Last Updated on December 21, 2020 by Karmyn

Introduction

Through out the years, I have tried some pretty crazy things to open up my sinuses or help stave off a cold. Lucky for you, I have tested SO many, that you get the benefit of my trial and error of which vocal remedies actually work…and which do not.

I’m wanting to go beyond the honey and lemon teas and the salt water gargling. That said, I am NO doctor and do not claim to have all the answers. Use all these remedies with caution and study the links I put in to find what works for you.

Medicine.net Symptom Checker

Merck Manuel – Sore Throat

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My Story

The first remedy I remember is [eafl id=2890 name=”Tei Fu” text=”Tei Fu”]. I was probably 11 years old singing at a gospel concert outside and my nose was all stuffed up. Another vocalist had told my mom about Tei Fu and she got some for me. It worked! It opened up my sinuses and my throat. I thought it was a miracle medicine.

Well, the miracle was all natural. The ingredients are: Safflower oil, menthol, wintergreen oil, camphor and other essential oils. So, yes it DOES help clear out mucous because of the menthol, wintergreen oil and camphor. Those oils have vasodilation properties (they widening blood vessels…also a reason Vick’s Vapor Rub works). The problem is, they are also natural analgesics. They deaden the pain, so that if you have a sore throat, you may not be able to tell if you are hurting your cords.

Now if you believe old wives tales, vasodilation also makes you susceptible to catching a virus. Believe what you like, but personally, if I use any of these types of remedies now, I use them at night and stay inside.

Vocal Remedies that Work #1
1. Boil some water in a pan.
2. Put a teaspoon of Vick’s Vapor rub in it.
3. Put a towel over your head and breathe in the steam.

This will help open your sinus and chest and help you breath better. It will also loosen the mucous for you to expel.

DO NOT GO OUTSIDE AFTERWARD

Since we are talking about medicines for pain, here’s some ugly news about NSAIDs. Ibuprofen and Aspirin are the 2 WORSE things you can take for painful vocal cords especially if you are coughing. Research shows that these drugs cause platelet dysfunction that lead to a predisposition to bleeding. So if you coughed too hard or tried to sing while on these medications, you could rupture your vocal cords causing irreparable damage. If you decide to take these, make sure that you are going to stay silent for a while. A cough suppressant would be wise too…if you are coughing. Tylenol, as far was we know, does not work in the same way and is safe to use in small quantities.

Now for the evils of Chloraseptic throat spray. It contains Phenol, another analgesic that deadens pain. I actually know people who sprayed Chloraseptic while they had strep throat to not feel the pain and get through a show run. Their voices have never been the same.

Vocal Remedies that Work #2
1. Boil some water in a pan.
2. Take dry Chamomile flowers and boil them for about 5 minutes.
3. Put a towel over your head and breathe in the steam.

Chamomile is a natural anti-inflammatory. Use it at night before you go to bed. In most cases, your voice will be 100% better in the morning.

Chamomile tea is also great to sip. My favorite is Mighty Tea Leaf Chamomile Citrus. Be careful if you have allergies to flowers. Too much Chamomile can aggravate them.

There are loads of teas specifically for your throat. Feel free to try them. Throat Coat I have used and it does soothe. I’m not a fan of licorice, one of the main ingredients, but I put up with it.

Now Ginger is very good for the throat. I’ve use this in many an herbal tea remedy long before I heard about Andy Serkis’s Gollum Juice. Ginger is not only has anti-inflammatory properties, but it’s antibacterial too!

Vocal Remedies that Work #3 – Gollum Juice

Ingredients

• 1 cubic inch of ginger root, shredded or finely sliced
• 3 tbsp lemon juice
• 3.5 tbsp honey (or to taste)
• 750 ml boiling water

Instructions

1. Combine honey, lemon and ginger in a thermos
2. Add water, stir, and leave to brew for 10-15 minutes (or longer; this is a thermos after all).
3. Drink (carefully).

The main thing to remember is that your vocal health is key to your vocal creating. Whether you are an actor, singer, teacher or professional speaker. Stay healthy! Eat a well-balanced diet, get proper exercise, keep yourself hydrated and get 6-8 hours of sleep at night so your body can repair itself.

Cold viruses, allergy issues and bacterial infections WILL happen.
Be smart about how you recover.

You my be interested in:
– [eafl id=2887 name=”Pure Natural Healing” text=”Heal yourself Naturally with Chinese Herbal Medicine! “] – [eafl id=2885 name=”Nasal Polyps” text=”Here’s a Nasal Polyps Treatment that works in 4 days!”]

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