irritation of vocal cords by tea?

donnygg,

Here are my recommendations for teas that work well for me : Throat Coat and Throat Comfort. Personally, I prefer the latter, and it soothes the throat very well. All herbal, and no caffeine. I always have one or two cups prior to bedtime, and while singing, drink it LUKEWARM, not HOT. I also alternate with water while practicing. With that, make sure the water is room temperature and not cold

I also use a tablespoon of honey on occasion that soothes the throat. You may also want to try slippery elm lozenges.

I understand that Ginseng tea works well also, but I cannot use it due to BP issues, which is unfortunate, as I like the taste.

Personally, I deal with http://www.I-Herb.com  Very reasonable prices.

I'm not a doctor, so I cannot comment on the "leakage" issue that you have referred to.

Hope this has helped.

Nightprowler

I cant sing after i drink throat coat, but it is my number one remedy for sore throats at bed time, if I try to sing after drinking this, i get a "leaky" feeling too???? Wake up after having drank it at bed time with a nice feeling throat, for sure maybe the leaky feeling is icky stuff coming off the throat and vocal cords...

hey Adolph!! Thanks!! Havent read RYV2 yet, figured I'd get Mindset into my sytem for a month before I started RYV2  But I WILL try the Throat Comfort!! Yeah!!!

Last edited by Rychemaiden (2008-09-05 07:55:49)

Thanks for the replies. Something just struck me regarding the leakage issue. Since people with acid reflux suffer vocal cord damage due to attack by acid and enzymes from the stomach, does that imply that leakage does occur? Also, in RYV2, Jaime wrote that lemon juice "contains citric acid, which is harsh on the vocal cords". Is that due to leakage too?

Hey donnygg,

Not a doctor either, but I went to a couple of industry sources as well as googling epiglottis leakage all are suggesting that leakage can and does occur.  Though they are focused on air leakage it seems liquid in some form can make it past the epiglottis.  If you are feeling this on the vocal cords it seem logical a vapor leaking from the tea could be aggravating the area. I'm not sure why Ryche can't sing after drinking throatcote tea.  Maybe you're allergic to something in it that numbs you, can the leaky feeling be "cleared"?

As Nightprowler (who seems to have a thought out regimen) suggested, Slippery Elm Lozenges are a a great start.  Slippery Elm is a natural anti-acid in the last couple years FDA approved OTC.  We suggest dissolving a lozenge in your mouth about 1/2 hour before performing, again after performing and before bed.  While helping keep your stomach acid settled from the bouncing diaphragm it can absorb into the throat cavity replenishing the slickness and protection against irritation. They're suttle but I have replaced all others with them for indigestion.

Nightprowler, I'd like to know which throat spray you are going to try.

scott

In a word, yes.  It is similar to ClearVoice Original and Singer's Saving Grace Pro Strength all using licorice as a flavor and an ingredient.  I've heard that SSG uses the intense licorice to cover the horrible taste of the osha root, which isn't in their citrus honey flavor.

The effect you described and might feel can be likened to using peroxide on a cut, peroxide is dormant until it hits the infection and then burn and sizzle.  This may be happening in your throat.  Can't say whether it's good or bad, except to comment that anything that prevents you from singing at least within a couple minutes recovery time seems bad.  Only one spray I've found doesn't have a recovery time, Entertainer's Secret, it doesn't have the intensity of the others and is more for hydration http://entertainerssecret.com.

Make sure you safely clear your throat and for goodness sake stay hydrated.

Along the allergen thought, there may be something that your allergist hasn't checked, maybe a compound of ingredients.