11 home remedies for laryngitis

Try gargling

Soothe your throat throughout the day by gargling with 1/2 teaspoon of salt mixed in a glass of warm water, suggests the University of Maryland Medical Center. Don't overdo the salt because that might make the irritation worse.

Sip honey

Add a teaspoon of honey to warm tea. Honey is often used to ease sore throats; it may help soothe laryngitis too. Some professional speakers and singers like taking straight honey with a dash of lemon juice, but others argue that because lemon is acidic, it may make irritation worse.

Or try popsicles

If salt water doesn't sound appealing, try something tastier and icier. Popsicles may be more comforting, says MedicineNet.

Consider herbs

Although there's not a lot of scientific research in the area, some people have success with various herbal remedies. Eucalyptus, for example, may help soothe an irritated throat. It's available in lozenges, cough syrups and teas. (Don't take eucalpytus oil by mouth, however, because it can be toxic.) Similarly, peppermint can be soothing for sore throats and dry coughs. Licorice root is another common herbal remedy for sore throat irritation, but take it with caution. Licorice interacts with many medications and should be off-limits to people with many medical conditions including heart disease, kidney disease and liver disease.

Suck on ginger

Fresh ginger can help soothe inflamed mucous membranes of the larynx, David J. Hufford, Ph.D. of the Medical Humanities Department at Pennsylvania State University's College of Medicine, writes in How Stuff Works. He suggests sucking on candied ginger or drinking a cup of ginger tea. To make the tea, Hufford says: Cut a 1- to 2-inch piece of fresh ginger root into thin slices and place in 1 quart of boiling water. Cover the pot and simmer on the lowest heat for 30 minutes. Let cool for 30 more minutes, strain, and drink 1/2 to 1 cup three to five times a day. Sweeten with honey if needed.

Don't smoke or drink

If you smoke, try to stop. If you drink, knock that off, too. Both can cause laryngitis or definitely make it worse if you already have it.