You have probably already noticed that some singers do use some kind of throat spray, right before they start singing. Most people when they see a singer use a throat spray think that they are actually using a spray to make breath smell better, although some singers do this, especially if they are singing as a duo but generally speaking most singers use a throat spray which is made for singers.
The best throat spray for singers is one that lubricates and creates a protective coat on your vocal cords. In addition to this most throat sprays for singers also come with several active ingredients that have anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Overall the best throat spray for singers is the Vocal Eze Herbal Throat Spray, as it is made by singers for singers.
If you have ever sung with a dry throat you already know how annoying and how hard it is to sing, and you will not have always the option to sip some water, especially if you are on stage. You might even find that even if you have drunk plenty of water before singing that you still get an itchy throat which will alter your voice. During my career, the worst thing which I saw at auditions was singers throwing up, although this might also have something to do with nervousness.
Throat sprays work fairly similarly to a throat coat tea, they will make a thin protective layer on your throat and vocal cords, this will not let your throat dry up while you are singing. As you are singing you will have a lot of air coming in and out of your throat which will inevitably dry out your throat and this is why most singers use a throat spray right before singing. There are some singers who never had a problem with their throat drying up, although these singers are fairly low in numbers.
There are a lot of brands that make throat sprays specifically for singers, but if you compare the ingredients to any throat spray you will notice that they more or less contain the same ingredients. The main difference between a normal throat spray and a throat spray made for singers is the difference in the quantity of the ingredients and how fast they act. It is kind of important that the throat spray makes the protective layer as fast a possible. If you want to know more about vocal health then check out my recent article How to take care of your vocal cords for singing? ( In 10 Easy Ways ).
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Vocal Eze Herbal Throat Spray
Click here to check it out on Amazon.com
This throat spray is actually endorsed by a couple of famous singers like Tim McGraw and Rob Thomas amongst other celebrities. What sets apart this throat spray from all other throat sprays made for singers is that this one can actually prove that it was made for singers and with the help of them as this throat spray was made with the collaboration of Sony Music Nashville and the CMA Awards. The throat spray was actually developed with a wellness coach who toured with famous bands like Linkin Park and famous singers like Tim McGraw.
Although most throat sprays claim that they are made for singers, but except for this throat spray none of them can back it up, and they are probably only “made for singers” just so that they can sell an average throat spray to a different market at a higher price. When it comes to active ingredients you will see that this throat spray has basically every active ingredient from all of the other throat sprays in this list combined into a single throat spray.
This throat spray is FDA approved and it also has a GMP certification. It does not contain any alcohol which is great news for any singer who does not want to dehydrate their voice even further with alcohol. The only drawback this throat spray has is that it is not gluten-free, although with its numerous active ingredients it would be fairly hard to achieve this.
Active ingredients
- Honey is probably one of the most important active ingredients in this throat spray, it not only has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties but also makes a protective coat on your throat and vocal cords.
- Ginger root also has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, I have somewhere on my site an article about gingers health benefits for singers, so look it up.
- Aloe vera has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, while most throat sprays will only have one ingredient which has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties but this one has several of them which is a great combination for a throat spray that is truly made for singers.
- Echinacea is an active ingredient relieves throat pain, and it is extremely good if you are singing for long periods of time.
- Osha root is claimed to have healing properties when it comes to the throat and respiratory system, although take it with a grain of salt as the FDA doesn’t really agree.
- Marshmallow root: if you have ever taken a cough syrup the odds are it contained Marshmallow root, this root is excellent for relieving coughs and protecting your throat.
Singer’s Saving Grace Professional Strength
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The company behind this throat spray has been making throat spray specifically designed for singers since a couple of decades ago. Back in the days before the internet was so popular, it has gained a fairly big following of singers. I have personally used this throat spray a couple of times, and I do recommend it for every singer, especially if you have an audition. Some throat sprays contain alcohol to kill off the bacteria and for better absorption, this one doesn’t and this is one of the reasons why it is one of my favorites.
The problem with throat sprays that do contain alcohol is that alcohol dehydrates you a lot faster, and for singers, alcohol is not the best substance to spray on their throats. The way this throat spray works is that it will make the thick mucus layer thinner and thus helping you eliminate it. Generally speaking, singers will have a thick mucus build up in the morning or if they hurt their throat.
In addition to this, the Singer’s Saving Grace creates a thin protective layer and lubricates the throat, which means that while you are singing you will not get as easily dehydrated and get an itchy throat.
Active ingredients
- Osha root is found in the Rocky Mountains and in some parts of Mexico. This root is thought to have health benefits when it comes to throat and lung problems, although the FDA doesn’t really agree.
- Echinacea is actually a flower, and a lot of teas that relieve sore throat do contain echinacea, so this is one of the main ingredients why this throat spray actually works.
- Propolis, a lot of people actually think that propolis is a fancy name for honey, the truth is that propolis is beeswax mixed with bee saliva and this is why it is also considered as being bee glue. As disgusting as that might seem, propolis does have some great health benefits like healing wounds and it even has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties which is a big bonus for any singer.
- Yerba mansa root has been used for a very long time to treat colds it and it also is a natural pain killer and a disinfectant. In addition to this, it also aids the body in mucus production and elimination.
- Licorice root has been used for centuries if not millennia to treat the common cold, in addition to this it is also used as a sweetener which is great for throat sprays made for singers as sugar will also dehydrate your throat.
- Ginger root is probably my favorite root when it comes to the health of my voice, it has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties.
Singer’s Saving Grace Extra Strength
Click here to check it out on Amazon.com
This is more or less the same as the above-mentioned throat spray, with the only difference that it has alcohol. I am not a big fan of throat sprays which contain alcohol as it does alter your voice, the good news is that the quantity of alcohol is fairly small so you will not have the problems which alcohol makes for singers. The active ingredients are the same as for the above-mentioned throat spray.
Using this throat spray is fairly situational, I personally would use it if I am about to get a cold or if I am already recovering from a cold. If you want a throat spray for everyday use then I recommend the above throat spray instead of this one.
Banyan Botanicals Throat Soother
Click here to check it out on Amazon.com
The main goal of this throat spray is to eliminate excess mucus and it does a great job at it. Its secondary goal is to lubricate your throat and it achieves this with its active ingredients. If you take a closer look at this throat spray you will notice the word “Kapha” mentioned a couple of times, this word comes from the Ayurveda tradition. Basically, it is an ancient form of healing and it has something to do with the body’s overall balance, although don’t quote me on that.
I am really not a big fan of homeopathic medicines which have some pretentious words like “chi”, “chakra” and so on. Basically, most homeopathic medicines do not have any proof that they are working, on the bright side this is a throat spray and it does what it claims very well. This throat spray has the USDA Organic Certification, basically, this throat spray doesn’t contain chemicals or other additives, as far as I am aware.
Active ingredients
- Slippery elm is mainly used for treating sore throats, and it will also ease your coughing. In addition to this, it also has several health benefits that are not related to the respiratory system or to your throat like healing urinary tract infections.
- Turmeric root is in the ginger family and it has similar properties to ginger, like anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties.
- Clove is actually a spice rather than something that would aid you with your throat pain, on the other hand, it does have a lot of health benefits but most of them are not related to the throat or respiratory system
- Fennel is actually related to carrots, although it does have some health benefits but just like carrots, it isn’t something you would take to heal or aid your throat.
- Peppermint leaf oil is probably the main ingredient that actually helps your voice, this oil has most of the health benefits of the actual peppermint, at what it is great at is relieving itching. Now you might think that this is not an important ingredient for a throat spray made for singers, but when your throat dries out it is only a matter of time till it starts to itch, one quick puff from this and the itching in your throat goes away.
Entertainer’s Secret Throat Relief Spray
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This throat spray works on the same principles as any other throat spray in this list, clearing excess mucus, creating a thin protective layer on your throat, and lubricating it. What I love about this throat spray is that it contains no alcohol and it is also gluten-free. Singers who are gluten intolerant know how hard it is to find a throat spray without gluten, as most throat sprays add several spices for flavor and most of these spices do contain gluten.
Active ingredients
- Aloe vera gel is made from the aloe vera plant, it has antioxidant and antibacterial properties, in addition to this, it does contain vitamins and minerals. In addition to its healing properties, this gel will also reduce dental plaque.
- Sodium carboxymethylcellulose, although you might think due to the name that is some powerful medicine that might help your throat, the truth is that this is actually a food additive and it does not have any nutritious value or healing properties.
- Other chemicals, this throat spray is mostly made out of food preservatives and additives, although it does work but the main reason why it does is the aloe vera gel and not due to the chemicals.
In conclusion
As you can see there are several throat sprays made for singers, but only one was actually made with the help of singers. Although this doesn’t mean that the other throat sprays do not work, far from it. My personal recommendation is to try a couple of them out till one works for you, as everybody is built differently we all have different needs when it comes to our vocal health.
