We can suffer sudden acute hoarseness after performing some type of overexertion with the voice, such as speaking or singing very loudly, or due to an unexpected cold or other external issues. This article will share 11 natural and effective remedies to calm acute hoarseness.
There may be difficulties speaking in our usual tone or temporarily losing our voice. Most episodes are mild and only last a couple of hours or days. Even so, it is always convenient for a professional to assess its severity and causes and determine a personalized therapy or treatment.
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Why am I hoarse?
It is important to differentiate between acute and chronic hoarseness. If it is something specific, the result of an excessive effort of the voice, a cold, or a cold, we can resort to natural remedies to solve it. Since the treatments are different and the appropriate one must be chosen. This disorder may be the consequence of significant gastroesophageal reflux. In the most serious cases, it can be a tumor symptom. However, if the hoarseness is chronic or lasts more than two weeks, it is necessary to consult with the otolaryngologist so that he can perform a proper examination. Experts classify mild episodes on the spectrum of functional voice disorders. Although they are often used interchangeably, the truth is that hoarseness is different from hoarseness. From a clinical point of view, hoarseness refers to the complete or total loss of phonation. For its part, the alteration of the normal quality of the voice is described as dysphonia. In any case, people popularly describe their episodes interchangeably as hoarseness or dysphonia. It is important to note that there may be a psychogenic explanation in both cases so that not every trigger is physiological. It has been suggested that it is more frequent than is thought, although its diagnosis is not always obvious.11 remedies to calm acute hoarseness
Many of the remedies to calm hoarseness that you will find below have only popular support. Its effectiveness is anecdotal, and under no circumstances do they replace the indications of the specialist. Other therapies have scientific support, primarily due to their anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. We encourage you to use them sparingly and only for mild cases.1. Vinegar and baking soda
Combining apple cider vinegar and baking soda is excellent for your health.
Ingredients
- Two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar (30 ml).
- ¹⁄3 teaspoon of baking soda (2 g).
- One glass of warm water (250 ml).
What should you do?
- All the ingredients must be mixed.
- Gargle should be done for one minute.
- Repeating them daily, we will notice a very rapid improvement in hoarseness.
2. Plantain or sage
These two medicinal plants help us soften the throat when inflamed. The anti-inflammatory properties of sage, as well as many other beneficial effects, have been shown through different studies. In this sense, it is beneficial for treating conditions such as:- acute hoarseness;
- tonsillitis ;
- pharyngitis;
- hoarseness;
- Upper respiratory disorders.
Ingredients
- One tablespoon of the chosen plant, fresh or dried (15 g).
- A cup of water (250 ml).
What should you do?
- We will bring the water to a boil.
- Add the plant and let it boil for about 5 minutes to extract the mucilage, a viscous vegetable substance with emollient properties.
- By consuming mucilage foods, we soften, reduce inflammation and soften the mucous membranes of the entire digestive tract.
3. Propolis
Propolis is one of the best natural antibiotics out there. Thanks to its powerful antibacterial action, it is very useful in treating acute hoarseness related to an infectious process, such as a cold. Multiple studies establish that propolis is used in treating different conditions, among which irritation in the throat stands out. This substance has analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties, so it can be useful in treating acute hoarseness.What should you do?
- In this case, we must take five drops of propolis every hour until we notice an improvement and we can space out these doses.
4. Oil, lemon, and honey
This remedy is easy to prepare and will immediately relieve our hoarseness. It is effective thanks to lemon’s antibacterial properties and honey’s antiseptic. On the other hand, some studies show that honey possesses effective anti-inflammatory properties. In addition, it has immunomodulatory effects, so it helps fight infections in the area. This fact may explain the wide use of the product in treating throat conditions.Ingredients
- One tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil (16 ml).
- A tablespoon of fresh lemon juice (15 ml).
- One tablespoon of honey (25 g).
- ½ glass of hot water (125 ml).
What should you do?
- We combine all the ingredients with half a glass of hot water and drink it in small sips.
- You can also gargle, if you wish, before swallowing.
- You can take it three times a day until the hoarseness disappears.
5. Tongue stretch
This curious and surprising remedy not only helps us put an end to hoarseness quickly. It is also a technique that some singers and speakers use before using their voices to relax the vocal cords.
What should be done?
- We will use a clean and dry cloth handkerchief.
- We will wrap the tongue and hold it tight with our fingers on both sides.
- Gently, we will stretch the tongue towards the outside of the mouth as if we wanted to take it out.
- We may feel some discomfort, but we will stop if we feel pain.
- The process is repeated several times.
6. Vocalization exercises, one of the best remedies to calm hoarseness
The voice exercises that singers practice can help us recover our voices.What should be done?
Since we have hoarseness, we will only do two exercises that do not involve vocal effort. We will need a piano or audio with the ascending and descending musical scale to follow the melody:- We will sing with our mouths closed as if we were saying the letter “M.”
- We will repeat the scale with the letter «R,» making the tongue vibrate.
- These two exercises are repeated several times.
7. Ginger tea
Ginger is a root with multiple beneficial properties for the body, which is why it is widely used in traditional medicine. A study published in Foods magazine establishes that this spice has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties.What should be done?
- Wash, peel, and cut the ginger into thin slices.
- Add the slices to 1 cup of boiling water and remove from heat.
- Let the drink cool for a few minutes before drinking it.
- You can add a tablespoon of honey and lemon juice to the infusion to add more flavor to take advantage of the properties of these ingredients.
8. Chamomile tea
Chamomile is one of the medicinal plants with the greatest benefits for relieving hoarseness and throat discomfort. Its infusion has excellent anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties that help control these symptoms. In addition, its calming and relaxing effect improves sleep.What should be done?
- Add one tablespoon of dried chamomile flowers to a cup of hot water.
- Let stand for a few minutes until cool.
- If desired, add one teaspoon of honey to enhance the flavor.
- Take two times a day to relieve hoarseness.
9. Onion and honey
The mixture of onion and honey helps to hydrate the throat mucosa and relieves dryness and irritation of the vocal cords. Similarly, onion’s mucolytic, expectorant, and antiseptic effects help fight harmful germs.What should be done?
- Peel and cut one onion into medium pieces.
- In a pot, add 2 cups of water, boil, and then add the onion.
- After 5 minutes, remove from heat and rest for a few minutes.
- Add two tablespoons of honey to the mixture and stir.
- Drink the infusion 2 to 3 times a day.
10. Licorice
Licorice is a natural remedy widely used to treat hoarseness and clear the airway. According to several studies, this is thanks to its anti-inflammatory, expectorant, demulcent, and antibiotic properties. In the same way, the relief of flu and cough with phlegm is traditionally used.What should be done?
- Wash and cut the licorice root.
- Add in water and heat over low heat for 5 to 6 minutes.
- Remove from heat and let stand until cool.
- Take the infusion 1 to 2 times a day.
11. Honey and pineapple remedy
Pineapple is rich in enzymes with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Its combination with honey is ideal for combating throat discomfort and voice disorders. In the same way, this remedy strengthens the immune system due to its high vitamin C content.What should be done?
- Add two slices of pineapple without the skin in a pot with 1/2 liter of water.
- Bring to medium heat and let boil for 3 to 5 minutes.
- Remove from heat and let stand, then strain the infusion.
- Sweeten with one tablespoon of honey and drink 2 to 3 times daily.
Other tips for recovering your voice quickly
You should bear in mind that no matter how effective the remedies are in calming the hoarseness, it is unlikely that you will recover your voice immediately. The vocal cords and all the affected structures must heal to speak normally. Despite everything, you can follow certain recommendations to speed up the healing process, among which are the following:- Drink plenty of water at room temperature.
- Avoid very cold or very hot foods.
- Do not consume irritating substances.
- No Smoking.
- Rest the vocal cords.
- Using certain lozenges with pain relievers.