As a singer, you know just how important it is to take care of your voice, and that tea can be a great remedy. Over time, the strain of singing can cause inflammation and damage to your vocal cords; if you don't take care of them. That's why in order to maintain the health of your voice, it's essential to adopt strategies that help to reduce inflammation and keep your vocal cords hydrated. Drinking tea is one of the most effective ways to do this.
But, with so many options out there, what exactly is the best tea for singers? Let's find out!
The Benefits of Drinking Tea for Singers
Drinking tea is a great way to soothe your throat if you're a singer. Many teas have natural soothing properties that can help to reduce the soreness, strain, and inflammation that can come after exercising your voice. This can be especially helpful for singers who use their voices frequently and may experience strain and damage to their vocal cords.
Not only that, but tea has a number of other perks for singers, including:
Hydration: Singers need to stay hydrated to keep their vocal cords moistened and healthy. Because tea is a great source of hydration, having a cup nearby it can help to prevent dryness and irritation in your throat, which can no doubt muff up a performance. Plus, being on stage for many hours rehearsing can make it difficult to drink as much water as you should be, which can lead to dehydration.
Anti-Inflammatory properties: Singers often experience inflammation in their vocal cords due to the strain of performing. Tea has natural anti-inflammatory properties that can help to reduce swelling and prevent damage to your vocal cords both in the short-term and long-term.
Antioxidants: Tea is rich in antioxidants, which can help to protect your cells from damage and reduce inflammation throughout your body. This can have a positive impact on the health of your vocal cords over time, as well as your body overall.
Relaxation: If you're a singer coping with stress and anxiety — maybe because of an upcoming solo, or exhaustion from late nights practicing with the choir — tea can do wonders. Most teas have theanine, which can provide a calming effect and help to reduce stress levels, helping you to relax right before a concert, in the weeks leading up to one, or after the performance is said and done.
Immune support: Singers need to stay healthy to perform at their best. Tea — especially green tea and echinacea tea — has immune-boosting properties that can help to strengthen your immune system and keep you healthy.
The Best Tea for Singers
When it comes to choosing the best tea as a singer, there are a few key factors to consider. To start, you want a tea that is gentle on your vocal cords and won't cause irritation. Second, you want a tea that is hydrating and can help to keep your vocal cords moist. To take it a step further, you may want a tea that has anti-inflammatory properties to reduce swelling and irritation in your throat.
Of course, you'll also want a tea that you enjoy, too, especially if you plan to make drinking tea a ritual and part of your singing routine. Even better if you can find a tea that has all these things.
Here are some of the best tea options for singers:
1. Green Tea —To Reduce Inflammation
Green tea is a popular choice among singers because of its high antioxidant content. Antioxidants are important for reducing inflammation and protecting your cells from damage. Green tea is also hydrating and contains a moderate amount of caffeine, which can help to improve your alertness and focus without having too much caffeine which can be harmful to your singing voice.
When brewing green tea for singing, be sure to use water that is not too hot, as boiling water can damage the delicate antioxidants in the tea leaves. Instead, aim for water that is around 160-180°F. Steep for 1-3 minutes, depending on your preference.
2. Licorice Root Tea — A Sweet Soother
Licorice isn't the best-tasting candy (in our opinion), but licorice root tea is another story. While it might be a bit harder to find in the tea aisle, if you can manage to get your hands on it, licorice root tea is a soothing and hydrating tea that can be great for singers. It contains compounds that help to reduce inflammation and soothe your throat. It's also naturally sweet, which can be a nice alternative to adding sugar to your tea.
When brewing licorice root tea, be sure to use boiling water and steep for at least 5 minutes to extract the full flavor and benefits of the root.
3. Chamomile Tea — To Relax Before the Big Solo
Chamomile tea is known for its calming properties, which can help to reduce anxiety and tension in your vocal cords. This is important if you need to calm down a bit before getting on stage. Additionally, chamomile tea is also hydrating and can help to soothe inflammation in your throat.
When brewing chamomile tea, use water that is around 200°F and steep for 3-5 minutes. You can also add honey to chamomile tea to enhance its flavor and soothing properties.
4. Marshmallow Root Tea — To Moisten Your Vocal Cords
Marshmallow root tea — not the same as throwing marshmallows in your hot chocolate (though, we're never opposed to that!) — is another tea that singers can't go wrong with. Marshmallow root contains a high amount of mucilage, which is a natural lubricant that can help to soothe your throat and keep your vocal cords moist. It also has anti-inflammatory properties that can help to reduce swelling and irritation.
Like licorice root tea, when brewing marshmallow root tea for your vocal cords, use boiling water and steep for at least 5 minutes to get the most benefits.
5. Echinacea Tea — To Make Sure the Understudy Doesn't Get Called Up
Echinacea tea is an immune-boosting tea that can be great for singers who want to prevent illness and maintain the health of their vocal cords. Echinacea contains compounds that have been shown to stimulate the immune system and reduce inflammation. It's also hydrating and can help to keep your vocal cords moist.
Brew like licorice root tea and marshmallow root tea, boiling water and steeping the tea for at least 5 minutes to extract the full flavor and benefits of the herb.
6. Lemon and Honey Tea — The Old School Approach
Lemon and honey tea is a classic remedy for singers because it's a great natural throat soother. Think about all the times you'd have this tea when having a sore throat! Lemon has astringent properties that can help to tighten and cleanse your vocal cords, while honey has antibacterial properties that can help to prevent infection and soothe irritation. This tea is also hydrating and can help to keep your throat moist.
To make lemon and honey tea, squeeze the juice of half a lemon into a mug and add a spoonful of honey. Pour hot water over the mixture and stir until the honey is dissolved. Let it cool slightly before drinking to avoid burning your throat.
7. Peppermint Tea — To Cool it Down
Peppermint tea is a refreshing and invigorating tea that can be great for singers. It contains menthol, which has a cooling effect on your throat and can help to reduce inflammation and soothe irritation. Peppermint tea is also hydrating and can help to keep your vocal cords moist. Others may say peppermint tea is a great relaxer, too.
When brewing peppermint tea, use boiling water and steep for 3-5 minutes before taking your first sip.
8. Throat Coat Tea — To Not Miss a Beat
Throat Coat tea is a popular tea blend specifically designed for singers and other people who use their voice regularly. It contains a combination of herbs, including slippery elm, licorice root, and marshmallow root (a few other teas on this list!) which work together to soothe and protect your throat. Throat Coat tea is also hydrating and can help to keep your vocal cords moist.
When brewing Throat Coat tea, use boiling water and steep for at least 10 minutes (yes, that's a while, but it's worth it!). You can then add honey or lemon to the tea for extra flavor and soothing properties.
9. Ginger Tea — The Best Tea for Singers Overall
While all the teas on this list would be a great choice for singers, ginger tea is our top choice. We believe this is the best tea for singers because it has natural anti-inflammatory properties and can help to soothe your throat. Ginger contains compounds called gingerols and shogaols, which have been shown to reduce inflammation and pain. Ginger tea is also hydrating and can help to keep your vocal cords moist, and it can also ease your nerves before a performance.
To get the most benefits from ginger tea, brew and steep for at least 5 minutes.
When Should Singers Drink Tea?
Singers can drink tea at any time during the day to help maintain the health of their vocal cords. However, there are a few times when drinking tea can be especially beneficial depending on why you're drinking it:
Before rehearsals or performances:
Drinking tea before rehearsals or performances can help to hydrate your vocal cords and reduce inflammation. This can make it easier to sing and reduce the risk of vocal cord damage.
After rehearsals or performances:
Drinking tea after rehearsals or performances can help to soothe your throat and reduce inflammation. This can help to prevent vocal cord damage and keep your voice healthy over time.
Throughout the day:
Drinking tea throughout the day can help to keep your vocal cords moist and healthy. This can be especially important if you spend a lot of time in dry environments or if you talk or sing frequently.
Tips for Brewing and Drinking Tea
In order for singers to get the most benefits from your tea, it's important to brew and drink it properly. This will depend on what type of tea you're drinking, so in addition to the brewing tips above, keep this in mind:
Use the right temperature: Different teas require different water temperatures for optimal brewing. Green tea, for example, should be brewed with water that is around 160-180°F, while herbal teas like chamomile and ginger can be brewed with boiling water.
Steep for the right amount of time: Steeping time can also vary depending on the type of tea. Green tea should be steeped for 1-3 minutes, while herbal teas should be steeped for at least 5 minutes to extract the full flavor and benefits.
Add honey: Honey is a natural sweetener that can help to soothe your throat and reduce inflammation. It's also hydrating and can help to keep your vocal cords moist.
Avoid caffeine and sugar: Caffeine and sugar can be dehydrating and can lead to inflammation and damage to your vocal cords. Try to avoid teas that are high in caffeine or sugar, or at least use them in moderation. (Though, we understand that some singers need a little boost before their show, too!)
And, most importantly — be careful of burns! Drinking tea when it's too hot can cause you to burn your mouth and throat, which can damage your singing voice.
What if I Can't Find Tea?
Tea can do wonders for singers, but to stay hydrated and keep your vocal cords moist, drinking water is one of the best things you can do. If you can't manage to brew a cup of tea backstage, grab your H20.
You can also find a variety of throat options for singers, including lozenges, sprays, and throat-coat teas, at your local health food store or pharmacy. These products are designed to soothe and protect your vocal cords. Singer Brandy also said in an interview with Prevention that Ginger Honey Crystals did the trick, and other famous singers have mentioned drinking tea as part of their routine.
Just make sure to read the labels carefully and choose products made with natural ingredients and free of artificial colors and flavors.
Why Singers Should Drink Tea
There are all sorts of things singers can do to help keep their vocal cords strong and healthy. But, tea is a fast and easy way to do it, while soothing your throat — and, keeping yourself centered in the process!
All this considered, there isn't a specific tea that's truly the best for singers, but choosing one that has the properties you're looking for while being something you can look forward to drinking, can really have an impact on your performance overall.
Are you a singer? What tea helps you the most? Let us know in the comments!