A Vocal First Aid Kit for Your Vocal Needs



For any singer that does regular “gigs”, shows, studio sessions, or even auditions, it is wisdom to keep a “Vocal First Aid Kit” handy.  Just as you probably keep a First Aid Kit in your car for physical emergencies, when your livelihood depends on your voice, it’s very smart to be able to take care of any vocal emergencies you might have.  Of course, make CERTAIN to have plenty of water, which you have LABELED, so that no one else "shares".  Here are the suggested contents for your kit:
·      “Local” honey with PLASTIC SPOONS (if in a jar, keep jar in a Ziploc bag to avoid sticky spillage).  “Local” honey is from hives nearby.  Check on the Internet or at a nearby farm for fresh supplies.  I buy local honey at a “Bagel Boys” shop near me. 
·      In a portable thermos, keep “Throat Coat” (http://www.traditionalmedicinals.com/products/throat-coat/) or “Throat Comfort” (https://www.yogiproducts.com/teas/throat-comfort/) tea, as well as Peppermint, Chamomile, and/or Slippery Elm Bark Teas, to combine with one of the first two.  The thermos should keep lots of very warm to hot water.  A personal favorite of mine is my own recipe.  It's very simple but very effective.  You simply steep finely chopped, fresh ginger into hot water, and add honey and as much or as little Cayenne Pepper as you like.  Growing up, the only "spice" my Mother cooked with was salt.  HOWEVER, I have come to LOVE this tea, especially if my throat is tired or bothering me.  I can feel it "warming" as it goes down my esophagus.  Wonderful!
·      A Tea Ball, if your tea is not in bags, and a cup and/or other hot and cold container to prepare, mix and drink your tea from.  Again, have a larger plastic bag to hold all of this to cut down on the mess.
·      Grapefruit Seed Extract; Vitamin C 1000 mg. with rosehips; and/or Wellness Formula (any version – tablet, spray or liquid - http://www.sourcenaturals.com/products/GP1345/); and/or Stress Tabs (http://www.mystresstabs.com/product-info/)– These are “supplements” but a good singer, especially a professional, should always think proactively, which means keeping your immune system strong, especially around others.
·      Alkalol liquid (http://www.alkalolcompany.com/) for gargling and/or nasal rinse (Alkalol can be ordered from ANY local pharmacy desk and it is very inexpensive)
·      Bulb syringe or large eye dropper for use with the Alkalol, Neti Pot solution, or mild salt water (always clean these using soapy, hot water, and continue cleaning until all water runs clear)
·      FOR TRAVELING – Sudafed tablets (https://www.sudafed.com/products?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Branded+-+OTC&utm_term=%2Bsudafed%20pe&utm_content=PE+-+OTC|mkwid|sXGzEDHrP_dc|pcrid|81059072600) (unless your doctor has prescribed something else).  These (one dose) should be taken 30 MINUTES prior to TAKEOFF and/or 30 minutes before landing, for air travel, if there is ANY question that your nose and/or ears are “closing” or blocked.  Sudafed is a short-acting, non-habit-forming over-the-counter medication that can save you from a full-on ear infection after a flight.  Regardless of whether you take the Sudafed or not, DRINK LOTS OF WATER WHILE FLYING.  Air travel is VERY dehydrating but the water will help.
·      ALSO FOR AIR TRAVEL and ONLY FOR USE WHEN ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY, 2 sprays per nostril of Neosynephrine (http://neosynephrine.com/) or Afrin Nose Spray (https://www.afrin.com/afrin/home/index.jspa), 30 minutes before takeoff, and/or 30 minutes prior to landing – use in conjunction with Sudafed for best results.  Landing is actually harder on our ears and sinuses than takeoff because the process tends to take longer.
·      Other possible contents include:  Sugar-Free throat lozenges, should bottled water be unavailable or inconvenient for a period of time; Black Elderberry Syrup (http://www.gaiaherbs.com/products/detail/95/Black-Elderberry-Syrup) for more Immune Support and to soothe the throat; Kleenex; a small towel for freshening up.  Absolutely NO sprays or syrups or lozenges that "deaden" throat pain, such as Chloraseptic - NEVER use this!  You can do PERMANENT damage to yourself!
·      ON PERFORMANCE DAYS, NO MEOW – NO MILK or dairy; NO EGGS; NO ORANGE juice or citrus; NO WHEAT – ALSO AVOID CARBONATED AND CAFFEINATED BEVERAGES PLUS WATER, WATER, WATER… AND SLEEP, SLEEP, SLEEP

Again, I know this is a lot of information but it's good stuff and hopefully you will find it helpful as well.  Please post any questions or comments or further suggestions below.  Check out my website at SingitForward.net and thanks again for reading.  Sing it Forward!

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