Voice Issues
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Voice Issues

| Modified on Dec 26, 2023
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Are you suffering from a vocal cord disorder or have otherwise lost your voice? Do you suffer from acute or enduring voice issues? Certain home remedies can help soothe inflamed vocal folds and throat tissues so that you can get your normal voice back.

Singers in particular often have a treasure trove of various folk remedies for restoring a lost voice or repairing a sore throat or vocal folds. Some of these home remedies can be effective, some of them can do more harm than good.

Home Remedies: Hydration, especially with warm beverages, should be your first step to restore your voice. Honey, vinegar, and cayenne are traditional home remedies for both soothing and stimulating a sore throat or inflamed vocal tissues. For long-term or developing vocal issues such as the loss of speech that can come with Parkinson's, speech therapy and certain vocal exercises can strengthen the throat and mouth so as to improve vocal performance.


The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
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Apple Cider Vinegar

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Posted by Debi (Scranton, Pa) on 06/10/2011
 ★★★★★

Hi, I want to thank everyone for recommending Apple Cider Vinegar and Neti Pot for curing sinus infection. The unexpected bonus was helping me with a voice disorder/problem that I had since 2005. I would lose my voice for months at a time (sounding like Minnie Mouse) and get it back for a week or two. I went to 3 different ENTs and was told something different each time I went. Diagnoses ranged from a mental problem to getting the wrong kind of voice therapy. I have sinus/allergy problems since I was a child and tried taking OTC medications at the recommendation of my family Doctor for my Laryngitis but it never helped. I even tried Acid reflux meds. Nothing helped until this past March when I went online to look for a natural cure for a sinus infection I had, 2nd one in two months. I hate taking antibiotics. Never in my wildest dreams did I think Apple cider Vinegar would help my voice!!! I have had my voice for 11 weeks now and still counting!!! The longest I've had it since 2005!!! I take APV at least once a day, up to 3 times when I have a allergy/sinus problem and still have a voice!!! Thank you again! It's so great to talk normal again!!!

Replied by Shafer
(Paoli, Pa)
04/22/2012

I am not clear about apple cider vinegar. Should I use apple cider vinegar with neti pot or drink the vinegar separately? Thanks!

Replied by F Ahmed
(Dubai, Uae)
07/19/2012

Dear Debi, I am suffering from vocal disorder since last 8-9 months. In the begining it started with throat viral infection/cold/cough; in fact it has take a bad shape by now.

I have tried lots of anti-biotics, it heals tempoarary. If in case, I take anything sour/cold, the next morning it's a disaster.

I'm presently on homeopath medicine, lets see how it helps. Further, I will try Apple cider vinegar with water/2 teaspoon.

In any reader/sufferer with same symptoms can suggest... please advice.

Thank you, Faiz

Replied by Gail
(Mn)
04/01/2017

I have the same question: do you drink it or use a Neti pot? I hope someone answers this.

Replied by Raffy
(Botswana)
06/22/2017

Do you take it mixed with water or by itself?

Replied by Susie
(The South)
06/22/2017

Seems like the original poster hasn't been getting back to people. Usually people dilute apple cider vinegar in water - 1-3 teaspoons in a glass of water. Never drink it straight.

In a neti pot, try 1/2 teaspoon in 6-8 ounces of warm water. Never use vinegar straight inside the nose!

Cam
(Waikato, New Zealand)
07/07/2018

I am an auctioneer and this year I have really struggled with my voice.

Would apple cider vinegar be helpful for this and what about a mixture of ACV and Manuka honey?

Your feedback would be appreciated.

Thanks.

Replied by Wendy
(Columbus, Oh)
06/23/2017

Just a reminder to never use tap water in your neti pot or similar device used for nasal rinsing. Use filtered, or better yet, distilled water. Also, I've put @1/4 teaspoon in my warmed distilled water and "sniffed" that to help with a sinus infection; it worked. Sure it burned, but just a bit. Start with just a drop of the ACV and experiment with how much you can tolerate.

Replied by Sharon
(New Orleans, Louisiana)
04/07/2022

How much, and how do you take it. I have Spasmodic Dysphonia. Your story sounds very similar to mine. Mine started in 2005 during hurricane Katrina. Had all the treatments, need to try the ACV. PLEASE share your recipe with me. I appreciate it very much. Sharon

Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Barbara (Escalon, CA) on 07/20/2009

Acid Reflex Disease / PVFM

I was diagnosied with Paradoxal Vocal Fold Motion. I have been having Botox every three months to help my vocal cords to move more easily. Suddenly I am ready of have a trecheotomy. I have been scared to death. I know from what my doctor and some web sites have told me that part of the problem with vocal cord disorders is acid reflex. I just read you page so thought I would try the vinigar. I tried 2 T in a small amount of water. i tried the whol glas but couldn't drink that much so went to just about 2 oz of water and 2 T vinagar. I'm sitting here right now feeling amazing different. I don't know yet that it has helped but I believe it has. My throat seems cler and just the thought of not having a trecheomotry (can't spell) will make we try anything. I'm going to try this for awhile and see if it make a difference. I had surgery for Spasmodic Dysphonia (which took 30 years to diagnosis) also a vocal cord disorder. I had a horrible voice and Botox gave me back my voice right away for a few months. I had to go back every few months for Botox. Than I started having breathing problems. Actually I did have some breathing problems before this from a heart arythema. After getting that settled, I still couldln't breath. My vocal cords paralyzed and while on surgery table waiting for a trech surgery steroids started them to moving again so surgery was canceled, but still have sever breathing problems. Everything I read says that acid reflex is a major roll in Vocal cord disorders. Well, right this minute my throat feels clean and free for the first time in I don't know how long. I'm excited to see how this goes. Like I said I absolutely can't drive a whole class of water right down without throawith it back up, but about two inches of water and 2 T of apple cyder vinigar and I feel so different. I will let you know how this works as I try it for awhile. I haven't been taking acid reflex medicane but getting treated for vocal cord disorder. I believe in natural things and know that someone people got by without all this chemical medicine before we had it. I'll keep you posted. Thanks and feel free to email me.

Barbara

Replied by Kevlynn
(Michigan, US)
11/29/2014

If steroids cleared up your voice, then more likely than not losing your voice is due to an allergy. I found going to an allergist was a total waste of money, because they don't test for what you normally consume that others do...Also, the allergist I went to did not even test for wheat allergy, how odd is that when wheat is one of the most highly allergenic foods, reason to give rice cereal to babies, first! In addition, there are environmental factors that they just don't have a test for, such as different pollens, airplane fuel exhaust...you get what I mean? Could be your adrenals attacking your vocal chords, that happens when under extreme stress...I'd find a Natropath or any alternative treatment, (Manuka honey and Apple Cider Vinegar works for me, just mix some up together and sip on it before bed) before I'd ever consent to going under a knife. Good luck!

Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Zephyr (Chicago, IL) on 04/23/2009
 ★★★☆☆

WORKED TEMPORARILY

I tried 2 tsp of unfiltered cider vinegar in 12 oz. of water 3 times a day because I was losing my voice, or at least finding it difficult to force out a high-pitched rasp, by mid-day every day. It worked immediately, even allowed me to speaker at a lower pitch than normal. But I've been doing it for two weeks, and the effect is wearing off. Maybe I'll try using it on and off.

Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Peter (Manila, Philippines) on 02/19/2009

Been having problem with low voice. people are having hard time hearing what i am saying, and that really affects my self esteem. often times, i am not being paid attention especially when there are others who are speaking. they would never hear me. can ACV make my voice clear? or is there any better way of fixing it? I would really appreciate if you could provide me some help. thanks a lot.

Black Elderberry Syrup

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Posted by Jemma (New Orleans) on 05/11/2018
 ★★★★★

I lose my voice when I get sick, within the first 24 hours of getting a bug. It takes 3 days to get my voice back. My fix is to take a teaspoon of black elderberry syrup every few hours at the first sign of sore throat. Don't lose my voice. It also helps with severe sore throat pain.

Buteyko Breathing Method

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Posted by Elli (Utah) on 09/05/2015
 ★★★★★

I have Vocal Cord Dysfunction and asthma and the Buteyko Method was amazing. I've never been on medication and have some allergies so I wasnt happy about using Albuterol and other drugs, It was literally a life saver, took a few days but noticed a difference.

I don't need to tape my mouth every night any more and can go hiking again. Really it was a huge Heaven Sent Miracle for me.

Helichrysum Italicum for Vocal Nodules

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Posted by Sunnya (Stockholm, Sweden) on 12/25/2023
 ★★★★★

Helichrysum Italicum for Vocal Nodules

After overusing my voice I had a horribly weak and raspy voice for months...probably vocal nodules. I tried a lot of stuff and nothing really helped, but after starting to drink Helichrysum Italicum tea daily, I started seeing rapid and real improvements. After about 2 weeks of taking it I had an appointment with a laryngologist, and he said he couldn't see anything unusual on my vocal cords at all. At this point my voice also felt almost back to normal again. The only other thing I started doing at the same time that might have also been the "cure" for me was that I started wearing an amber bead necklace...usually these are used for teething babies and I thought it couldn't hurt trying it...so I am not sure if it was the Helichrysum tea or the amber necklace or a combination of both, but yea my voice is almost back to where it was before and I am so happy.

Multiple Remedies

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Posted by Hira (Dhaka, Bangladesh) on 05/12/2011
 ★★★★★

I'm a singer and having problems with my vocal and breathing for last few years. I was looking for a herbal remedy for acid reflux, laryngitis, sore throat, asthma, obese and excessive phlem problems. Earth clinic provided me the answer beside other folks around me.

1. Apple Cider Vinegar

2. Hydrogen peroxide (I'm taking lemon for that, don't through away any part of lemon and eat whole thing)

3. Raw honey with black seed oil (1:4) etc.

4. Black bean (chhola in Bengali)

5. licorice root (joshThi modhu in Bengali) - add in your tea with ginger and lemon and you have a great soothing remedy for throat/vocal

Note: *avoid eating rice, wheat, and dairy products, instead try to eat more vegetable (tomato, carrots etc. ) and fruits (green apple, banana) in your meal **avoid salt ***Do as much as Yoga, exercise, jogging (I'm also playing soccer with my buddies and feeling great) as possible on daily basis and at same time ****If you are recovering from vocal problem, do light vocal warmup/practice each day at same time.. Increase practice time and try higher notes if you gain enough strength and comfort in your vocal.. Never over-do anything; I'm a sufferer and I know how it feels when singing is your life and you can't sing..

IN DHAKA, BANGLADESH, I found the all natural Heinz Apple Cider Vinegar in "MEENA BAZAR" super shop, RD. #27 (old), 16(new), Dhanmondi, Dhaka. You can try other branches of Meena Bazar or other super shops.

FYI, I couldn't find Hydrogen peroxide in Meena Bazar. So, I'm sticking with lemon (again I slice the lemon in 4 pieces and eat 1/4- the whole thing not just the liquid), coconut/coconut milk etc. to get enough H2O2.

I hope you will get well soon..

~Hira

Replied by Sujata
(Gilbert, Arizona)
05/21/2014

Dear Hira, For the vocal problems you listed so many things, but did not mention how you are suppose to take it, I am too a singer so if you could please help with details would really appreciate it.

Thanks Sujata

Smoker's Voice Remedies

Posted by Jfm (London, Uk) on 06/25/2013

Hi, I have been a smoker for the last 25 years (female), approx 20 cigarettes a day. I have now given up (one and a half weeks) and am using an electronic cigarette.

The problem is my voice. I've had comments over the years such as you 'have you got a cold, you sound blocked up' when speaking to people I don't know on the phone, or 'haven't you got a deep voice', again, from someone I didn't know.

I assume it's the cigarettes that have done this to my voice but I don't know for sure. Can anyone suggest anything I can do.

Replied by Cecile
(Cape Town, South Africa)
06/25/2013

Hi JFM, A TELLTALE sign of SULFUR DEPLETION is when the voice drops in pitch and it will go lower and deeper each day if not remedied. You probably also do not tolerate fats, dairy and oils very well... Thats the way it OFTEN goes but can change for the better once your sulfur is up! Smoking is known to significantly deplete sulfur stores. My suggestion would be, now that you have made a serious health choice by quitting smoking, to also go one further and address correcting any damage done. Luckily sulfur it is found in many foodstuffs. Juicing is a fabulous way, use vegetables and fruit in combinations you like... Carrots and red cabbage, cucumber, watercress, sorrel, cauliflour, spinach, apples, cranberries, peaches, blackberries, figs.... GARLIC, onions, radishes. If you don't want to juice, try eating as many of the above as possible. Eggs will be a great choice as sulfur's effectiveness is diminished by insufficient protein. Also get a good multivitamin in the beginning of your program as sulfur is more effective when taken with B complex. Best wishes!

Replied by Mama To Many
(Middle, Tennessee, Usa)
06/26/2013

Hi JMF! Congratulations on quitting smoking! Apple Cider Vinegar is something people have used for voice problems with success. It is helpful for many things and inexpensive. Definitely worth a try. Give it some time to work... it took a long time for you lungs and voice to get to this point.

Here is what to do: 2 T. Raw Unpasturized Apple Cider Vinegar (at health food stores and large grocery stores. ) in a mug of water with 1 T. Honey. Add 6 oz. hot water. Drink twice a day. You might need to start out with less- maybe 2 t. at a time and work up to 2 T. You may notice other health issues improving with this.

Cecile's suggestions of juicing are also great.

Another thing that comes to mind is what we call "steaming. " When my children have had asthma issues, mono, cough, we have "steamed" with great success. I think it could be helpful for you as it would get the healing herbs right to the source of the problem. This is what we do:

Mix together equal parts of:

minced garlic (dry) minced onion (dry), thyme, sage, cinnamon chips, caraway seeds, cloves

(skip whatever isn't on hand unless you don't have any of these. :) )

Boil a pan of water. Add 2 T. of herb mix. Use a towel to cover your head over the steam. (You want to make a little tent to keep the steam in.) (Careful not to burn yourself on your pot of herb water.) Breathe this steaming mixture for 10 minutes. Up to 20 minutes is fine.) Ideally you would do this twice a day. Once a day if time is an issue.) It could take weeks or months to heal this problem.

Let us know what helps you! God bless you!

~Mama to Many~

Vocal Chord Issue

Posted by Elli (Utah) on 01/09/2014

Hi, recently I've been diagnosed with vocal chord dysfunction, has anyone ad any luck with natural remedies for this? I don't eat, gluten, corn, soy, dairy, or yeast. And I believe these are why Im not dying from vcd. But any extra advice would help. Thanks!

Replied by Om
(Hope Bc Canada)
01/09/2014

Elli from Utah

Oil pulling may be the answer especially, as vocal chords seem to be adversely affected by phlegm. I have done oil pulling for over two years. Before that I often was plagued by "sick" voice close to laryngitis. That has disappeared. Also the olefactory sense is benefitted as well as hearing acuity.

As a result I have all my teeth as a senior and keep working at it. Oil pulling can become quite natural in daily regime and prevents halitosis and a number of complaints that tend to occur. Ultimately blood is purified and serious diseases can be cured. There is a Dr. who cured himself of a serious blood disease. If you google "oil pulling" you may find out more about this age old healing/cleansing method.

The oil used must be pure sesame oil. Namaste, Om

Vocal Cord Issue

Posted by Samina (Dubai, United Arab Emirates) on 11/17/2011

Hi, When my son was born, we were not able to hear his cry, there was no volume, with time he got volume but was very low, we saw different doctors but they advise to wait, they said his vocal cord muscles are softer as compare to normal cords and it happens with some kids, but with time it will become hard, with time his voice was impoving and still there was wait from doctors side.

Now he is 7 years old, his high pitch is totally clear but low pitch sounds like if he is having flu (who ever meets him 1st time always ask that his voice is not clear, does he has flu), doctors are telling me to wait till his puberty, I am worried. Is it fine to wait this long without any treatment and are there any chances that with puberty voice changes he will improve his soft pitch? Is there any home remedy to use during this time? Please advise me.

Vocal Cord Issue
Posted by Teedee (Las Vegas, Nv, Usa) on 09/10/2011

About 3 weeks ago I woke speaking in a whisper. After drinking water I got my voice back but notice it cracks when I hit a higher pitch when speaking. I wonder if I developed a polyp or nodule on by vocal cords. I have been taking aloe vera which really cleared the mucus in my throat. I have been dripping aloe mixed with baking soda down the back of my nose. All seems to help with mucus but nothing has helped shrink whatever is on my vocal cords. Any suggestions is welcome.

Vocal Cord Issue
Posted by Mama (London, Ontario) on 04/04/2010

I have a question for Ted and anyone else who might have an answer.

A friend of mine(an older gentleman) has a health concern that the doctors are dumbfounded about and he really needs our help, E.C.'s help.

A few years ago he was talking to some people and his voice collapsed; meaning it lost it's vocal power, his neck tightened and got sore and when he tried to speak his words were almost breathless.

Years later it is still the same - he can talk but it is as if someone is squeezing his neck and cutting of his vocal power and breath. It bothers him a great deal because he loves to talk and has much wisdom to share. It is painful for him to talk and I can see how he rubs his neck and strains to speak. The doctors can't help him and he is otherwise very healthy. It is just so weird how his voice was perfect without any problem - and then suddenly struggling.

Have you heard of anything like this?
Can something be done to help him regain his normal voice?

Any help would be so much appreciated,
Mama

Replied by Robin
(Pasadena, Ca)
04/27/2010

These symptoms are common with a rare condition named spasmodic dysphonia. Of course, they may be due to other conditions too. You may want to do a on-line search on spasmodic dysphonia for more information.

Replied by Lou
(Tyler, Tx)
06/01/2012

I was just experiencing very sore vocal cords. My voice was cracking and I couldn't sing. I went to what is our equivalent of a Whole Foods and asked the person who sells health supplements what I could take. She recommended Ginger Chews!!! It's like a ginger gummie with powedered sugar on it. I have consumed two bags of them within 3 days (I'm sure that's excessive) and my voice is much much better. Be sure to have some water handy when chewing them. They get hot!!!

Voice Loss

Posted by Rita (Taos, N.m.) on 08/13/2013

When I drink just one glass grapfruit juice my voice goes like I have laryngitis... It also goes with any other fruit juice. It also goes with wheat bread, pizza, even grapes. I am not a diabetic. Anybody have similar reaction and could they offer advice? I have told about 6 doctors and they don't believe me.

Replied by Timh
(Louisville)
08/15/2013
2048 posts

@Rita: This looks like a case of antioxidant deficiency especially Vit-A and Zinc. I would recommend 1 5000 iu vit-a daily with meal, plus Zinc Lozenge as recommended on label. These should provide the cell's integrity necessary to prevent those flare-ups.


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