Natural Health: How can I help my soccer-mad hubby with his post-match hoarseness?

Plus: how to recover from post-bug tiredness and soreness

Pure aloe vera juice is another quick and easy solution for soothing strained vocal cords.

My husband is passionate about the local football team and goes to nearly every match. However, he often comes home hoarse from the shouting. Sometimes, it can take him up to a week to recover his voice. Is there a remedy he could take to protect his vocal cords?

Throat Coat tea is a well-known herbal combination often used by vocalists and public speakers. 

While this blend has many variations, it usually contains liquorice root, marshmallow root, slippery elm powder, and wild cherry bark. 

It may also have fennel seeds, cinnamon bark, sweet orange peel, and calamus root added for flavour and therapeutic benefits.

This tea coats and soothes the throat and vocal cords, preventing and treating irritation.

Your husband could use this type of infusion before going to a match and then again for a few days afterwards. 

Use a teaspoon of the dried herbal combination per cup of boiling water and steep for eight to 10 minutes. For additional benefits, add raw honey.

Pure aloe vera juice is another quick and easy solution for soothing strained vocal cords. 

It is essential to choose pure juice instead of a sweetened and flavoured aloe-based drink which has little aloe juice and no medicinal benefits. 

Your husband will need to take around 20ml twice daily. Again, this remedy can be used preventatively and to soothe his vocal cords after a match.

I recently picked up a bug — a sore throat and cough. The symptoms have eased, but my energy levels are low. What would you suggest?

Many people are struggling with post-viral fatigue. To support your constitution and vitality, botanicals from TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) can help you beat that ‘flat battery’ feeling.

These ‘jing’ herbs tend to be very dark in colour or brew as a dark infusion. 

They can be used for chronic illness and post-viral recovery. Rehmannia root, star anise, Schisandra berries, and nigella seeds are excellent dark botanicals that can help replenish your energy levels.

Rehmannia root is a blood tonic, useful where allergies and intolerances occur frequently, and can help in cases if bone weakness is an issue.

Star anise is a rich source of vitamins and minerals that is also good for digestion. It is also a potent antioxidant with anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antifungal, and antibacterial properties.

Schisandra berries are adaptogenic, supporting liver function, helping with endurance, and boosting energy levels. 

They are often recommended for mental and physical exhaustion. Nigella sativa seeds are packed with antioxidants and can help relax smooth muscles. They are also thought to have cancer-fighting properties.

Along with these valuable herbal remedies to help restore your energy reserves, some foods deeply nourish your body and help to banish fatigue. 

Once again, begin by looking for dark and richly coloured foods such as berries, plums, and beetroot, along with the healthy fats found in avocado, nuts, seeds, and coconut.

Antioxidants, particularly vitamins A, C, E, and selenium, can help fight off free radicals and rejuvenate your body at a cellular level.

Vitamin A protects the skin and internal mucous membranes and can be found in fish oil, carrots, green and yellow vegetables, eggs, milk, dairy products, and yellow fruits.

Vitamin C, present in almost all fruits and vegetables, boosts the immune system and reduces stress levels. It is also crucial for tissue growth and repair.

Vitamin E helps lower blood pressure, boost energy levels, reduce the risk of blood clotting, and protect the lungs from environmental pollution. It is most abundant in nuts, seeds, and leafy green vegetables.

Selenium — shown to reduce the risk of some cancers — can be found in Brazil nuts, organic grains, pumpkin seeds, kidneys, and liver.