Thursday 3 November 2011

Singer Solutions for Sickness

As Cold Season Rolls around, I find myself being asked on a daily basis for singer's home remedies for Sore throat and Colds, so here are some of my favourites!

SORE THROAT 
Zinc
At the first sign of a sore throat, suck on a Zinc Lozenge, preferably 20mg or more per lozenge.   Use one lozenge every 4 hours or as directed.

Post-Nasal Drip
A sore throat is usually the result of post-nasal drip, meaning an abundance of mucus accumulated in your sinuses, dripping slowly down the back of your throat.  Treating the sinus issues, you can often get rid of the cause of the sore throat.  Try a Neti Pot.  Gross but it works really well!

What can I do? I've lost my voice! LARYNGITIS
Make your own Citron Beverage without drugs that numb your throat.
3 tablespoons liquid honey
2 ounces of lemon juice (pure)
2 teasponns of granulated sugar
1 Xtra large cup
Drink as much and as often as you like


Apple Cider Vinegar
A mixture of Apple Cider Vinegar and honey is a great treatment for laryngitis.  Drink two teaspoons of apple cider vinegar, mixture with one tablespoon honey in a medium glass of hot water.  Repeat 3 times per day until voice returns.

Salt Water
Salt water can be very soothing, but avoid over use due to the drying properties of Salt. Gargle with a strong mixture of iodized salt and warm water.

Ginger
Ginger is a natural anti-inflammatory. It can help reduce swelling in your body and your throat. I like to make ginger tea. Buy fresh ginger root at the grocery store. Slice off several thin slices of the root, put it in your mug, and pour boiling water over it or boil it on the stove for a stronger flavour. Add honey and lemon if you like for antibiotic and Vitamin C. Let it steep for a while and drink it. It's delicious and very soothing.

You can also try a tea like Throat tea or Breathe Easy tea.


If You Have a Cough
A wonderful natural solution to a cough is garlic (or onion) and honey.  Chop up an entire bulb of garlic (or onion) and put it in a bowl.  Cover the garlic (or onion) with honey and let the mixture sit overnight.  In the morning, remove the garlic and/or onion and take two teaspoons of the honey mixture.  The honey is instantly soothing to the throat, and the garlic (or onion) has wonderful immune-boosting powers.  It really smells!  You can also mix honey with Turmeric, and let it go slowly down your throat.  This works nicely for sore throat too.

If you are coming down with a Cold
At the first sign of a cold, try Airborne, available at drug stores. It is an herbal supplement that will help fight off infection.
As well, there's a great herbal formula available at most health food stores called Echinalin or Cold FX. Start taking this right away. It's got dozens of good herbs (Echinacea, Goldenseal, etc.) as well as garlic, so it's kind of stinky, but very effective.
Everyone knows about Echinacea, as natural immune booster.  But you should know that if you take it for too long, your body will develop a tolerance to it and it will no longer be effective.   However, if you take it for 6 days and not on the 7th, it may help you get over your cold.
Goldenseal is a natural antibiotic, so taken with Echinacea, it can help you feel better faster.  Goldenseal should not be taken excessively, and never on a regular basis.
And don't forget the Vitamin C!

Most Importantly, Wash your hands, use hand sanitizer, take your vitamins, eat right and exercise.  Prevention is the best cure!

As with all medical issues, if your conditions worsens, or persists more than one week, consult your medical professional.

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