Voice -what foods are good for the throat?

Subject: RE: Voice -what foods are good for the throat?
From: GUEST,katie green
Date: 01 Oct 06 - 04:41 PM

hot water, mixed with lemon and honey.
this isn't all that pleasent tasting, but helps.
i've also heard of covering a fresh onion with honey, baking it, and drinking the juice.
i haven't tried that one, but heard it from a nurse in my church choir.

hope it helps

*~Kt

Subject: RE: Voice -what foods are good for the throat?
From: GUEST,thurg
Date: 01 Oct 06 - 11:40 PM

I've occasionally looked for something from my halcyon days as a boy-soprano, a product which I remember as "Meloids" - could this be the "Altoids" several have mentioned? These came in a small tin, they were unappealing little brown cruds, tasted heavily of clove, if I remember correctly, but they sure worked.

Subject: RE: Voice -what foods are good for the throat?
From: SharonA
Date: 05 Oct 06 - 06:28 PM

refresh

Subject: RE: Voice -what foods are good for the throat?
From: PoppaGator
Date: 05 Oct 06 - 08:12 PM

Cayenne, mentioned early in the discussion, is a hot red pepper and the main ingredient in the generic hot sauce found on restaurant and kitchen tables all over south Louisiana. Tabasco (brand) sauce, more commonly exported to the outsdide world, is very similar, but made with tabasco peppers, which are a different variety. I think that the cayenne pepper (used for the Crystal and Louisiana brand sauces and most store-brand and "generic" hot sauce products) is not quite as hot as Tabasco.

Anyway, cayenne and "chilli" and Tabasco are probably interchangeable, and horseradish probably serves pretty much the same function as any red pepper.

The way I read it, the consensus seems to endorse a hot toddy made with honey, lemon, and hot water, with an option to also incorporate a small dose of alcohol and/or a red-hot sinus-clearing item like red pepper or horseradish.

Also mentioned was slippery elm tea; let me add that slippery elm is also available in lozenge form ~ easily found in the US at any health-food outlet under the brand name Thayer's. The trick is to resist the temptation to chew 'em up ~ it's better to let them melt in your mouth and make them last.

From my own experience, I can recommend both the slippery elm and the hot toddy (with a wee dram of Irish whisky). I hadn't heard of spicing up the toddy with a shot of cayenne, but will probably try it next time I feel the need.

Subject: RE: Voice -what foods are good for the throat?
From: shepherdlass
Date: 06 Oct 06 - 04:29 PM

Or ... rum, sherry or Madeira, hic! Don't know if any of these really help, but they do promote a feeling of well being, sweetness and warmth! You certainly THINK you sound better after a few glasses of anything alcoholic, of course.

Subject: RE: Voice -what foods are good for the throat?
From: Girl Friday
Date: 08 Oct 06 - 07:25 PM

Tom Lewis likes Vocalzones - only available in UK. Boots in Tenterden didn't have them - sent us to Payden's where we found Tom buying his. In Canada he has an American remedy- Singer's Saving Grace.

Subject: RE: Voice -what foods are good for the throat?
From: GUEST,Maggie
Date: 17 Oct 06 - 04:56 PM

I totally get what Don Firth is saying about Ginger, but I wouldn't recomend clearing your throat too too much as I did that and wound up with Nodules for over a year. (Talk about a road block)

Just before a performance, if you take a shot of olive oil it will make your voice smoother, silkier, and won't be as hard on your throat as singing cold turkey.

~Maggie

Subject: RE: Voice -what foods are good for the throat?
From: Rasener
Date: 17 Oct 06 - 05:07 PM

Cucumbers have many uses :-)

However, I can imagine slices of cucmber would do the trick as they are lovely and moist.

Not sure how beneficial a whole cucumber swallowed in one go would be

Subject: RE: Voice -what foods are good for the throat?
From: GUEST,ibo
Date: 18 Oct 06 - 04:11 PM

I do tours around the country,sometimes working 14 gigs in a row.I recently worked with a pro opera singer who told me that raisins,or dates,sultanas oil the throat.I tried it and had no problems with my voice during the tour.Do not use alcohol,it has damaging effects in the long run,doctors orders.

Subject: RE: Voice -what foods r good for the throat?
From: GUEST,Aiedail Thompson
Date: 11 Jun 07 - 03:08 PM

I was always told warm drinks work best. The ginger helps too, and so does the rasins (and trust me, if you're drinking ground ginger, honey, and lemon in hot water, you need something else that actually tastes good!). Again, stay away from dairy products, and soda doesn't help either. It may not affect you now, but the acid in soda tears at your vocal chords. Some crime scene investigators use soda to clean up messes, and if it can get rid of that, than it most certainly not good for your throat. Once in a while it's ok, though.

Subject: RE: Voice -what foods r good for the throat?
From: guitar
Date: 11 Jun 07 - 03:09 PM

can't spell ARE

Subject: RE: Voice -what foods r good for the throat?
From: Sooz
Date: 12 Jun 07 - 02:44 AM

I'm surprised that no-one has already said this but no food or drink should be going through your larynx. That would be the first step towards choking or drowning!

Subject: RE: Voice -what foods r good for the throat?
From: Jim Lad
Date: 12 Jun 07 - 02:54 AM

I'd stay away from frogs.

Subject: RE: Voice -what foods r good for the throat?
From: lefthanded guitar
Date: 12 Jun 07 - 05:44 PM

My grandmother's recipe for a sore throat is tea with honey and homemade jam preserves (made from raspberries picked on the mountainside of the Berkshire foothills).

Served with love.

Subject: RE: Voice -what foods r good for the throat?
From: katlaughing
Date: 12 Jun 07 - 06:08 PM

So how did Ben Hepner save his career from the side effects of medicines? I have noticed my voice being hoarse and weak for the past two years since heart surgery and starting on new meds. Even trying to read a child's book to my grandson has me stopping every other page or so to get my voice back. I'll try some of the suggestions noted, but wondered specifically about Hepner since the meds were mentioned.

Thanks,

kat

Subject: RE: Voice -what foods r good for the throat?
From: Jim Lad
Date: 12 Jun 07 - 07:45 PM

Antiinflammatories Kat? They'll dry your throat.

Subject: RE: Voice -what foods r good for the throat?
From: Jim Lad
Date: 12 Jun 07 - 07:53 PM

And before anybody jumps on me... Different Rx will effect people in various ways. I frequently use Antihistamines when performing nightly, in order to dry out my throat. It works for me, not for everyone.

Subject: RE: Voice -what foods r good for the throat?
From: GUEST
Date: 24 Sep 07 - 06:35 AM

my Grandmother told me coconut oil and mustard oil mix with honey , kept in a cold dark room for one month is good for a singer

Subject: RE: Voice -what foods r good for the throat?
From: Ruth Archer
Date: 24 Sep 07 - 07:55 AM

Anyone come up with a way to deal with the hoarseness caused by inhaling steroids (for asthma)?

I've only recently been diagnosed, and while I feel a lot better now that I'm using the inhaler, I'm not really liking what the medicine is doing to my voice.

Subject: RE: Voice -what foods r good for the throat?
From: Mr Red
Date: 24 Sep 07 - 07:57 AM

A bloke at the Black Country Museum used to swear that any drink with milk in it was not good for peole who talk all day. Singing would be similar so I have always heeded the advice - only cider for me if I am singing.

Subject: RE: Voice -what foods r good for the throat?
From: Mary Humphreys
Date: 24 Sep 07 - 09:53 AM

Ruth,
Go back to your GP. Say you are a singer and ask what s/he suggests as an antidote to the steroids. Your GP may not realise that you need your voice.
Mary

Subject: RE: Voice -what foods r good for the throat?
From: The Sandman
Date: 24 Sep 07 - 10:02 AM

Ruth, for athsma avoid all dairy products especially milk,do lots of deep breathing exercises,these will help your voice.
1Take a deep breath from your diaphragm.
2.
slowly breath out
3.repeat exercise.1
4breath out quickly[pah],cleansing breath
This is an exercise used by yoga experts, to improve their tone of the voice.
also try gargling with salt water.Dick Miles

Subject: RE: Voice -what foods r good for the throat?
From: Catherine Jayne
Date: 24 Sep 07 - 10:13 AM

Sage tea is good for sore throats

Subject: RE: Voice -what foods r good for the throat?
From: The Sandman
Date: 24 Sep 07 - 10:37 AM

Ruth,here are some alternatives for athsma,
herbalism, Codnopsis Root.
GingkoLeaves help to reduce the dependency on prescription drugs.however do not stop or alter the dosage without consulting your Doctor.
Homeopathy,MagPhos is recommennded for athsma brought on by nervousness,useIPECAC to relieve symptoms brought on by anger.
Aromatherapy.the essential oil of Cajeput,Eucalyptus, Marjoram and Melissa are useful.Apricots strengthen the mucus membranes and may helpin preventing attacks
A drink made from vinegar and honey is an old remedy for athsma,it may help congestion of the lungs,Aniseed tea is also recommended.
SelfHelp,
Athsma is often brought on by stress,DEEP BREATHING helps to calm stress,make sure your house is free of dust, pollen and pet hairs.do not drink cows milk,pay attention to your diet.
In my opinion your doctor should not be giving you steroids for Athsma.Dick Miles

Subject: RE: Voice -what foods r good for the throat?
From: Catherine Jayne
Date: 24 Sep 07 - 10:59 AM

Why not steroids for asthma Captain? I've chronic asthma and my doctor regularily puts me on steroids if I've got an infection or I've had an attack...

Subject: RE: Voice -what foods r good for the throat?
From: The Sandman
Date: 24 Sep 07 - 11:21 AM

Because it is treating the symptoms rather than the cause of the problem, Ruth is obviously getting side effects[hoarseness] from the steroids that are affecting her voice,if it is feasible to cure the athsma without getting side effects,it must be preferable,However that is only my opinion.Dick Miles.

Subject: RE: Voice -what foods r good for the throat?
From: Catherine Jayne
Date: 24 Sep 07 - 11:30 AM

Nope, you're right. Unfortunately you can cure asthma, you have to live with it and treat the symptoms. With the correct medication the symptoms can almost completely disappear. I'm on a steroid inhaler, a preventer, a nebuliser (when I need it, I have one at home) and steroid tablets when I need them. But yes, they do affect your voice.

Subject: RE: Voice -what foods r good for the throat?
From: Wilfried Schaum
Date: 24 Sep 07 - 11:48 AM

Always the liquid ones - and I'm not talking of coffee or tea ;)

Subject: RE: Voice -what foods r good for the throat?
From: Alice
Date: 24 Sep 07 - 11:52 AM

Water, NOT ALCOHOL.
If you are singing in a very dry atmosphere, some people say
a little milk helps them before a performance to keep their throat
from drying out. Others don't like the coating of milk in
their throat. Take your pick.

Subject: RE: Voice -what foods r good for the throat?
From: Catherine Jayne
Date: 24 Sep 07 - 11:58 AM

My last post should say "can't cure asthma"

Some people say not to eat any dairy products including chocolate before singing as it clogs up the vocal cords....it was advice given to me by my then choir master when I was taking my exams.

Subject: RE: Voice -what foods r good for the throat?
From: The Sandman
Date: 24 Sep 07 - 12:24 PM

CATHERINE JAYNE ,Google up homeopathy and athsma my experience.
This contradicts what you are saying.Dick Miles

Subject: RE: Voice -what foods r good for the throat?
From: peregrina
Date: 24 Sep 07 - 12:27 PM

chicken soup (preferably the clear kind)

&

Icelandic moss (cetraria islandica) either as tea or better in throat lozenges (soprano fjallagrasahalstoflur--sorry can't put in accents)

Subject: RE: Voice -what foods r good for the throat?
From: Catherine Jayne
Date: 24 Sep 07 - 12:29 PM

I'm not going down the homeopathy route for my asthma, I have an excellent consultant and my asthma is well controlled with the meds I am on. Perhaps I'm scared to change the way it's treated but when you've been in resus struggling to breathe you stick with what works!....but if it works for others thats great.

Subject: RE: Voice -what foods r good for the throat?
From: The Sandman
Date: 24 Sep 07 - 12:44 PM

CatherineJayne, According to the article, it does work for others.

Subject: RE: Voice -what foods r good for the throat?
From: Ruth Archer
Date: 24 Sep 07 - 12:45 PM

Mary, I told them that I sing when they were diagnosing me, and they did say straight away that I might find that the inhaled steroids produce hoarseness. Which they do. They didn't suggest any alternative treatments, sadly.

Dick, I appreciate your advice on homeopathy, but having only just discovered what's wrong, and finding the great relief that using the inhaler has brought, I'm (I hope understandably) reluctant to abandon the prescribed treatment just yet.

Subject: RE: Voice -what foods r good for the throat?
From: Catherine Jayne
Date: 24 Sep 07 - 12:50 PM

Dick....I'm arguing that it doesn't work for others, everyone is different. I'm sticking with my prescribed meds.

Ruth.....I'm glad you are getting relief from your meds. Breathe easy and keep singing!

Subject: RE: Voice -what foods r good for the throat?
From: Catherine Jayne
Date: 24 Sep 07 - 12:51 PM

Sorry...I really should read what I put before I press submit...last post should read "I'm NOT arguing" ...sorry about that!

Subject: RE: Voice -what foods r good for the throat?
From: Rumncoke
Date: 24 Sep 07 - 04:44 PM

I don't believe in homeopathy - but that did not stop it curing the hay fever I was being miserable with - and it has not come back despite it being several years since I bought the single bottle of tablets.

It can't possibly work - but it did. I had tried all the usual over the counter remedies including one which made my hair fall out. They stopped the hay fever, but the side effects were awful. The homeopathic remedy had no side effects,and it should not have worked, but in three days I had a vast reduction in the symptoms and in a week it had gone for good. Well I did get itchy eyes for a few days the following year, but after that, nothing.

I can see that taking the prescribed medication is really reasuring, but it might not be the only answer, and you don't have to stop using the medication to treat the symptoms, but if something helps to stop the symptoms it might be worth trying.

You don't even have to believe it will work - from experience a hearty disbelief is most efficatious.

oh - when singing I drink pineapple juice well diluted with fizzy water, and just a small amount of ice.

Ginko Biloba should not be taken by women before the menopause, it can cause very heavy periods and anaemia.

Subject: RE: Voice -what foods r good for the throat?
From: GUEST,.gargoyle
Date: 24 Sep 07 - 07:29 PM

"healing wounds, bruises, scratches, scrapes and...for preventing the formation of haemorrhoids"

What is Blue Blazes are you attempting to do with your throat!!!

Discussed this my brother last night. He told a doctor, "I have been gargoling (no pun) with salt water." The doctor replied, "Would you put salt in your eye? Don't put down you throat anything you would not stick in your eye." My brother agreed and quickly changed doctors when he realized that he would not, "put a bannana in his eye, a lemon in his eye, rye whisky in his eye.....

Dude (or Dudette) something is HORRIBLY wrong with your attempts at vocalization.

We all have a natural range we can drop to bass and raise to falsettos - but let the microphone and the mix-master (sound-board 0 take over for the volumn.

Whisky, lemon, and honey works for some Mick Jagger, Peter Daugltrey .....and puts others in an early grave Janis Joplin, Van Morrison.

Sincerely,
Gargoyle

Your thread posting sounds more like a led-line for a "Deep Throat Joke" - Did you hear????? President Nixon saw "Deep Throat" SIX times......No?????? Yah!!!!...He wanted to get it down Pat." (Pat=wife Patricia)

Subject: RE: Voice -what foods r good for the throat?
From: GUEST,ibo
Date: 24 Sep 07 - 08:04 PM

drink warm drinks before and after performance,and natural lubrication from raisins,sultanas,dates works for me

Subject: RE: Voice -what foods r good for the throat?
From: Fidjit
Date: 25 Sep 07 - 06:28 AM

Don't really know, but thay say that pineapple is best for sea sickness.
It's the only thing that tastes the same on the way up as it did on the way down.

Chas

Subject: RE: Voice -what foods r good for the throat?
From: GUEST
Date: 24 Dec 07 - 11:40 AM

Janis Joplin and Van Morrison drank heavily, even on stage = demise.
Mentioned earlier, the gentlemen who started this thread is drinking black tea now.. it contains tannins that dry the throat.
Ginger lozenges are great, and I like to mix sugar free herbal lozenges in there. Beginners depending on lozenges may mask symptoms that require attention. Before a gig I have a little Jagermeister nearby to relax: contains licorice root, and I've heard heavy metal singers swear by it. No complaints. Also, 3 and a half hours before going on stage I eat lots of bread with butter, half a cucumber, and a whack of plain celery (sustanance, moisture, celery increases moisture absorbtion, the combination is easy to digest, no mucus or reflux) It's a little unusual, but I have a humidifier behind my amplifier on stage that emits hot vapor. Leaning into the vapor between songs occasionally soothes my vocals. Like to smoke weed? Grind it up and extract the crystals from the lid of the grinder, and put a wee pinch of crystal into a water bong! Pipes and joints deliver a ridiculous heat blast to your folds and will singe the tiny hairs in the throat that are designed to slide away mucous. Use the remains in the grinder for cooking. Finally, the bigger you are, the thicker and longer your vocal apparatus, the longer you have to warm up. I'm wide shouldered, fairly tall, and WILL suffer the consequences if I don't warm up for 20 to 30 minutes. FINALLY finally, if you don't know what "blended salads" are, your body and vocals are missing out on the reinforcement of nutrients: LARGE!

Subject: RE: Voice -what foods r good for the throat?
From: Alice
Date: 24 Dec 07 - 11:54 AM

What should singers eat?
Eat healthy foods.
Stay hydrated with water, not caffeine or alcohol.
DON'T stuff yourself with food or liquids right
before a performance.
If you are in a dry atmosphere, a little milk will
actually help with the dry throat problem.
Eating healthy food on a regular basis and
staying hydrated is all you have to focus on.

There are plenty of other singing dos and don'ts I've
posted on Mudcat over the years.

Don't smoke anything. Don't scream or shout unless you
want to eventually lose your singing voice. Learn good
vocal technique so you can sing all your life long.
No matter what "size" you are, every singer needs to learn
good warmup technique to preserve their voice and perform
their best.

Alice

Subject: RE: Voice -what foods r good for the throat?
From: Don Firth
Date: 24 Dec 07 - 12:17 PM

Lots of good information HERE.

Don Firth

Subject: RE: Voice -what foods r good for the throat?
From: DonMeixner
Date: 25 Dec 07 - 01:30 AM

Listen to Alice.

I took this thread to mean, When the voice goes south on you at a gig what food will help.

I get the scratches something wicked now and then. Oddly tho' I can still yodel when beset by the screeches. I have the waitress at the Pub bring me a couple of rolls with butter. This helps the cracks in the throat on a very temporary basis. I have also sipped some brandy which did work, again on a temporary basis.

On a regular basis I never eat before a job. I don't drink alcohol during a job. I have a very nice microphone and I know how to work the inches between me and it.

Don

Subject: RE: Voice -what foods r good for the throat?
From: GUEST,Volgadon
Date: 25 Dec 07 - 09:26 AM

"Martin C does not partake of cheese as it is detrimental for the voice

Not a lot of people know that!!"

Edam Martin C! How could he bring himself to sing that song?

Subject: RE: Voice -what foods r good for the throat?
From: Stringsinger
Date: 25 Dec 07 - 06:50 PM

Stay away from rich foods particularly dairy. Don't drink booze, coffee or smoke.
The question you might ask is what will be the best way to keep my voice through the years.

then again, if you don't care what you sound like, you might abuse your voice like so
many do today. Many people don't care if the voice sounds rough or harsh.

Frank

Subject: what foods ar good for the throat and voice?
From: GUEST,ferdinard isikhuemen from nigeria
Date: 26 Dec 07 - 06:59 AM

i am a chorister in my church but i found out that when i take some particular set of food and snacks, i find it difficult to sing well so i want to know the type of food that i can be taking to improve on my voice and the type of food to avoid when i want to go on performance.u can repply me via this email [e-mail]

Subject: RE: Meloids--now can be ordered on line.
From: GUEST,Gyounker
Date: 29 Mar 09 - 03:17 PM

Many people are looking for the past favorite throat lozengers "Meloids" as used by Pavarotti. I have just received a second order in from Yartook.com that is in Thailand. I have ordered 3, and then 5, just to be sure it was a real item. They are in a small plastic carry case and come in a Meloids rip apart paper. Go to website, and type in Meloids, register, and order. It took 16 days to arrive here in Florida. They are small and nothing like Altoids but a lot like Potter's original. It really works!!! George

Subject: RE: Voice -what foods r good for the throat?
From: GUEST,GYounker
Date: 29 Mar 09 - 03:24 PM

" Meloids" can now be ordered from Yartook.com in Thailand. They are nothing like Altoids and a lot like Potter's originals. I hope this time my post gets through. George