Hoarse Voice: Ayurvedic Treatment, Causes & Natural Remedies
Svara-bedha
Cause Hoarseness may result from Vayu, Pitta, Kapha, Tridossha, TB, or excess weight. Symptoms: Vayu: The throat is dry, harsh, unsteady and thorny. Relief comes from oily and warm foods and liquids. Pitta: Burning sensation and dryness of the palate and throat, inability to speak. Kapha: The throat
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Recommended Herbs for Hoarse Voice
Amla Emblica officinalis Amla (Indian Gooseberry) is the most revered herb in Ayurveda — ranked by the Charaka Samhita as the single best Rasayana among all fruits. It contains one of the highest concentrations of Vitamin C found in any food (600–900 mg per fruit), stabilized by tannins so it remains potent even after drying. Classical texts classify it as Tridosha Shamaka — balancing to all three doshas — with a particular strength in cooling Pitta, nourishing the blood, and rebuilding tissues after illness. Arjuna Terminalia arjuna (Roxb.) W. & A. Arjuna is one of the most important cardiac drugs in Ayurveda. It is a large evergreen tree found along river banks throughout India. The bark is thick, smooth, white-grey and peels off in flat pieces. The bark is the principal medicinal part. It is the drug of choice in Hridroga (heart diseases) and is used extensively in cardiac debility, heart failure, and angina. The bark is given with milk or as decoction with honey. Arjuna bark strengthens the heart muscle and improves cardiac output. It is also useful in fractures - the bark decoction promotes bone healing. The bark ash is applied to wounds. The chemical composition includes Arjunin (a glycoside), Arjunic acid, about 16% tannin, and significant quantities of Calcium. Vagbhata recommends it specifically for heart conditions. Dose: Bark powder 3-6 masha; decoction 1-2 tola. Verses: Described under Vatadi Varga. Bala Sida cordifolia Linn Bala (Sida cordifolia) is one of the most important Rasayana drugs in Ayurveda. It is a small shrub growing commonly in waste lands. The entire plant, especially the root, is used medicinally. Four types of Bala are recognized in classical texts: Bala (Sida cordifolia), Atibala (Abutilon indicum), Nagabala (Grewia hirsuta), and Mahabala. Bala is the premier Vatahara and Balya drug - it increases strength (Bala), nourishes Ojas, and acts as a powerful tonic and rejuvenative. The root decoction is used in Vata diseases, nervous debility, and as a general restorative. It contains small amounts of Ephedrine. It is sweet in taste and cold in potency, making it ideal for Pitta-Vata conditions. Used extensively in medicated oils (Bala Taila) for external application in neuromuscular disorders. Dose: root powder 1-2 masha; decoction 1-2 tola. Black Pepper Pipernigrum Linn. Asthma, chronic indigestion, colon toxins,obesity, sinus congestion, fever, intermittent fever, The Ayurveda Encyclopedia 96cold extremities, colic, cooking spice, cholera, gastric ailments, gas, diarrhea, hemorrhoids,worms, sore throat; externally applied as a paste to boils, skin diseases. Clove Syzygium aromaticum Lavanga (Cloves) are the dried unopened flower buds of the clove tree. Despite being pungent, they have a cooling potency (Sheeta Virya), which makes them unique among spices. Cloves are one of the most versatile aromatic drugs in Ayurveda - they improve digestion, relieve nausea and vomiting, benefit the heart, and help in respiratory conditions. The essential oil is rich in Eugenol which has strong antiseptic and analgesic properties, making cloves particularly useful for dental pain. Mother cloves (fruits) are also used. Cloves pacify all three doshas. Ginger (Ardraka Zingiber officinale Roscoe — synonym Inchi; fresh ginger rhizome. Haritaki Terminalia chebula Retz Jaundice, colic, anemia, cough, asthma,hoarse voice, hiccup, vomiting, hemorrhoids, di-arrhea, malabsorption, abdominal distention, gas, fevers, urinary diseases parasitic infection, tumors, blood purifier, spleen and liver disorders; garglefor sore throat, mouth, or spongy, ulcerated gums;muscular rheumatism, with sugar water for oph-thalmia; heart, skin, itching, edema, nervous disorders, rejuvenative, feeds the brain and nerves;small doses good for both diarrhea and consti-pation (also chronic); digestion, atonic indigestion,bleeding hemorrhoids, longevity, paralysis, head-ache, epilepsy, melancholy, memory, wisdom, in-telligence, organ prolapse, excessive discharges (cough, sweat, sperm, menorrhagia, leukorrhea); one of the three herbs in triphala . Externally for Vayu swellings, burns, scalds, skin disorders. Spiritual Uses: Gives pure awareness ( hiva energy) Licorice Glycyzrrhiza glabra Linn Excellent for acidity, voice, and heart tonic (with warm milk), Vayu dossha , bronchitis, colds, cough, laryngitis, general debility, emetic (in large doses), inflammation, mental calming, mucus liquefying and expectorating, mucus membrane tonerand soother, muscle spasms, sore throat, ulcers(contains natural ulcer-healing steroid precursers),urination pain. Cleanses lungs and stomach of Kapha. For colds and flu, mix with ginger (1:1).Blood purification, abdominal pain, nourishes thebrain increasing cranial and cerebrospinal fluid.Improves complexion, hair, and vision. Spiritual Uses: Sattwic ; gives contentment and harmony Punarnava Boerhaavia diffusa Punarnava (Boerhaavia diffusa) is one of the most important diuretic and anti-edema herbs in Ayurveda. Its name literally means 'that which renews the body.' The text distinguishes between two species: Boerhaavia diffusa (Rakta Punarnava, red variety) and Trianthema portulacastrum (Shweta Punarnava, white variety). However, the text notes these are often confused and The Wealth of India Vol.1 clarifies that B. diffusa is the true Punarnava. The plant is a prostrate, spreading herb with reddish stems. The root is the main medicinal part, containing the alkaloid Punarnavine (0.04%). It is sweet, bitter, astringent, light, dry, and hot in potency. It is the premier herb for edema (Shotha) and fluid retention - being strongly diuretic. Also useful in heart diseases, liver disorders, kidney diseases, anemia, and as a rejuvenative. The text mentions it is also valuable in ascites, nephritis, and general debility. Dose: root powder 1-3 grams; decoction 40-80 ml. Verse refs: pages 421-423. Sea Salt Sodii muras (Sodium chloride — sea-derived) Common salt from sea water evaporation. Unlike Saindhava (Rock Salt), it aggravates Pitta and is considered inferior for medicinal use. However, it is the most commonly used salt in cooking worldwide. Tulsi OcimumSpp. or O. Sanctum or O. basilicum Coughs (including TB-caused), colds, ex-cellent for fevers, lung/respiratory problems(praoavaha srotas ) liquefies phlegm, allergic bronchitis, asthma, eosinophilia. Abdominal distention, absorption/bioavailability, arthritis, colon(air excess), memory, nasal/sinus congestion, si-nus headache (as snuff), blood and heart tonic;oxygenates the body, cleanses and clears the brain and nerves; strengthens nerve tissue, relieves de-pression and the effects of poisons; reduces pain,difficult urination, prevents the accumulation of fatin the body (especially for women after meno-pause), obstinate skin diseases, arthritis, rheuma-tism, first stages of many cancers, builds the immune system. Improves digestion and appetite and destroys ama, good for worms, empowers other herbs. It is chewed for gum infection. Tulsi contains trace mineral copper (organic form), neededto absorb iron. Helps prevent hair-loss and gray-ing. Oil is used for earaches. Reduces swellings. Section 3: Therapeutics Chapter 4: Herbology 107Purifies the air (when grown in the house a natural negative ion machine); it frees ozone from sun srays Spiritual Uses: Sattwic , opens heart and mind, gives love, devotion, faith, compassion, and clarity; sa-cred to Visshou and K^sshoa ; cleanses the aura and gives Divine protection. It increases praoa (life breath). One of the two most sacred plants in India. It develops pure awareness Turmeric Curcuma longa Linn Amenorrhea, anemia, arthritis, blood purifier, blood tissue formation, circulation, cookingspice, cough, diabetes, worms, jaundice, eye problems, fevers, gas, hemorrhoids, edema, indigestion, ligament stretching, metabolism regulator; mucusrelief, and hysteria (from inhaling fumes); phar-yngitis, protein digesting, skin disorders, abscess,urinary diseases, wound and bruise healer; a natural antibiotic which also improves intestinal flora;inflammatory bowel syndrome (e.g., ulcerativecolitis), Crohn s Disease, chronic hepatitis, chronicbronchial asthma, psoriasis, all inflammatory con-ditions. External acne, insect bites, sore eyes, withhoney or aloe gel for bruises or sprains. Spiritual Uses: Gives one the Divine Goddess s energy and prosperity; chakra and subtle body cleanser; limbers for yoga asana practice
▶ Classical Text References (1 sources)
Ayurvedic Perspective on Hoarse Voice
Dosha Involvement: Vata, Pitta, Kapha
Ayurvedic Therapies: for this type of hoarse-ness. Over Weight: Kapha symptoms, some difficulty speaking. There is no therapy for this type of hoarse-ness.Therapies: All forms of TB are caused by simultaneous de- rangement of all three dosshas. Depending upon one s strength, the predominant dossha aggravating the con- dition, and the stage of development, the appropriate therapies are applied. There a two general therapeu-tic categories: the specific and general. Specific dis-orders include colds, headache, and difficulty breath- ing. All seven of the weakened tissue elements mustbe balanced to promote general hea
Key Herbs: Triphala, Guggul, Turmeric, Tulsi, Ginger, Licorice, Arjuna, Punarnava, Chitrak, Bala, Haritaki, Amalaki
Source: The Ayurveda Encyclopedia, Chapter 19: Ear, Nose, Throat
Medical Disclaimer: The information on this page is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Ayurvedic treatments should be pursued under the guidance of a qualified practitioner (BAMS/MD Ayurveda). Always consult your healthcare provider before starting any new treatment. Content is sourced from classical Ayurvedic texts and may not reflect the latest medical research.