Go to a doctor for a cough you have had that long. Don't mess with self medicating - seek a physician, a specialist in the nose/throat if possible. Do not sing if your throat is hurting. Do not use products that deaden the pain, as you may damage your thoat while singing because you can't feel how painful it is!

Herbal remedies are touted widely, but are NOT necessarily good for singers. Read the following and see a doctor.

http://www.upmc.edu/upmcvoice/Herbmedsingers.htm


                         University of Pittsburgh Voice Center

                                                                           

                         For Your Information:

                         Taking Herbal Medicines:
                         What Singers Should Know

                         By Jason B. Surow, M.D. , F.A.C.S.
                         Northern Jersey Ear, Nose and Throat Associates
                         44 Godwin Avenue, Midland Park,
                         New Jersey, 07432
                         http://www. njent.com

                         There has been a recent increase in the use of alternative medicine treatments by many
                         individuals, including singers. The following is important information that was collected by
                         Jason B. Surow, MD, during a recent survey of singers regarding their use of alternative
                         medicine treatments for voice disorders. An alarming number of singers reported using a
                         variety of alternative medicine strategies, predominantly herbal medicines, for their voice
                         problems. The great concern regarding this use of herbal medicines for the treatment of voice
                         disorders is the unknown side effects of these herbal medications.

                         The following information is of potential concern and caution for singers in regarding the use
                         of herbal medicines, vitamins and nutrients. These lists are condensed from a variety of
                         sources and publications on herbal medicines, and often claims from these sources are listed in
                         quotations. No attempts at substantiation of these claims were made for this listing.

                         Herbal Medicine with Possible Anticoagulation Results (Blood thinning effect)

                         Dong Quai- "contains coumarin"*
                         Willow bark- "contains salicylates" *
                         Primrose
                         Cowslip
                         Jack-in-the-Pulpit -
                         Red root- "causes clotting disorders
                         "Garlic- "in high dose worsens anticoag" "inhibits platelet aggregation and has fibrinolytic
                         activity"***

                         Vitamin E - "in high doses"
                         Gingko Biloba-"inhibits platelet aggregation"***

                         Feverfew-"inhibits components of the clotting cascade and may inhibit platelet aggregation"***

                         Ginger-"reduces platelet aggregation"
                         ---------------------------------------------------------------------
                         *coumadin (warfacin) is a powerful blood-thinning agent
                         ** salicyate= aspirin
                         ***this can cause prolonged bleeding

                         Herbal Medicines with Possible Inhalant Allergy Cross-Reactivity

                         With Ragweed:
                         Chamomile- "long term use can lead to ragweed allergy"
                         Goldenseal

                         With Sunflower:
                         Echinacea

                         Photosensitization Concerns From Herbal Medicine (skin rash and sensitivity
                         to sunlight)

                         St. John's Wort
                         Celery
                         Dong Qua
                         iYarrow

                         Herbal Medicine with Possible Diuretic Effects (water losing effect)

                         Elder "strong diuretic"
                         Feverfew
                         Dandelion
                         Nettles

                         Herbal Medicine with Possible Blood Pressure Concerns
                         St. John's Wort*- MAO inhibitor effect. "Don't take with amphetamines, amino acids, asthma
                         inhalers, caffeine, decongestants, beer, wine, yogurt, fermented or smoked foods." [avoid
                         amino acid tyramine] Avoid narcotics due to high incidence of high fever with coma.

                         Ma Huang (ephedra)*- "avoid in MAO inhibitor use (often used in depression), glaucoma,
                         anxiety, heart problems"

                         Goldenseal
                         Ginseng
                         Licorice root- causes fluid retention.
                         --------------------------------------------------------------------------
                         *MAO inhibitor is a class of drugs that are commonly used for the treatment of depression

                         Herbal Medicines with Possible Immune Dysregulation Effects

                         Echinacea- "may overstimulate immune system and lead to immune suppression" "Increases
                         tumor necrosis factor" "Don't use in HIV" Don't use for more than 2 weeks in a row.

                         Certain herbs should not be used in autoimmune problems like Multiple Sclerosis, arthritis, and
                         others.

                         Problems with Production of Herbal Products

                         L-Tryptophan - l 989 contamination led to several hundred cases of eosinophilia- myalgia
                         syndrome, and at least one death.

                         Anticholinergic poisoning from herbal tea yerba de mate (Paraguay tea) contaminated by
                         Belladonna alkaloids from weeds overgrowing in the field

                         Vitamin Toxicity

                         Vitamin C- cramps, flatulence, bloating, diarrhea
                         Vitamin E- "thins blood" "reduces effectiveness of thyroid replacement" "avoid high doses
                         with high blood pressure, congestive heart failure, insulin, dependent diabetes, heart
                         problems"

                         Uterine Stimulants
                         yarrow
                         lady's mantle
                         dong quai
                         chamomile
                         cinnamon
                         myrrh
                         yam
                         licorice root
                         many others

                         Herbal Medicines with Possible Hormonal Effects (the vocal folds are known
                         to change due to some hormones; this can be permanent)

                         Dong Quai- "increases effects of ovarian and testicular hormones". Used to treat hormonal
                         problems

                         Yam- "progesterone-like " chemicals

                         Licorice root- "has estrogen and progesterone effect. May change pitch of voice"

                         Hops- "high proportion of estrogens and can lead to loss of libido in men"

                         Primrose- "natural estrogen promoter"

                         Melatonin- "major role in production of estrogen & progesterone & other hormones." "acts as
                         contraceptive in high doses"

                         Yohimbe- "may increase testosterone. Women shouldn't use"

                         Other Cautions

                         Don't use with fever- astragalus(huang qi), goldenseal, others

                         Chewing leaves of feverfew is a folk remedy but can cause mouth sores

                         Lobelia has "nicotine-like" effects and >50 gms can suppress breathing and depress BP and
                         even lead to coma

                         Ginseng lowers blood sugar so shouldn't be used if hypoglycemic

                         Nutmeg is toxic in high doses

                         Sage has chemical (thujone) that can trigger seizures in epileptics.

                         Melatonin- don't use if severe allergy, immune disorder, or cancer

                         Peppermint relaxes smooth muscle and can promote gastric acid reflux into the
                         throat