As a singer, you will have to take care of your vocal cords, while you are singing you put a lot of pressure on your throat and vocal cords. This increased pressure will make your throat and vocal cords a lot more sensitive than they normally are, basically, you will be a lot more prone to get an infection or an inflammation. Once your throat gets infected or inflamed then it will be fairly hard to sing, and if you have a big audition in front of you then this is the last thing you probably want.
The best throat lozenges for singers are the ones that both protect the throat and make the pain go away. Some throat lozenges for singers do contain benzocaine which is an anesthetic, it will make the pain go away but it will also make your throat numb. Generally speaking the best throat lozenges for singers are the Voice37 and the Cepacol Maximum Strength.
The main problem with singing is that it dehydrates the throat, and this could even happen if you are fairly well-hydrated. The main reason why so many singers use throat lozenges is that it protects your throat and vocal cords from injury. Throat lozenges are cough drops or pastilles, generally speaking, most of these have a hard shell and in the middle, they contain some kind of liquid.
Throat lozenges will calm your throat and lubricate it for better performance, which means that your throat will not hurt while you are singing. If you have ever taken throat pastilles then you have probably noticed that your throat is fairly numb and the pain is gone. This is because generally speaking most throat lozenges do contain an anesthetic which will reduce the sensation of pain, although this does not mean that you got well.
Far too often I have seen singers forcing their throats with throat lozenges because they didn’t feel the pain, only to lose their voice and injure themselves a couple of days later. If your throat hurts, take a pastille but do not sing, you won’t feel the pain and this will make you force your throat even more, and eventually, you will make some serious damage to your throat. When your throat hurts you have to take a couple of days off singing, during that time use throat lozenges to ease the pain but don’t sign till you get better. If you are not a fan of throat lozenges and your throat still hurts then your best option is to use tea, for more information check out my recent article Best tea for singing voice ( Top 11 Teas ).
Best Throat Lozenges For Singers
When it comes to throat lozenges for singers, there are several options that can help soothe the throat and provide temporary relief from vocal strain. One popular choice among singers is the VocalZone Throat Pastilles. These lozenges contain natural ingredients like menthol, peppermint oil, and myrrh, which can help to alleviate throat irritation and promote vocal clarity.
Another trusted brand is the Ricola Original Herb Cough Drops, which are made with a blend of herbal extracts like peppermint, thyme, and elderflower. These lozenges provide a cooling sensation and can help soothe the throat while maintaining vocal health. Other singers may prefer options like the Fisherman’s Friend Original Extra Strong Menthol Cough Suppressant Lozenges, which offer a potent menthol effect to open up the airways and provide relief.
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Voice37
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This Voice37 is actually made for singers, it works by creating a protective coat on your throat, breaking up the thick mucus, and lubricating your throat. I highly recommend this lozenge for singers who know that they have a long day of singing in front of them. The only downside is that it is fairly slow to act when you compare it to others although a couple of minutes you will have to wait to kick in will be well worth it.
Cepacol Maximum Strength
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The Cepacol Maximum Strength is a favorite cough drop of many singers, mostly because it acts fairly fast. The active ingredients are menthol and benzocaine, menthol cools off the throat and relieves pain, benzocaine is basically an anesthetic, and this is what is actually taking away the pain. Some people are more sensitive to benzocaine than others and you might find that your whole throat gets numb after taking a pastille. On the other hand, it does what it is supposed to do, creates a protective layer, relieves pain, and lubricates the throat.
The taste of it is fairly subjective, some love it, some hate it, I personally do not care about the taste as long as it helps with my throat pain. The one thing you probably won’t like about this throat pastille is the numbing effect, I don’t know how much benzocaine it contains but sometimes it can be overkill.
Sucrets Classic
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I use the Sucrets Classic throat pastille fairly often, especially if I am attending an event where I have to speak. Although this is not as powerful as the above-mentioned lozenge but it can be a voice saver. If you are a singer then you have probably had a dry throat at some point right before you had to sing, and you could not run to grab some water, and this is where this pastille comes into play. Take one and you will instantly notice that your throat feels a lot fresher and that it is instantly hydrated.
One of the drawbacks is that the effects do not last so long and if your throat hurts then it will ease the pain but this is not always the case. My personal recommendation is to use this throat lozenge as a backup plan, to fight dry throat. Although you should always hydrate instead of taking a pastille before singing.
Vocalzone Throat Pastilles
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As a singer, you have probably seen Vocalzone Throat Pastilles a couple of times already. What makes this throat pastille great for singers is that the numbing effect is fairly low, meaning it will not affect your voice that much. This works great both for dry throat and when your throat starts to become irritated and even itchy. The soothing effect is almost instant, although if one pastille didn’t take the pain away you might be tempted to take another one, don’t do this as you shouldn’t take more than one pill every two hours.
Zicam
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Zicam is a great throat pastille especially if you take it right before you get sick. Oftentimes before you get sick you will notices that your throat hurts even if you have not forced your voice with singing, this is one of the first symptoms that you are going to literally catch a cold. In this case, you should use Zicam as it is clinically proven to shorten colds and it even can prevent them if you use it in the early stages of your cold.
Luden’s Deliciously Soothing Throat Drops
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A lot of singers love Luden’s Deliciously Soothing Throat Drops, and some even use it just in case, while others eat it like candy. Taste is fairly subjective if you do not like throat lozenges that contain menthol go with this one as it has a lot of different flavors, although you might find it extremely sweet. When it comes to aiding your throat it does a good job, it easily lubricates and eliminates the pain. In general, this is a great alternative to cough drops that do contain menthol.
Activz Silver Lozenges
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If you do not want any artificial sweeteners or preservatives in your lozenges then the Activz Silver Lozenges would be a great alternative for you. It acts fairly fast and it coats and lubricates your throat quite effectively and for a fairly long period of time. Although it doesn’t have any artificial sweeteners you might not like the taste of it, but hopefully, you are not using lozenges because of their taste but to ease your pain.
Original All Natural Silver Throat Lozenges
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The Original All Natural Silver Throat Lozenges also contain a silver solution just like the above mentioned one, although its soothing effect lasts somewhat longer when compared to the previous one. One thing which might put you off is how sweet it is, although if you have a sweet tooth then this will probably be a big bonus. On the other hand, it does its job fairly well and you will feel its effects in a matter of a couple of minutes, depending on how sore and dry your mouth is.
Halls Sugar-Free lozenges
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Even if you do not know what lozenges are, you have probably heard of the Halls Sugar-Free lozenges. When I get the flu I often use Halls drops to soothe the pain mostly because they do contain a lot of Vitamin C which actually helps with the inflammation of my throat. It has probably one of the most powerful cooling effects out of all of the lozenges mentioned in this list, although if you do not like this cooling effect then you probably will not like it.
Fisherman’s Friend
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The Fisherman’s Friend lozenge has a kick to it, you will either love it or hate it. This lozenge not only coats your throat and lubricates it but is also a very effective cough suppressant. The main active ingredients are eucalyptus oil and sugar licorice which are both great for relieving throat pain and protecting your throat for a long time. The great thing about this throat drop is that it acts fairly fast and it mostly contains natural ingredients.
Grether’s Pastilles
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The company behind this Grether’s Pastilles is over 100 years old, and they do know how to make an excellent throat relief pastille. The main difference between this lozenge and others is that this one is actually meant to be chewed. Once you start chewing your mouth will be flooded with saliva and all the ingredients of the pastille will be absorbed fairly quickly. It tastes great and works as intended, although its price might put you off.
Ocusoft Fontus Throat Lozenges
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What sets apart the Ocusoft Fontus Throat Lozenges from all others is that it contains green apple extract and aloe vera. The green apple extract will stimulate the production of saliva, even if your throat is dry. On the other hand, aloe vera has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties which is a big plus in my opinion. This lozenge is recommended by a lot of vocal coaches and teachers, just ask them what they think about it.
Soothe Throat Discs
The Soothe Throat Discs lozenge is 100% organic and its main aim is to protect your throat and vocal coal cords, this one is especially helpful if you have a dry raspy voice or if you have a hoarse voice. Although this will not fix your underlying vocal problems but it will relieve you from throat pain and discomfort. My only complaint is that in some areas it is almost impossible to find unless you get it online.
TMRG Powerful Vocal Recovery KIT
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The TMRG Powerful Vocal Recovery KIT is a small kit made of different products by TMRG, all the products in the kit have different roles in protecting and aiding your voice. Although this is close to a daily supplement than something that will immediately relieve pain and coat your throat. Some singers might find that for them it works after only a couple of hours, while some will have to use it for a couple of days in order to see any positive improvement, but once it starts working you will see a noticeable effect on the quality of your voice.
Jakeman’s Throat and Chest Anise Flavored Lozenges
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What sets the Jakeman’s Throat and Chest Anise Flavored Lozenges apart from the others is that it has active ingredients that are actually beneficial not only for your throat but for your respiratory system as well. This one acts fairly fast, the only downside for me is the taste of it which is anise. If you don’t know what anise tastes like then drink a shot of sambuca as this is made of anise, you will either love or hate the taste of this lozenge.
Thayers Slippery Elm Tangerine
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Although the Thayers Slippery Elm Tangerine lozenge also relieves your throat pain fairly fast but this one is mainly used to maintain a healthy voice. The main difference between this one and other lozenges is that this one has all the benefits of menthol but without the irritation which some menthol pills might cause. It mainly achieves this with its active ingredient the slippery elm, when it comes to the taste it is kind of sweet but bearable.
Vita Vocal Throat and Voice Enhancer
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This Vita Vocal Throat and Voice Enhancer is also made specifically for singers, and it even fixes hoarseness in some cases. Although this lozenge is more a daily supplement than an immediate aid to your sore throat and generally speaking it will take around 2 weeks to notice any effects. So if your throat hurts right now, you would probably be better off using another lozenge. On the other hand, it does a good job of protecting your voice, but you have to take it every day for at least a week or two.
Chloraseptic Total
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In addition to reiving pain, the Chloraseptic Total lozenge also cools your nasal passages fairly quickly. So if you have a sore throat and a stuffy nose then you should definitely try this lozenge out. It is fairly fast-acting and it doesn’t contain any sugar, which is a big bonus for singers as sugar isn’t beneficial for your voice.
Key Takeaways
- Fisherman’s Friend throat lozenges are known for their strong menthol and eucalyptus flavor, which can help clear the nasal passages and soothe the throat. They provide temporary relief from throat irritation and can be beneficial for singers experiencing congestion or mild throat discomfort.
- Vocalzone throat pastilles are specifically designed for singers and performers. They contain natural ingredients like myrrh, menthol, and peppermint oil, which help to soothe and lubricate the throat. Vocalzone pastilles are known for their long-lasting effects and are often favored by professional singers.
- Luden’s throat drops offer a range of flavors and are widely available. They provide temporary relief for dry and scratchy throats and can help soothe vocal irritation. Luden’s drops are convenient and suitable for singers looking for a quick and easy throat remedy.
FAQ
What lozenges are good for singing?
There are various lozenges that singers find helpful, such as those containing ingredients like menthol, honey, herbal extracts (e.g., licorice root, slippery elm), or soothing throat-coating agents like glycerin. These lozenges can provide temporary relief by moisturizing the throat and reducing irritation.
What are the best throat lozenges for vocal chords?
The best throat lozenges for vocal chords may vary depending on individual preferences and needs. Some popular choices among singers include lozenges with natural ingredients like honey, ginger, marshmallow root, or ones specifically designed for vocal health that promote hydration and throat comfort.
What do singers use to help their throat?
Singers often use a combination of remedies to help their throats, such as drinking warm water or herbal teas, using throat sprays or lozenges with soothing ingredients, inhaling steam, and practicing vocal warm-up exercises to promote proper vocal technique and relieve vocal strain.
What singers use for a sore throat?
Singers may use various remedies for a sore throat, including warm saltwater gargles, throat-coating teas with ingredients like honey or slippery elm, steam inhalation, throat sprays, or lozenges with soothing properties. It’s important to note that individual preferences may vary, and it’s best to consult with a vocal coach or healthcare professional for personalized advice.