Laryngitis is inflammation of the laryngeal mucous membrane and vocal cords, and pharyngitis is inflammation of the pharyngeal mucous membranes. These diseases cause a dry sore throat, hoarseness and loss of voice. These diseases can be very serious and require immediate medical attention if they occur in infants. Before diagnosing laryngitis or pharyngitis it is important to rule out strep throat, requiring a throat swab by a physician.
To treat simple cases, you can find slippery elm bark or horehound (Marrubium vulgare) lozenges at your health food store. Herbal teas can often be useful treatments for even serious cases. Make a strong tea from herbs that fight heat, infection and inflammation, like honeysuckle flowers, tulsi, forsythia fruit, peppermint leaf, ginger root, echinacea, mullein flowers, licorice root, scute root and high doses of Andrographis (A. paniculata) and isatis root or leaves. Add 20-40 drops of the very effective tincture of white sage (Salvia apiana) and drink a cup every two to three hours, making sure to gargle a bit.
