leeneia, the real dilemma is that talking is probably worse for my voice than softly singing is. (Fortunately, most -- though not all -- of my gigs don't require stellar vocal performances. Lots of them are sing-alongs, and all I need do is sing audibly enough to lead the group. With a good PA system, I don't have to try for much volume. Today I did two, but I supplemented my live singing with tapes of myself and even some CDs of other people.) Most office jobs require talking -- and a lot of that is required even to GET the temp job!

Billy, I think that Vocal-EZE is the spray I found today at Wildoats market in Portland. They had that one, as well as Singers Saving Grace and another that was similar to Vocal-EZE.   I bought the one that was on sale for $10, since I had insufficient knowledge to know which had the best ingredients. They all had licorice root, something called osha (I think), and ginger.   The SSG also had glycerine (which I think I have an old bottle of somewhere), and maybe they all had echinacea.   One had some ETOH in it, so I didn't buy that one.

Yes, folks, warm water is important.   Kind of wondering about salt water. It's often recommended as a gargle for sore throats -- but wouldn't salt tend to dry out the vocal cords? (Or does it make them retain water?)

Is licorice supposed to be good for the throat?

Liath, please don't tell me to stay away from chocolate!   I mean, if I'm gonna go broke, chocolate might be the only thing that'd keep me going! ;-D

Seriously, folks.   I'd like to know as much as I can about how various herbs, OTC meds, and even prescription meds affect the vocal folds.