How to Treat Dysphonia with Natural Remedies
Causes
Sometimes, dysphonia can occur for various reasons. These causes may be organic or functional.
Among the organic causes, we can find:
- Nodules
- Polyps
- Laryngitis, including cases resulting from gastric reflux.
The functional cases are the following:
- Excessive or incorrect use of voice
- Muscle tension
Although dysphonia isn’t a psychological illness, stress and anxiety have a considerable effect on the condition.
In fact, there are studies that show that everyday life happenings have a considerable influence on functional dysphonia.
We recommend that you read: 10 Strange Symptoms of Acid Reflux
Treatments for dysphonia
The medical treatment for this condition depends on the cause:
- Generally, doctors order vocal rest and speech rehabilitation therapy.
- In some cases, a treatment may include surgery.
We’d like to mention that in the case of organic dysphonia, a diagnosis and specialized treatment are necessary before trying any kind of remedy.
Natural alternatives for dysphonia
Similar to any other kind of treatment, giving our vocal cords a well deserved rest and avoiding their overuse is crucial. It’s also important to drink plenty of liquids.
Teas
Treating dysphonia by means of drinking teas is both effective and delicious. Remember to buy your herbs in bulk to make sure that they’re free from additives.
To take advantage of the benefits that this treatment has to offer, you need to take two cups of your choice of tea every day for a month. Afterwards, rest for two weeks and then repeat the dose.
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon of a herb of your choice (10 g)
- 1 cup of boiling water (250 ml)
- Honey (to taste)
Preparation
- Add the herb to a teapot with boiling water.
- Let steep for 7 minutes.
- Afterwards, strain and serve in a cup.
- Sweeten with honey and enjoy.
Among the most effective teas for treating dysphonia are the following:
- Ginger: Ginger is a wonderful solution because of its antiinflammatory properties. In addition, it also helps detox the body. This tea isn’t only ideal for treating dysphonia, but it’s also great for any other respiratory illness.
- Chamomile: Along with its soothing and antiseptic properties, chamomile also boasts digestive properties.
- Mallow and eucalyptus: The substance contained in mallow reduces irritation while eucalyptus clears out respiratory airways.
Gargles
The effectiveness of gargling for treating dysphonia depends on being very careful as to not harm the throat when gargling. Thus, gargles should be gentle and calm, lasting for two minutes.
You should use this treatment three times a day.
The best gargling options for treating dysphonia include the following:
- Baking soda, salt and honey: Mix 1 tablespoon of each ingredient in a glass of warm water.
- Lemon: We should use freshly squeezed lemon juice from two lemons.
- Salvia and plantago: Prepare a tea with these herbs and use it for gargling.
Juices
Another great option for treating dysphonia is drinking juice on a regular basis. You should aim to drink 2 glasses in the morning every day. Drinking juice is also helpful for getting more fruits and vegetables in your diet.
Remember that the juice should be natural and freshly made. That way, we can avoid added sugars and maximize their curative properties.
The most recommendable juices for dysphonia are:
- Pineapple: Helps revitalize the tissues in our vocal cords.
- Carrot: It’s also useful for treating any kind of respiratory illness.
- Cabbage: Treats throat irritation. In addition, along with the carrot juice, it helps reduce the anxiety that can worsen dysphonia.
Also see: 5 Natural Juices to Regulate Blood Sugar
Relaxation exercises
Regardless of the treatment that you chose, relaxation exercises are a helpful addition. You should do them for five minutes daily:
- Raise and lower your head.
- Move your head from side to side.
- Push your shoulders to the back and front.
- Move your arms in a circular motion.
Breathing techniques
In order to strengthen this area, we can try this breathing technique.
- Inhale for ten seconds.
- Hold your breathe for another ten seconds.
- Slowly exhale for another ten seconds.
You should be relaxed when you do this exercise. Repeat at least five times consecutively.
On a final note, blowing bubbles is also a beneficial, and fun, way to strengthen your throat.
All cited sources were thoroughly reviewed by our team to ensure their quality, reliability, currency, and validity. The bibliography of this article was considered reliable and of academic or scientific accuracy.
- Schwartz SR, Cohen SM, Dailey SH, Rosenfeld RM, et al. Clinical practice guideline: Hoarseness (Dysphonia). OtolaryngolHead and Neck Surg 2009;141:1-31.
- Roy N, Merril RM, Gray SD, et al. Voice disorders in the general population: prevalence, risk factors and occupational impact. Laryngoscope 2005;115:1988-1995.
- Thomas LB, Stemple JC. Voice therapy: Does science support the art? Communicative Disorders Review 2007;1:49-77.
- American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. The use of voice therapy in the treatment of dysphonia. 2015. http://www.asha.org/docs/html/TR2005-00158.html.
