Are you wondering which are the best throat lozenges for singers?
You get sick and your throat hurts.
Which sore throat lozenges really work without harming your voice?
That is exactly what I am going to share in this video.
You will also learn how to chose the appropriate type of lozenges so that you minimize the
risk of vocal injury but still soothe your throat.
Hi and welcome back!
If we haven’t met yet, I am Katarina from How 2 Improve Singing and here on this channel,
I share tips on how to use your voice in a healthy and efficient way.
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And I am curious to know: Which lozenges for sore throat do you tend to grab when you get
sick?
Let me know in the comments below.
So, you experience throat discomfort: your throat feels itchy or you feel throat pain.
You have a hard time swallowing or your throat feels dry.
But you need your voice, you have a performance or you are giving a speech in a couple of
days and you are looking for a quick solution.
So, you reach for some lozenges for throat pain.
But which lozenges are the best for singers and voice users?
First, let’s be clear about one thing: throat lozenges are not intended to cure or treat
any disease.
They are meant to help you soothe your throat, relieve the pain or other symptoms you may
have.
But not all lozenges were created equal.
There are lozenges that contain medicated ingredients, for example drugs that numb the
pain, then there are lozenges that contain menthol or eucalyptus, and there are lozenges
that do not contain any medicated ingredients.
Some of these throat lozenges may have a negative effect on your voice.
Each of these groups are meant to help with different problems.
Group 1: Medicated Throat Lozenges One of the drugs contained in throat lozenges
is an anesthetic, which is a drug that decreases pain.
This type of lozenges numbs your throat so that you get a temporary relieve of throat
pain.
Other lozenges can contain antiseptics, which is a drug killing viruses and bacteria in
your throat.
Examples of medicated lozenges are Cepacol or Strepsils.
And there are many different types of Cepacol and Strepsils lozenges with different combination
of drugs in them.
The problem with numbing lozenges is that they mask pain.
If you don’t feel pain, you are more prone to vocal injuries because you can easily overwork
your vocal folds.
So, if you opt for numbing lozenges because the pain is simply unbearable, don’t sing
or use your voice extensively while you are taking them.
Group 2: Lozenges with Menthol and Eucalyptus Ingredients such as menthol and eucalyptus
are now found in almost all lozenges.
Even the medicated lozenges have some extra menthol for a better effect.
Menthol and eucalyptus are mostly used as decongestants.
So, this group of lozenges may be good for a blocked nose or sinuses.
Menthol constricts the blood vessels in the nose, which reduces swelling and you are able
to breathe easier.
However, the effect can be only temporary.
The main drawback of lozenges containing menthol is that they have a dehydrating effect.
And sometimes that is not what you want to achieve when your throat or mouth already
feel dry.
Examples of menthol lozenges are regular Halls, Ricola, Fisherman’s Friend or Vicks.
Group 3: Non-Medicated Throat Lozenges Finally, there is a third group of lozenges
that do not contain any drugs but have active ingredients, such as pectin, glycerin or elm
bark.
For example, Luden’s lozenges contain pectin, which is a gelatinous substance that coats
the throat to reduce irritation.
These special Halls lozenges, Halls Breezers, also contain pectin and have the same effect.
Grethers pastilles use glycerin, which is a good natural lubricant.
Thayers Slippery Elm lozenges contain elm bark, which contains mucilage.
This is a sticky substance that coats the throat.
It is also believed that elm bark lozenges are good for suppressing coughs.
So, which lozenges are the best throat soothing lozenges?
As you can see there are many different types of lozenges.
So, don’t use the first lozenges you come across.
Chose the ones that match your needs, and those will be the best for you.
If you have pain from a sore throat, use numbing medicated lozenges but avoid heavy voice use.
If you have a dry throat and mouth, use lubricating non-medicated lozenges with pectin, glycerin
or elm bark.
And if you have a hoarse voice without the presence of an infection, then lozenges will
probably not help.
Instead, rest your voice, drink plenty of fluids and steam your voice.
To help you make a good and informed decision when choosing the best throat lozenges, I
prepared a cheat sheet with all of the information about different types of lozenges that you
can download for free.
Click this link to get your copy.
Bonus tip When choosing an over-the-counter medication,
such as lozenges, chose one that contains a single active ingredient instead of drugs
covering all symptoms with multiple ingredients.
For example, if you are congested, use decongestants.
If you have pain, use a painkiller.
There is no one single type of throat lozenges that is best for everyone because we have
different needs.
So, always read the label and make sure that the ingredients match your needs.
And of course, pharmacists are there to help so don’t be afraid to ask questions.
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I hope to see you soon!