Q. For two consecutive years after a prolonged, forceful cough that lasted one or two months, I totally lost my voice. My ENT doctor diagnosed me with chronic laryngitis and prescribed medication and lozenges. They offered no relief, though.
Then I was told by the old women from our home place, the Philippines, to avoid cold drinks and to take “salabat.” That’s ginger tea in our dialect. My voice returned. Ginger tea is also good for sore throat and hoarse voice.
A. Ginger has a long history in treating nausea, vomiting, flatulence and other digestive disorders. It has also been used for congestion, cough and bronchitis. Thanks for letting us know how well it worked for your laryngitis.
Another reader had a great experience with ginger for a persistent cough: “Ginger is amazing! I had a really dry cough that went on for three weeks. I tried antibiotics, mucolytics, gargles and anesthetic lozenges but they didn’t work. Then my father suggested that I chop some raw ginger root, chew the pieces like candy and suck the juice out of them. I tried it and the following day, my cough was gone.”
