Traditional Cure of Laryngitis in the Philippines

by: Mary Ann Bolanos

Sore throat or Laryngitis can hit you anywhere. It is commonly  called  "sore throat". Common symptoms are:

1. Itchy throat.

2. Onset of headache, migraine, fever.

3. You can only whisper because the throat is swelling.  You are highly infectious at this stage. 

The common cause of laryngitis is virus. You can feel very weak during the height of the virus attack. Typically it is not advisable to take antibiotics. On the third day, you will loose your voice. The virus typically lasts for a week if properly managed. 

Here is what I usually do when I get laryngitis and I am traveling:

1. Upon arriving on site, eat hot chicken soup with l bulb of onion, half bulb of garlic, 2 whole American pepper, salt and pepper.  

I drink lots of fluids and calamansi juice. Calamansi is the lemon version in the Philippines. Calamansi is small and green and shape like an orange, but its diameter is close to a penny.  Calamansi juice is best drank with wild honey, and lukewarm if you will be using it to combat laryngitis. 

2. If you feel like scratching your throat in the inside ...but you can't... buy or order fresh ginger, cut it into julienne cut, and chew it. The ginger is  bitter, however, the magical effect is  - you can breathe freely, and your throat clears through. It will facilitate sleep and rest. Make sure you have one pitcher of lukewarm water near your bedside. 

3. Take 2 T of virgin coconut oil 3x a day. It clears the cold and cough virus which typically follows thru the laryngitis. If you can't take virgin coconut oil, drink lots of fresh (coconut) buko juice, and eat 1 small bowl of coconut meat. 

4. Sleep 

5. Have fun despite of the laryngitis. You have come far away. Just ask your friends to take vitamins and minerals to ward off viruses. 

Unfortunately the laryngitis virus can be very infectious if your friends have not developed antibodies against it. So better just have extra vitamin C, virgin coconut oil and ginger to share with them, in case they got it when they are in the Philippines. 

Laryngitis or not...The first three weeks of May is the best time to be at the Philippines beach! Do not miss the opportunity.