​5 Remedies for Relieving Your Strained Voice

The human voice is a delicate tool and when used properly, it rarely goes wrong. However, our environment, cold weather months, air-conditioned atmospheres, and even the lack of proper voice care can lead to dryness and hoarseness in the throat. Here are five remedies that can help relieve your strained voice:

1. Drink Lots of Water

Hydrate your vocal cords with room temperature or warm water. This keeps your throat lubricated, which can help protect your voice. Keep in mind, if you live in a dry climate or at high elevation, both of which are tougher on the voice, it is especially important to keep yourself hydrated throughout the day!

2. Breathe Moist Air

When your voice is feeling hoarse or strained, it is important to keep those vocal cords from getting dry. Regularly inhaling steam from heated water can keep your voice in good condition and prevent vocal strain by reducing swelling. Use a humidifier to keep the air throughout your home, classroom or studio moist. You can also inhale steam from a bowl of hot water or a hot shower.

3. Gargle Salt Water

The antibacterial property of saltwater kills harmful bacteria, soothes an irritated throat and minimizes pain. Add half a teaspoon of salt to an 8 ounce glass of warm water and stir to let the salt dissolve. Gargle the salty water in the back of the throat, then spit it out. Be careful to not swallow the water!

4. Manage Your Stress

Did you know that stress is one of the more common causes of hoarseness? Stress can be very harmful to the voice because it causes the vocal cords to become tense and strained. Relaxation techniques such as meditation, deep breathing and regular exercise can help eliminate further damage.

5. Grether’s Pastilles of course!

Grether’s Pastilles help soothe strained voices due to dryness and hoarseness in the throat by using glycerin sourced from only the highest quality vegetable oils. This ingredient creates a protective film around the vocal cord and helps eliminate dry cough and dry mouth.