Herbal Remedies for Chronic Laryngitis, Ayurvedic Treatment – Causes & Symptoms

Laryngitis is defined as the swelling of the larynx or the voice box due to irritation of the vocal cords. Laryngitis could be acute or chronic depending upon its duration. If it lasts for three days or less than three days, it is acute and if it lasts for more than weeks, it is said to be chronic laryngitis. Laryngitis can affect people with all age groups but more specifically women are more affected than men.

CAUSES

• Laryngitis is caused due to bacterial, viral or fungal infection
• Due to prolonged cough
• In people suffering from tuberculosis, bronchitis, sinusitis, GERD and other parasitic infections
• People who shout, talk or sing for a long period of time
• Due to inhaling of irritants such as chemical fumes, allergens or smoke
• Paralysis of vocal chords
• Stroke or any trauma
• Due to tumor in the neck and chest
• Due to inflammation and enlargement of the thyroid gland
• Prolonged use of steroids

SYMPTOMS

• Loss of voice
• Hoarseness of the voice
• Irritation and pain in the throat
• Dry, sore and burning throat
• Difficulty in swallowing
• Fever
• Chest congestion
• Cough
• Cold or flu like symptoms
• Swelling in the larynx
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Shortness of breath
• Increased production of the saliva

AYURVEDIC VIEW AND TREATMENT ACCORDING TO CHANDIGARH AYURVED CENTRE

According to Ayurveda, laryngitis is compared with Swarabheda. The vitiated vata, pitta and kapha dosha obstruct the Svaravaha srotas or the channels responsible for producing and transmitting the voice. This destroys the voice and causes Swarabheda.

In Ayurveda, it is believed that Swarabheda is caused due to:

• Ati uchha bhashana or speaking very loudly
• Adhyana or reading very loudly
• Abhighata or due to any injury
• Visha or due to contact with poisons

Six types of swarabheda have been described by Ayurveda acharaya:

1. Vataja Swarabheda – The patient has black colored stool, urine, face and eyes.
2. Pittaja Swarabheda – The patient has yellow colored stool, urine, face and eyes.
3. Kaphaja Swarabheda – The patient speaks less with a very low voice and has whitish discolouration of the stool, urine, face.
4. Sannipataja Swarabheda – Combined symptoms of above three are found
5. Kshayaja Swarabheda – Smoke comes out whenever the patient speaks
6. Medoja Swarabheda – Words come out of the mouth with difficulty and are not understood by the listener.

Ayurvedic formulations useful in Swarabheda are:

• Khadiradi Vati
• Eladi Vati
• Vyoshadi Vati
• Tribhuvana Kirti Rasa
• Laxmi Vilas Rasa
• Yashtimadhu Churna
• Talishadi Churna
• Sitopaladi Churna
• Agastya Haritaki Rasayan
• Chitrak Haritaki Rasayan
• Giloy Satva

DIET AND LIFESTYLE

• Avoid smoking, alcohol and caffeine intake.
• Drink plenty of water and other fluids.
• Drink warm water to prevent your throat from becoming dry.
• Avoid contact with people suffering from upper respiratory infections such as cold.
• Avoid having heavy, spicy, oily and acidic foods.
• Have whole grains, fruits and vegetables in your diet.
• Avoid exposure to extreme hot or cold weather.
• Avoid exposure to dust or cold air.
• Have warm and fresh food. Avoid eating stale food.
• Keep yourself warm and try to keep your neck covered.
• Do not use much body sprays or other insect killers.
• Avoid eating just before bedtime.
• Have regular steam inhalation to clean your respiratory tract.

HERBAL REMEDIES

• Heat half liter of water in a vessel. To this add five drops of eucalyptus oil or pine oil. Inhale the steam for five to ten minutes.
• Extract the juice of 8-10 tulsi leaves and mix one spoon honey to it. Take this two times a day.
• Prepare the juice of 6-8 basil leaves, two pepper grains and a pinch of salt. Have this juice in case of laryngitis.
• Take one cup warm water. Add half teaspoon salt to it and mix well. Gargle with this solution three times a day to soothe the throat.
• Add one bowl of crushed onions to one bowl of boiling water. Heat this for 15 min and then strain the liquid. Add 4 teaspoons lemon juice and 2 teaspoons honey. Mix well and sip this drink slowly.

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