Secret Potions
(And Why They Don’t Work)
Everyone has one: that secret potion that is supposed to help you get rid of the sore throat/cold/bronchitis/flu that you somehow managed to acquire on opening night of the show. I used to mix up these crazy concoctions and hold my nose while I gulped them down because I was desperate to get my voice back in shape and I would do anything to get it that way. Unfortunately for most of us, there is no true “cure all” or quick fix.
The main thing that most of these potion-inventors are failing to remember is one little detail of our basic anatomy: our friend the epiglottis.
When we swallow food or beverages, the epiglottis (indicated above), closes down on the trachea (windpipe) and allows that food and beverage to pass safely down the esophagus and into the stomach for digestion. If those items were to go into the trachea, or “wrong tube” as we call it colloquially, our false vocal folds would slam shut and cause us to cough up the food or beverage. The false vocal folds are above the true vocal folds, so if you have any kind of swelling of the TVF, even in the WORST possible scenario where your epiglottis betrays you and your FVF has to kick in and provide an assist (sports metaphor), that food or beverage will never touch your true vocal folds.
Warm tea or cold beverages can be very soothing to an irritated or swollen soft palate, tonsils, uvula, or esophagus, but that is why I can confidently say that the temperature of your beverage depends on your preference. One or the other is going to have no effect on your voice whatsoever.
Certain herbs (like licorice root) can actually be very dehydrating and are found in some throat coat teas, so be careful about how many gallons you gulp down before a performance. Things like “Singer’s Saving Grace” throat spray will temporarily relieve pain, but will not cure a sore throat, and may even cause further injury if you push beyond what your voice is capable of when you forget that there is pain to begin with. Most of the items in these potions have wonderful healing properties and can heal your body of illnesses, but will not have an immediate effect on your throat.
If you do get sick, the best thing you can do is see your doctor immediately to discuss what treatment they suggest, and then speak to your voice teacher or ENT about the best way to treat your symptoms. A steamer is ALWAYS a great investment. Steam WILL get all the way to your vocal folds and will always help to soothe a sore throat or to thin out excess mucous.
Remember that the best thing you can do is to prevent yourself from getting sick in the first place.
Don’t drink alcohol. Don’t smoke. Hydrate. Get enough rest. Practice excellent hygiene.