Karaoke Forums

Another post in another thread inspired this one.
I have had serious throat problems in the past and I thought we could share remedies, and techniques to ease throat issues.
Several years ago (before I started singing in public, incidentally), I developed nodules on my vocal chords and had to have surgery to remove them. I don't recommend it as my range has been reduced significantly.
I used and still use a lot of licorice tea to help soothe it. Please note, that it must contain REAL licorice root and not be flavoured with anise as it is the real licorice that does the trick.
I also used and occasionally still do use, an herbal preparation throat spray called "Singer's Saving Grace". It smells and tastes like sh*t, but it works very well.
I also now know that if I'm feeling a little hoarse, that it's time to stop singing and maybe even talking. I NEVER push my vocals any more. Not worth it.
Any other ideas out there?

Does the soothing of the licorice tea last, or do you pay for it later.?

When my throat is a little scratchy, I'll drink Throat Coat Tea (that contains Slippery Elm) or Ginger Tea. You can get both of these at your local GNC or Vitamin Shoppe. The brand name I use is called Traditional Medicines. I did (at one time) make my own Ginger Tea by using a regular Lipton Tea Bag, and cutting off (and grating) a small piece of Ginger Root. I used to boil the water to a light simmer and stir the Ginger Root in that. Then I'd strain it and pour the water into a cup and add the tea bag... Tasted exactly like the Ginger Tea that I now buy. Of course, you can just have regular tea with honey.

Another thing you can try is a spray called Entertainer's Secret. It tastes sleep and you can order it at your local Rite Aid store (at the Druggist's counter).

Not quite sure what you're asking, but if you mean, Can you sing right after drinking the tea and be OK?, then the answer is No. The tea is to help soothe and hurry up the healing of any damage, not to make it OK for you to continue doing the damage.

Please guys...
When you post, would you say if it works full stop or it just masks the pain and you pay for it later.
Thank you.
Please.
Pretty please...

What I am trying to say is ARRRGH help me.
er.
er.
The pain can be eased by what you take.
May take an hour to work.
OK.
If you have an op. under local anaesthetic it is painless.
Once the anaesthetic has worn off the pain can hit you.

Is that the case.?

The licorice tea helps immediately and as long as you sip it. The effect does not last but it DOES feel good.
My operation involved scraping the vocal chords under general anesthetic. As I recall, when I woke up, my throat was sore, but it didn't last all that long. What did last was the inability to talk for 6 weeks.
It wasn't just that I wasn't supposed to talk. I physically couldn't.
As far as I know, there is NOTHING short of not using your vocal chords and allowing your throat to heal that will work completely as far as the pain goes.
Given that fact, obviously there is nothing that works instantly (and lasts) either.

I've tried all kinds of throat sprays, to no avail. The only thing that works for me, is I take a shot of guaifenesin syrup (cough medicine), which produces more phlegm. I also drink alot of water, and drink shots of Rumplemintz. I'm sure this is not everyone's "cup of tea" , but it works for me. I'm usually only good for 5 or 6 songs a night anyhow. But it does work for me.

Srnitynow

The other things that help throats and vocal chords:
Drink plenty of fluids (water!) throughout the day, EVERY day.
Hydrated vocal chords are protected chords.
Avoid alcohol and coffee which are dehydrating.
Smoking is a HUGE no-no!
I know there's more, but I'm at a loss ATM, but will post when I think of them.

I agree Throat Coat tea is wonderful. You can buy it at your local Jewel store. I have never noticed it to have any ill effects after using it.

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Just as you stated, the very best remedy for an overtaxed voicebox is to give it a rest. By the same token, however, "the show must go on" and I highly recommend daily practice to strengthen and improve one's voice. An added benefit of such behavior, is complete memorization of a large number of songs. Knowing your songs, making them "your own" , so to speak, and the ready ability to perform a great deal more than just the same three songs over and over will do wonders for your popularity at your chosen venue.

When I have a scratchy throat, it isn't caused by singing too much (I should be so lucky...).

I do frequently battle allergies and those sometimes cause problems. My preferred remedy is to slowly sip room temperature Crown Royal.

--Tad

Tad,
I like where you're going for an instant like cure. We prefer a butterscotch schnapps though. It seems thicker and coats the throat it seems. And it sticks around. It's quite soothing. It gets us thru the night.

I'm not a big tea fan. Would sambuca work instead of licorice tea ya think?

Obviously though, as mentioned no booze and rest is what works best for me. Also, when you start feeling the sore throat gargle salt water. My mother-in-law has one of those different remedies for everything, and the gargling seems to help me.

My mother swears by gargling with salt water for allergies and using a Nedi Pot with salk water for your nose. I've used it on occasion and it's works fine. I just hate doing it.

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My problem now is with false teeth.You think you have problems?

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Nice Ollie ! I can't wait for those days to come!

Like Rosario, Rumplemintz works for me. It's peppermint shnapps-like but a little less strong. I have heard that throat coat works but can't find it here in hawaii.

I hear ya Ollie. I got my custom made upper plate and had to learn how to sing all over again.

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Dave's not here.

I can beat that.
Halfway through my one song I had to stop
and use my asthma inhaler.

The cure....and the cause. Does anyone notice if certain foods seem to make their voice worse? I once though BBQ was causing me problems, but of course if you get too suspicious about food, you might end up just being...a water drinker, or a hyper chondriac.

[schild=1 fontcolor=000000 shadowcolor=FFFFFF shieldshadow=1]I sound good ...except when I don't![/schild]

I picked up some "Thayers" lozenges (Slippery Elm) cherry flavor, at the Karaoke store in Las Vegas.

Seems to work..

Probably available all over.