VOCALS
VOICE PRODUCTS: WILL THIS STUFF ACTUALLY HELP MY VOICE? | Renée Maranan
As a voice teacher, I get asked a lot of questions about different products and whether or not they are good for the voice. In this article, I’ m going to talk about some items and products that singers typically ask me about, with some of my own insights about their potential benefits and risks.
It’ s important to mention that I am not a medical professional, and none of this is medical advice. When it comes to things like medication, supplements, and health products, it’ s always best to consult with your doctor and / or vocal health practitioner( such as an ENT, allergist, laryngologist, or speech language pathologist) for definitive medical advice. This is especially important if you have vocal or general health conditions.
Singers who have relatively healthy voices, with no known injury or pathology, might find this information helpful if they are just trying to filter through the overwhelming amount of information about vocal health products. Hopefully this article will help you make more informed choices when trying products that may support your singing.
LOZENGES There are different kinds of lozenges, and not all of them are helpful for the voice. In general, lozenges can help soothe irritation and prevent excessive coughing, dryness, and perceived stiffness in the voice. But ingredients such as menthol and eucalyptus, or anesthetic agents such as benzocaine or lidocaine, while providing momentary relief, can actually worsen dryness and irritation. Numbing agents may also be a double-edged sword for vocalists, because although they temporarily relieve pain, they may also give singers a false sense of security in their vocal condition which can lead to accidental overuse of the voice when vocal rest would be more appropriate. It would be wise to avoid these ingredients, and instead look for lozenges that use glycerin to help increase oral moisture or pectin to help soothe irritation. A couple brands that are popular among singers are Grether’ s Pastilles and Luden’ s Pectin Lozenges, but there may be others that offer similar benefits.
HOT TEA WITH GINGER OR LEMON Whatever food or drink we consume doesn’ t actually make physical contact with our vocal folds – otherwise, they would end up in our lungs! Instead, they help the voice indirectly by nourishing the body. So if your body responds well to hot tea, ginger, and lemon, then go ahead and add it to your voice care toolbox! You will benefit from the hydration, for starters. There is also some evidence of ginger’ s antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits, and lemon can help with immunity as it is rich in vitamin C. But beware of drinking too much ginger or lemon, because these two ingredients are commonly associated with acid reflux, which can diminish vocal health when aggravated. Also beware of drinking beverages that are too hot, which can actually cause further irritation. Herbal teas that contain slippery elm bark and marshmallow root can be especially helpful for soothing irritation and protecting the mucosa that lines the vocal tract. One popular example of this type of tea is Throat Coat by Traditional Medicinals, but there are other brands that contain these ingredients in different formulations.
THROAT SPRAYS As a last resort, some singers use sprays to help soothe a sore throat and rebound from hoarseness after being sick or vocally fatigued. I have never personally tried throat sprays myself, and I generally avoid recommending products that I haven’ t used before, but an article in the Journal of Voice has evaluated two different types of throat sprays and has found that they may have some benefits. Many singers attest to the effectiveness of these products, but as with the other products listed above, sprays can only offer temporary relief and should be used in conjunction with a complete voice care routine. Most importantly, it would not be wise to use sprays as a means of pushing one’ s voice to perform through illness or fatigue, when what it really needs is rest.
BOTTOM LINE These are just a few of the many products that are believed to be helpful for singers. There is no conclusive proof that any of these products are universally effective, and singers would be wise to view them as supplements rather than miracle cures. The ideal foundation of care for one’ s own voice remains the same: consistent vocal conditioning using strategic and targeted vocal exercises, hydration, vocal pacing, rest, and care for one’ s overall health. There are many products that can support these practices, but none that can totally replace them. For many singers, there is minimal risk in trying these products, except if your body has a negative reaction to any of their individual ingredients. When in doubt, reach out to your medical professional or vocal health practitioner for personalized advice that is tailored to your specific health needs.
Got a singing question? Send an email to hello @ reneemaranan. com with“ WM Vocals Question” in the subject line!
Renée Maranan Renée is a vocal instructor, voice teacher trainer, and life coach, with over 20 years of experience working with singers, vocal instructors, and performers from all over the world. For more vocal help, visit her www. reneemaranan. com or follow her on Instagram(@ reneemaranan). www. ReneeMaranan. com Instagram @ reneemaranan
34 May 2025 Subscribe for Free...