to treat colds and upper respiratory tract diseases.
• You should ensure proper humidification of the air in the room, especially during the heating season when the air is dry and warm, e.g. by using air humidifiers.
• Drinking an appropriate amount of fluids, preferably warm ones, that will moisturize the throat.
• Rinse your throat several times a day with herbal infusions with a moisturizing and protective effect, e.g. Herbal mixture for hoarseness and dry cough
• Use inhalations with a physiological saline solution with the addition of hyaluronic acid and/or essential oils. They will properly moisturize the mucous membrane and facilitate breathing.
• Use appropriate remedies for colds and the underlying disease, with anti-inflammatory and antipyretic properties.

           Herbs especially recommended for consumption in case of dry throat and hoarseness include:

• Islan lichen: has a moisturizing and coating effect and, thanks to the content of lichen acids, has anti-inflammatory properties. It is available in the form of syrups, lozenges, and as an ingredient of herbal mixtures for drinking or gargling.
• Marshmallow: its root and leaf are rich in mucous substances that protect the mucous membranes and soothe irritations
• Coltsfoot: also contains mucus with a soothing and moisturizing effect, reduces the symptoms of dry cough and hoarseness. Most often it comes in the form of lozenges with thyme extract with antibacterial properties, and as an ingredient of herbal mixtures
• Common chamomile: mainly has anti-inflammatory properties and inhibits the growth of some microorganisms.
• And others, including: Common flax, Sage officinalis, Wild mallow, Ribwort plantain and Multiflora mullein.

           Of course, apart from traditional colds and laryngeal diseases, hoarseness may also accompany other diseases. If it persists for longer than 2-3 weeks, you should consult a doctor who will diagnose its cause and recommend appropriate treatment. In such cases, of course, the underlying disease that causes hoarseness must be cured.

            Other diseases associated with hoarseness include:

• Gastroesophageal reflux disease: regurgitation of gastric contents together with hydrochloric acid causes irritation of the esophagus and throat, which may result in hoarseness.
• Chronic pharyngitis and laryngitis: often occurs in people who smoke cigarettes, inhale polluted air and in people who often use their voice in their profession, e.g. teachers, speakers or singers.
• Hormonal disorders: hypothyroidism or decreased estrogen levels.
• Allergies: especially when we observe the intensification of symptoms in the presence of a given allergen. It may manifest itself as wheezing and shortness of breath – this is a dangerous condition requiring medical intervention
• Neoplasms of the throat and larynx

Recommended products from our store

• Herbal mixture for hoarseness and dry cough
• Gargle mixture

Natural herbal mixtures prepared by a master of pharmacy. See the entire store →