Essential Oils Treatment for Laryngitis

Laryngitis is when your voice box (larynx) is inflamed, and is typically caused by a viral infection; the condition usually has a rapid onset, and might worsen over the first three days. The condition can last a few weeks, and symptoms commonly include a hoarse or croaky voice and find it difficult to speak, or sometimes losing your voice completely. You might also feel the need to clear your throat regularly, and suffer from a sore throat and irritating and persistent cough. Laryngitis often occurs alongside other illness, for instance flu, or the common cold. It’s best to speak as little as possible when suffering from laryngitis, as this will aggravate the condition – vibration of the vocal chords will aggravate the swelling, and be painful. Whispering should also be avoided.

While it is best to go to the doctor, especially if your symptoms persist for more than two weeks, what they are going to prescribe you may take a while to take effect, and you will likely be in desperate need of some short-term relief. Moisture is key for soothing laryngitis, and it’s best to avoid decongestants – so turn any heating or air conditioning off. The most important thing to do when suffering from laryngitis is to stay hydrated – this can obviously be achieved by drinking lots of fluids (try a soothing herbal tea!), and avoiding dehydrating substances such as coffee and alcohol, this will help keep the mucus in your throat loose and easy to clear. Foods and substances containing vitamins A, C, or E also help to keep the mucus membranes in the throat healthy. Another fantastic way to keep your throat moist is to surround yourself with moist air.
This is where aromatherapy comes in, and can really help to accelerate your recovery and provide you with some welcome relief. A lot of essential oils have naturally excellent anti-inflammatory properties, so can be used to help ease the swelling and inflammation that is causing the pain. Several are also antibacterial, so can help fight infection and ward off any other respiratory infections that could take hold whilst your immune system is compromised.

Take 15-20 drops of your preferred essential oils for laryngitisand mix with 2 ounces of carrier oil of your choosing. Apply the mixture into the water only after the water has stopped flowing. Add the mixture while the water is running to evaporate the mixture and reduce the potency.

Take 7 drops of your preferred essential oil for laryngitis and apply to a large pot or bowl of boiling water. Lean over the bowl and cover head with towel to prevent steam from escaping. Close eyes and take deep breaths through the nose for 1-2 minute intervals. Make sure to approximately have a 10 inch gap between you and the bowl as to prevent steam burn.

In particular, a number of different essential oils are particularly well suited for laryngitis-easing moist air, such as Eucalyptus, Lemon, Peppermint, and Lavender – High Altitude to name a few. Just boil the oil in a pot of water and breathe in the steam from the mixture for instant relief. You can also use a humidifier around your home to keep the air moist, and supplement it with aromatherapy diffusers to create an environment of moist and aromatic air. A hot steamy bath with essential oils will also effectively create an aromatic steam chamber in your bathroom, which can work wonders. Ginger oil is another great one to try: in addition to being able to soothe the inflamed mucus membranes, ancient Ayurvedic medicine used ginger to warm the body and break down toxins; it also cleanses the lymphatic system and helps ward off respiratory infections. Other oils you can use include Thyme and Roman Chamomile.