If you are a singer by profession or by passion, your voice would mean the world to you. Proper care of the supralaryngeal vocal tract would mean investment to one’s voice quality. Whether before a performance, during rehearsals, and regular maintenance there are do’s and don’ts to take care of your voice, and drinking tea is one way to protect and maintain the voice quality. Find out which tea can be helpful for the health of your larynx.
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What Drinks to Avoid
Several beverages are big don’t for singers, this includes anything that is extremely hot and cold drinks, as they constrict the muscles in your throat, leading to unnecessary stress and loss of flexibility.
Sweet beverages would cause sugar to linger around the throat and mouth that forms a mucus-type and affect one’s performance. This makes soda a big don’t as they contain a high amount of sugar and at the same time, it is carbonated which could make one gassy and burp during the performance.
Avoiding caffeine and switching from coffee to tea would already show significant improvements in sound and comfort from the vocal cords. Moreover, too much caffeine would do more harm than good to your voice and can harm your performance, this is due to the chemical stimulating anxiety making your heartbeat faster that could lead to overexertion of your vocal cords. At the same time, caffeine can dry the vocal folds and constrict the muscles, when the muscles are tight in the throat, it puts unnecessary stress on your vocal cords that could damage it.
Similar to caffeine, alcohol dries out the mouth and throat area, while cocktail beverages are oftentimes filled with sweetened ingredients. This makes alcohol a beverage to avoid for singers. Not all teas can be beneficial for singers, avoid drinking kombucha tea as it contains alcohol especially the homemade braw.
Importance of Teas for Singers
Before a performance, a cup of tea can be helpful as it will relax the nerves and calm the performer down. Herbal and fruit teas also make a great alternative to sweet beverages and it helps coat and protects the throat. Since coffee is out of the way, there are tea alternatives with minimal to no caffeine that can still stimulate the body and provide the energy that the performer needs.
Top Teas for Singers
Ginger Tea
Ginger tea is one of the healthiest tea because it is rich in antioxidants, it boosts the immune system, helps with respiratory issues, and it reduces stress, The antibacterial properties in ginger tea helps fight off infections, while the anti-inflammatory properties reduce any swelling and soothe any pains in the body. When a singer feels that their vocal cords are beginning to feel sore, a cup of ginger tea would soothe the pain and prevent it from worsening. Although be sure to limit your intake as ginger tea is spicy and may cause heartburn during a performance.
Oolong Tea
Even though oolong tea is from the black tea family, it contains a significantly less amount of caffeine. It has enough though to keep singers awake and alert during long performances and keeping their energy levels high. Oolong tea also has a mellow taste to it, which helps in relaxation before any singing engagement.
Lemon Tea
Lemon tea is another recommended and preferred beverage by singers for its taste and the health benefits. Lemon helps soothe the throat and clears out phlegm, while honey has natural antibacterial properties which would help relieve sore throat by coating and relieving pain and irritation in the throat. It is super easy to prepare, simply boil some sliced lemon and add honey for sweetness.
Wild White Moss Tea
Wild white moss tea is a tea blend from Yunnan, China that has been used specifically to treat sore throat. Even though this tea isn’t as popular as the rest, it is still one of the most recommended types for singers due to its ability to heal different parts of the body and ward off any bacteria and infections. It is also known to help detoxify the digestive system, helping singers relax and remove any stresses or pains they may feel in their bodies. It also has a cooling effect that would soothe the raspy, hot feeling in the throat.
Cinnamon Tea
Cinnamon tea is an interesting beverage which not only tastes great but also offers health benefits. The overusing of the voice by the singers can cause various illnesses such as vocal cords disorder and respiratory infection. The natural response of the body to fight the bacteria in the throat leads to inflammation and swelling of the mucous membranes. Cinnamon tea is a great source of natural antibacterial properties to eliminate the bacteria, and anti-inflammation to reduce the swelling.
Propolis Tea
This type of tea is made from all-natural honey and beeswax. Singers usually gargle this tea or drink it warm to relax and reduce the inflammation of their vocal cords. One drawback to this though is that it has quite an unpleasant odor to it, but its beneficial effects might just be worth it.
Moonlight White Tea
Moonlight white tea, should not be confused with regular white tea. These leaves are half black and half white, resembling the moonlight, and are only produced in Yunnan. It goes through a wilting process that turns one side black and leaving the other white. It’s thick on the tongue, soothing to the throat, and helps to calm the nerves.
Ginseng Tea
The ginseng root has been used in many herbal and medicinal practices in Asia for thousands of years. Its potent anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, makes it recommended drink for someone with symptoms of flu including sore throat as it helps the body fight off and prevent any infections. It is also a great energy booster and an alternative to coffee.
Schisandra Tea
Some believe Schisandra is a superfruit with a multitude of health benefits including fighting off infection, strengthening one’s immune system, and increasing energy. Schisandra is said to help relieve symptoms of flu such as sore throat and itchy throat.
Chai Tea
Chai is made up of a delicious blend of herbs and spices and is often served with milk in most coffee shops. However, in cafes, the bitter taste is masked with a high amount of sugar and other flavorings which does not make it recommendable for performers. Homemade chai tea, on the other hand, will soothe your aching throats, and the congestion in your nose, and chest. This tea refreshes your mouth and throat, making it a favorite amongst singers.
Licorice Root Tea
This tea is like a luxurious spa treatment for your throat. The licorice can coat your vocal cords with a protective layer, leaving them hydrated and smooth even during long rehearsals. This tea also helps fight off colds and makes your digestive system work better, giving singers the confidence to sing their hearts out in each performance.
Peppermint Tea
Peppermint tea has always been a popular herb found in many types of food and drinks. This tea has a relaxing effect and singers would regularly drink it to calm the voice as well as the rest of the body.
For singers voice problems and sore throat is a common issue that could affect one’s career, peppermint is loaded with antioxidants which help fight off inflammation in the body including sore throat.
Slippery Elm
Slippery elm contains a substance called mucilage which turns into a mucus-type texture when mixed with water and it helps coat and soothe the throat and prevent it from getting irritated as it gets worn out.
Chamomile Tea
Chamomile tea has been often used as a natural relaxant and is best known for its soothing properties, making it an excellent choice for signers. Chamomile helps reduce symptoms of anxiety that can be commonly triggered before the performance of a singer. Chamomile has a natural anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and astringent properties that would help protect the throat and larynx from irritation.
Make a fresh cup of chamomile tea with hot water, and inhale the steam from it before drinking. This helps relieve symptoms of a cold, including sore throat.
Best Tea Brands for Singers
Bigelow Benefits Citrus & Oolong
The smokey oolong tea paired with a vibrant citrusy kick. The complex flavor will help soothe an overused throat and make a great sweet beverage alternative. Get yours here!
Yogi Tea Throat Comfort
This blend promises to soothe the exhausted throat and vocal cords. The mixture contains wild cherry bark with orange peel and licorice root for a soothing and naturally sweet herbal blend.
Earth Mama Organic Throat Smoothie Tea
This blend is made with organic marshmallow root, slippery elm bark, elderflower, and lemon peel – designed to make any throat irritation subside.
Traditional Medicinals Throat Coat Tea
Made with slippery elm, licorice, and marshmallow root which helps provide comfort and relive after one’s rehearsals and performance. This blend is perfect for a habitual beverage for the performers to prevent damage and irritation.
Before a performance, a singer will undergo daily rehearsals that will not give enough time for the performer’s throat to rest and recover. Drinking tea will help reduce the risk of bacteria and swelling that can affect one’s performance and incorporating a cup of tea to one’s daily routine can be a great investment to keep the vocal cords healthy.
