Throat Remedies

[Rokket]

Would this make me sound like Steve Perry?

Might try it if it works.

Will my "Lawyer" approve?
Ed

OK, as long as you understand completely that I do not endorse, nor recommend this technique!

BTW, if you want to ever have children, it's not a good idea to keep them on for long periods of time, nor repeated attempts..

 

[true-eurt]

I try not to scream..or push my voice on a bad day....most any herbal tea/honey/lemon (I try to avoid any black teas..they tend to dry my voice out..)and drink at room temp...not just your liquids..but your food as well...you can burn the chords..they can be damaged ...I find that a tea of chamomile/honey/lemon is great...but my favorite is cayene(it's heat will not do damage)/lemon and honey.Don't over-do the salt thing..sea-salt is best(in room-temp water)Same goes for the lemon. I bought some of that clear-voice spray once..I thought I was going to loose my voice...whatever is in it must have had an adverse affect ...so beware..
And as was already said earlier..no dairy...nasty...this is what the cayenne tea is good for...to clear out everything.. ...err..best to sip several hrs before...and do the herbal thing during....Don't forget to rest your voice too.
Hope this gives you some helpful tips...Just think of your voice as an Instrument....the more it gets abused, the less it will work...Take care of it and it will be your friend...geeze...this is getting corny now.. I do have experience here...I am one who did not take care of my voice for years...you can't repair the damage done...

 

[BentRabbit]

That vice grip on the nuts does work, though...seriously.

This one time.... at band camp... there was this girl who... well....

(hmmmm....)

Well... Have you ever had a horse eat oats out of your hand...?

 

[Rokket]

This one time.... at band camp... there was this girl who... well....

(hmmmm....)

Well... Have you ever had a horse eat oats out of your hand...?

WHOA! That was a visual image!!!!

 

[obester]

Do not drink:
Coffee or Cola, anything with caffeine. It's a diuretic that pulls water from your body (including your vocal cords) I don't know how many jams I wondered why I lost my voice some nights and not on others and realized I was stopping for a latte on those days.

Do drink:
Lots of water. Not all at once, but through out the day every day. Keeping your body hydrated is one of the most important ways of protecting your voice and ensuring sustained quality throughout a long proformance.
Make sure you warm up your vocal cords by drinking warm tea, etc, before you sing and go through your excersizes.

Also can try - I've heard that eating greasy food before singing can slick up the vocal cords and help to lubricate them. KFC, potato chips or whatever. Give it a try. I tried it a bit, but couldn't tell if it made a difference.

Just try different things and you'll find what works for you. Good luck!

 

[johnnymegabyte]

I have asked a few major rock singers, and their responses are usually...
1. drink lots of water.
2. don't drink alcohol, pop, coffee or tea ( they all dehydrate )
3. Jolly Ranchers or "sucking on" a Fisherman's Friend
4. get lots of sleep

 

[scrubs]

and drink at room temp...not just your liquids..but your food as well...you can burn the chords..they can be damaged

I've heard that eating greasy food before singing can slick up the vocal cords and help to lubricate them. KFC, potato chips or whatever. Give it a try. I tried it a bit, but couldn't tell if it made a difference.

Just to clarify, both of these suggestions are anatomically incorrect. Neither food, nor liquid passes through/over the vocal cords when you eat/drink. The food/liquid goes down your esophagus to your stomach. The vocal cords are located anterior to (in front of) the esophagus at the entrance to the trachea (windpipe - leads to your lungs). When you swallow, the trachea is closed off, so food doesn't go down into your lungs (which would be bad).

It is often advised to avoid cold liquids when singing, because cold causes muscles to contract, which would tighten up the supporting structures of your throat.

Here's a picture:

 

[React]

I think I'd try a vice grip on my nuts before I tried paint thinner. I work around that shit all day. It's nasty...

Seriously i used to paint.....

 

[Folkie]

There is an herbal tea on the market called "Throat Coat" that is very soothing, however I would not recommend it before a gig (as its label implies, it does coat the throat.) Afterwards it is good--really seems to work for me anyway--for helping the throat rest. Seems to take away that raw feeling you can get. Also good for a sore (or even scratchy) throat or when you get a cold. The company that sells it is Traditional Medicinals, and you can find it in the herbal tea section of of some grocery stores--Whole Foods, for example, if there's one near you, but especially the "organic" type grocery store that us hippies frequent.
Performing Songwriter magazine had a throat care article a few months back that covered throat care and injuries pretty well. Their website isn't too helpful for finding it, however. Here's a UK site that might be of interest. http://www.vocalist.org.uk/vocal_health_links.html

 

[true-eurt]

Just to clarify, both of these suggestions are anatomically incorrect. Neither food, nor liquid passes through/over the vocal cords when you eat/drink. The food/liquid goes down your esophagus to your stomach. The vocal cords are located anterior to (in front of) the esophagus at the entrance to the trachea (windpipe - leads to your lungs). When you swallow, the trachea is closed off, so food doesn't go down into your lungs (which would be bad).

It is often advised to avoid cold liquids when singing, because cold causes muscles to contract, which would tighten up the supporting structures of your throat.

Here's a picture:

Kooooooooooooool.....Thanks for the Anatomy lesson...It is true..you are never too old too learn,If you shut your mouth and listen.. weeeeeeeeeell shut my mouth!!!!... Okay I am listening...Thanks again..But.. Then all the honey ,teas, lozenges and such are a waste of time????Or are these just for the comfort of your throat..?And IF you do burn your throat...you will not be singing any songs...or even talking well...so would they not be affected after all..?....Just in a different way???

 

[scrubs]

Thenall the honey ,teas,lozenges and such are a waste of time????Or are these just for the comfort of your throat..?And IF you do burn your throat...you will not be singing any songs...or even talking well...so would they not be affected after all..?....Just in a different way???

No, they are not a waste. Throat irritation involves much more than just the vocal cords (In fact, a "sore throat" rarely involves the cords, themselves -- it affects the surrounding structures like your tonsils, etc.). When you sing, you are moving a lot of air through those structures and they can get dried out and scratchy (you also lose a fair amount of liquid as vapor when you are singing). Lozenges usually contain menthol which numbs the nerves a little to suppress your cough reflex that results from a dry throat. Drinking warm liquids relaxes the muscles of the throat (less tension). Any water-based liquid (water is best) will help keep you (and your throat) hydrated and less prone to damage.

 

[gtar02]

There was a really good article about this in the last tape op. It recommended a tea called throat coat. You can get it in the organic food sections. It has some ind of tree bark that coats your vocal chords. I tried it just to say if I liked it, but have not tried it before singing to see how good it works. Just a suggestion. I would just say drink plenty of water, and maybe use some saline nasal spray often enough to keep things moist, but make sure it is sterile and that get a new one if you have been sick.

 

[true-eurt]

No, they are not a waste. Throat irritation involves much more than just the vocal cords (In fact, a "sore throat" rarely involves the cords, themselves -- it affects the surrounding structures like your tonsils, etc.). When you sing, you are moving a lot of air through those structures and they can get dried out and scratchy (you also lose a fair amount of liquid as vapor when you are singing). Lozenges usually contain menthol which numbs the nerves a little to suppress your cough reflex that results from a dry throat. Drinking warm liquids relaxes the muscles of the throat (less tension). Any water-based liquid (water is best) will help keep you (and your throat) hydrated and less prone to damage.

Okay..thanks for the info...What I said does do the trick, even if my cords are not exposed..You did enlighten me on the anatomy though.... I have used the fishermans lozenge and I really like them...

 

[true-eurt]

There was a really good article about this in the last tape op. It recommended a tea called throat coat. You can get it in the organic food sections. It has some ind of tree bark that coats your vocal chords. I tried it just to say if I liked it, but have not tried it before singing to see how good it works. Just a suggestion. I would just say drink plenty of water, and maybe use some saline nasal spray often enough to keep things moist, but make sure it is sterile and that get a new one if you have been sick.

Hey thanks a lot...I will try the stuff... P.S. I notice Folkie recommends this tea also..

 

[whyseye]

Here's one tried and true remedy:
"Entertainer's Secret Throat Relief
It's easy to use and easy to carry with you from session to session or even to your agent's office. This throat or nostril spray is GREAT for those lengthy or throat-strenuous voice sessions, i.e., Narration, Animation, Audiobook, or hard sell reads. It keeps your voice very consistent all session long. You'll need this to help you sound and feel your best. Also for dry throat, laryngitis, hoarseness, congestion, and stuffiness. The product's key ingredients: Glycerin, Aloe Vera, Honey/Apple flavors. Use as directed. "
Haven't tried this one myself:
"Killer Throat Support - Honey Spearmint Spray
As they say, " The show must go on!," Sometimes whether we like it or not. Whether you're a professional Animation Voice Actor, Narrator, Promo Announcer or Commercial Voice Over Actor, as soon as you feel that dry, scratchy feeling, sore throat tickle or congested, spritz it away with Renowned Actress Marsha Mason's all natural, Killer Throat Support - Honey Spearmint Spray. The product's key ingredients: Spilanthes * Helps maintain healthy immunity, promotes mouth & throat health, produces increased saliva, filled with germ fighting antibodies. Echinacea * Broad-spectrum support for healthy immune system. Osha - Stimulates an immune response through activating & limiting invasion of foreign microbes, creates a minor numbing sensation that can be soothing to an already sore throat & warms respiratory tract by increasing blood supply to lungs. Aloe Vera and Honey * are soothing herbs that coat the mucosal lining of the mouth & throat, allowing the affected tissue to heal*and return to normal quickly. Use as directed."

Please note: I'm not spamming or recommending these products - I just lifted the text whole from the site I've seen them at - no endorsement implied. I'm curious though. Maybe Scrubs or some other informed person could advise as to the probable efficacy of these products - anything's better than guzzling Chloraseptic 'til your lips, tongue, cheeks, throat and nose go numb!
I've known too many singer with vocal nodes from doing that - that and bad technique!

 

[scrubs]

Entertainer's Secret is formulated to resemble natural secretions. Sodium carboxymethylcellulose, aloe vera gel and glycerin - each a proxy for a naturally secreted type of mucus (globular, strand and sheet) - are blended into a buffered, aqueous hypertonic solution. Unlike some other sore throat remedies, it does NOT contain numbing anesthetics, alcohol, antiseptics, analgesics, antihistamines, decongestants, anti-inflammatory agents or any other "medicinal" ingredient that can produce unwanted side effects. The improved honey-apple flavor imparts a pleasant mellow taste.

This one looks fairly harmless.

Product’s Key Ingredients:
Spilanthes – Helps maintain healthy immunity, promotes mouth & throat health, produces increased saliva, filled with germ fighting antibodies. Echinacea – Broad-spectrum support for healthy immune system. Osha - Stimulates an immune response through activating & limiting invasion of foreign microbes, creates a&ampampampampnbspnumbing sensation&ampampampampnbspthat can be soothing to already sore throats & warms respiratory tract by increasing blood supply to lungs. Aloe Vera and Honey are soothing herbs that coat the mucosal lining of the mouth & throat, allowing the affected tissue to heal & return to normal.

Other Ingredients:
Deionized Water, Vegetable Glycerin, Spearmint Natural Flavor

Spilanthes has a numbing effect (and is used for toothaches). I'm not sure about osha. Echinacea is relatively harmless, as far as I know. Be advised that none of these herbal things have been tested or found to be effective by any regulatory agency. Who know's what is really in there or what it could do to you? There are plenty of instances of over-the-counter "herbal" remedies containing powerful prescription drugs unbeknownst to those who buy them. Those that have been discovered are removed from the market, but like I said, no one is really doing any testing on these things.

In general, I would caution you about using anything that numbs your throat. Most cough drops (Fisherman's Friend being the most obvious) contain menthol. While the menthol itself is fine, numbing your throat could cause you to sing for longer periods and put more stress on your voice than you should. That can lead to permanent damage. Know your limits and rest your voice accordingly. Drink lots of water.

 

[true-eurt]

This one looks fairly harmless.



Spilanthes has a numbing effect (and is used for toothaches). I'm not sure about osha. Echinacea is relatively harmless, as far as I know. Be advised that none of these herbal things have been tested or found to be effective by any regulatory agency. Who know's what is really in there or what it could do to you? There are plenty of instances of over-the-counter "herbal" remedies containing powerful prescription drugs unbeknownst to those who buy them. Those that have been discovered are removed from the market, but like I said, no one is really doing any testing on these things.

In general, I would caution you about using anything that numbs your throat. Most cough drops (Fisherman's Friend being the most obvious) contain menthol. While the menthol itself is fine, numbing your throat could cause you to sing for longer periods and put more stress on your voice than you should. That can lead to permanent damage. Know your limits and rest your voice accordingly. Drink lots of water.

The fishermans friend throat logenzes I took did not have menthol..they contained slippery elm if I recall correctly..they were not sweet nor menthally in anyway...and did not numb my throat...I never took the cough drops,..I'm sure they do contain menthol..and I do not take anything with menthol because it makes my throat worse ,not better...

 

[Raxy]

Honey and lemon juice followed by sips of room temperature water does it for me.

 

[scrubs]

The fishermans friend throat logenzes I took did not have menthol..they contained slippery elm if I recall correctly..they were not sweet nor menthally in anyway...and did not numb my throat...I never took the cough drops,..I'm sure they do contain menthol..and I do not take anything with menthol because it makes my throat worse ,not better...

Hmmm...The box of Fisherman's Friend I have are little brown disks that look like pieces of dirt. They are basically all menthol. Maybe they make another type of lozenge.

 

[famous beagle]

Basically just about everything has been said here. Water throughout the day is undoubtedly the most important thing.

But if you're singing several times a week, and it's your bread and butter, there's one more thing you should consider. If you do any mingling in the crowd after a gig and people are still having to shout over loud music, you may want to wear some glasses. (Just wear fake lenses if you don't want to wear your "sunglasses at night.") When people are talking so loudly, they tend to project saliva, which can get in your eyes, transferring germs and making you sick. Along this same line of reasoning, you should obviously wash your hands often.