Laryngitis is caused when the voice box or larynx becomes inflamed. This can be caused by an infection, irritation or overuse of this area. In some cases you may not be able to speak at a detectible volume. Patients may suffer from short or long term laryngitis. In most cases this is caused by vocal strain or a viral infection that is not serious, which can be relieved by home remedies. However, losing voice constantly can be a sign that more serious medical issues are at hand.

Simple Ways to Treat Laryngitis

1. Stay Hydrated

It is important to keep the throat moist when treating laryngitis. Make a point of getting at least eight glasses of water a day. You can also sip on fruit juices and non-caffeinated beverages to provide relief. Laryngitis caused by a bacterial or viral infection can easily be spread with the hands. Avoid touching areas where germs can sit to help avoid catching the disease. If you are suffering from laryngitis, make a point of washing your hands more frequently to help prevent passing it to others.

2. Moisturize

Dry, dusty environments can further irritate your throat. Running a humidifier can help you create a more comfortable environment so it is easier to breathe. Inhaling steam from a pot of hot water can help relieve a sore throat. Bring half a pot of water to a boil, remove from the heat, place a towel over your head and breathe in the steam for 10 - 15 minutes for the best results. Using an over the counter saliva replacement can help keep the throat moist, which can help you cut down on the discomfort.

3. Apply Natural Laryngitis Home Remedies

If you've got laryngitis already, though it might be not that serious, you're still suffering a lot of discormfort. Try some easy and natural laryngitis home remedies to soothe your symptoms, most of which you can find in your kitchen; they cost little yet works great. There're a lot of home remedies you can try, but we picked and listed the most popular and effective ones below. 

4. Cope with Gastro-Esophageal Reflux

Gastro-esophageal reflux can be damaging to the larynx. If you tend to suffer from this issue, avoid eating before bed and try to focus on eating healthy foods. If necessary, take nonprescription acid reducers to help prevent your gastro-esophageal symptoms from contributing to your laryngitis.

Top 10 Laryngitis Home Remedies

• Salt. Gargling with a salt water solution can help you reduce inflammation in the throat. Simply mix a cup of water with a half teaspoon salt and gargle with this solution throughout the day as needed.
• Vinegar. Gargling with vinegar will create an acidic atmosphere in the throat that can help kill off viruses and bacteria without increasing your irritation. Create a solution with equal parts vinegar and water and use this to gargle two to four times throughout the day.
• Lemon. Some believe that sucking on a lemon will help to cure a sore throat, but many find this remedy too difficult to take on. If you cannot manage the sour taste, mix lemon juice with salt water gargle instead. The lemon and salt mixture will increase the acidity of the fruit juice, helping to kill off any infectious materials in the throat.
• Garlic. Garlic has known antibacterial properties. Such on a slice or crushed piece of garlic to kill the bacteria or viruses in your throat. Place a piece of garlic in each side of the mouth and suck on them the way you would a lozenge to get the best effects.
• Ginger. Ginger can help soothe inflamed tissue in the throat. Suck on a piece of candied ginger or have a cup of ginger tea to relax the strained tissue. You can make ginger tea by steeping 1. 2 inches of ginger root cut into thin slices in a quart of boiling water.
• Apple Cider Vinegar. Apple cider vinegar is known for killing bacteria. Mix a tablespoon of the vinegar into a glass of water and gargle with the mixture 3. 4 times a day until your symptoms ease. You can also drink this mixture every few hours to get relief.
• Slippery Elm. Slippery elm contains a substance called mucilage that can help sooth inflamed tissue. Place a few pieces of slippery elm in water until they become a gel then consume it a few times each day. You can also try lozenges or tea made from this ingredient, though these remedies are not safe for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding.
• Honey. Honey is an astringent that will help soothe an irritated throat. Swallow a spoonful of raw honey a few times a day to sooth your larynx. You can also brew a cup of herbal tea and add lemon and honey to create soothing beverage that will cut down on mucus in the throat.
• Eucalyptus Oil. Eucalyptus oil can be added to a steam treatment to increase the soothing power of this remedy. Lozenges and cough syrups containing eucalyptus are also particularly effective at treating laryngitis.
• Onion Syrup. Cut up 3. 4 medium onions and add it to four cups of water. Simmer this mixture until it becomes syrup. Mix five tablespoons of the syrup in a glass of water; add some lemon juice and honey and drink slowly to get relief for your throat.

Avoid Certain Things When Treating Laryngitis

• Caffeine, Tobacco and Alcohol. Caffeine or colas can cause dehydration which can further irritate the throat. Alcohol also has drying properties that can cause your throat to feel raw. These substances also contribute to gastro-esophageal reflux that can increase the inflammation in your throat. Smoking or inhaling secondhand smoke will irritate the larynx and throat, contributing to your inflammation.
• Whispering. While it is important to speak softly when you are suffering from laryngitis, whispering can actually put more strain on the vocal chords rather than improving your condition.
• Clearing the Throat. Clearing the throat may seem helpful if it feels as though there is phlegm lodged here, but this can actually increase the inflammation in the larynx. If you find you are coughing, particularly if it is a dry cough that is not clearing mucus from your system, take a cough suppressant to protect your throat.
• Recreational Drugs. Cocaine and marijuana are known for causing damage to the larynx which can increase your laryngitis symptoms.
• Dusty Environment. Dust can irritate the throat, particularly if the dusty environment is also dry. Avoid areas with these issues to protect your throat from further damage.