This has been a particularly bad year for viruses. Last Sunday, I’m two hours into my flight home when I felt that dreaded tickle. OH NO! Every time I feel the slightest hint of a sore throat coming on, I recall an “unplugged” gig my band played many years ago at the Hard Rock Café. I woke up that morning and was barely able to swallow – let alone eke out anything resembling singing. I spent the next ten hours that day nursing my voice into shape. Along with the steps outlined in my previous blog, “Singing with a Cold,” I also reached for my trusty herbal extracts. The combo of an extended gentle warmup and some botanicals saved that performance. But will it rescue me through a jam-packed week of online singing lessons?
Herbs are an excellent way for singers to treat many ailments without the adverse effects accompanied by pharmaceuticals. Drugs leave behind residues which are difficult for the body to eliminate. Sometimes the cure is worse on the voice than the infection. Herbs work naturally within your body, helping to fight infections and correcting imbalances. They also have a preventative quality which fortifies the immune system to recognize future intruders. Since herbs don’t leave behind any toxins, there is no adverse effect on your vocal membranes (such as the drying from antihistamines). The problem is that they don’t provide the big bang we’ve become accustom to from Western medications, so it’s important to administer them early. In order to discover the right herbal combination and dosage, I strongly recommend experimenting on non-gig scenarios.
The best way to gain the benefits of herbs is via liquid extracts. You’ll find racks of herbal extracts in any natural food store (they come is small bottles with eye-dropper tops). The label will detail what ailments a particular herb relieves. Some claims will seem pretty far-fetched, so here’s a few I recommend for singers: Echinacea for the beginning stages of a cold. It activates the immune system, fights infections, mobilizes white blood cells. Golden Seal to reduce mucous membrane inflammation due to sinusitis, hay fever and allergies. Osha Root to loosen mucus. Slippery Elm soothes sore throats. Wild Cherry Bark is a good expectorant. Collinsonia reduces irritation in the pharynx (upper throat). Licorice Root is also good for sore throats and has mild anti-histamine properties. Astragalus Root is the best at preventing colds. It increases production of interferons and helps resist viral infections if taken daily before cold season.
Herbal extracts are also sold in combinations for greater convenience. My favorite tonic is Echinacea and Golden Seal, which is what I used the moment I got home from my flight. Was it herbs to the rescue? Unfortunately, it was a little too little and a little too late for me this time. Usually, one squirt of the eye-dropper on the back of the tongue every hour does the trick. Maybe it’s because I’m much older, or this flu was just a force. Vocally, I had a really tough week but I suspect it would have been worse had I done nothing. That’s why it’s important to familiarize yourself with as many therapies for relief as possible. There is no one defense that works every single time. Explore. Experiment. My go-to throat-coat when I was young was a shot of Jack Daniels. I’ve learned a lot since then, and so can you.
Speaking of alcohol, you might notice most extracts contain an alcohol base. This, I am told, is the best way to remove the herb’s vital resins and preserve their medicinal qualities. If you’re a recovering alcoholic, place your drops into a cup of boiling water. This will reduce the potency of the extract, but evaporate the alcohol completely. If you’re worried about the affect of alcohol on your voice, think of it this way: There is twice as much alcohol in a whole ripe banana than in a single dose of extract.
I’m glad to report that the virus departed my body, but I’m still addressing some lingering vocal issues due to all the coughing. So, I’m interested in what favorite therapies, tinctures or herbal remedies you rely on. Please feel free to share your regimen in the comment section below, so we can all benefit from our collective suffering. It ain’t easy being a singer, but there’s also nothing better when healthy. Either way – we sing on!
Related Posts
