Hello dear friends!

I noticed the other day, as I was talking on the phone with a client, just how often I felt the urge to cough, clear my throat, or sniffle. Needless to say, when you’re trying to be professional and clear on a phone call, making those kinds of annoying sounds isn’t ideal. So, it got me thinking about writing this blog. Because how many of us talk about ways to naturally care for our throats?

I don’t know about you, but late summer/early autumn tends to be a particularly rough month for my sinuses. Something about the dry, windy weather, decaying plant matter, wildfires, and increase in germs flying around makes my throat scratchy and my nose stuffy. Not so fun! This is always the season that I have to remind myself of the remedies and tips that I know, so I can take good care of my body.

Back when I was in high school and early college, I did a lot of singing. I was in several choirs, and did theatre as well. These experiences definitely drilled in the importance of throat care, because it makes a huge difference in how my voice feels and sounds! But whether you’re a singer/speaker or not, it’s a great idea to learn proper throat care, so you can feel your best all year round.

Our throats are particularly susceptible to allergens, bacteria, and other ickies, and this can make you not only sound funny, but can make you feel downright miserable. Sore throats are seriously no fun, when every swallow hurts, and you’re stuck eating (drinking?) only liquid foods until it goes away.

So, without rambling on any further, let’s jump into it.

Here are my tips for giving your throat the TLC it deserves:

1. Halt the ice water

You probably know someone who drinks ice water all year round, without fail. Maybe that’s you. But, while ice water can feel nice if you’re hot, it’s actually not so great for your throat and vocal cords. Your throat and sinuses are made up of very sensitive tissue, and when they are exposed to really cold water, they tighten up. This can lead to strain, reduced vocal range, squeaking, and lots of other unpleasant things.

Instead, reach for warm water and/or tea. Room temperature water, if you must. The warmth will relax your muscles and tissues, expand your vocal range, and keep the area open and lubricated.

Ayurvedic medicine also recommends room temp or warm water, as it eases digestion. Traditional Chinese Medicine echoes this, as we move into yin season.

2. Try honey and lemon

It’s a remedy as old as time itself- in a glass of hot water, put several slices of lemon and a spoonful of raw honey, mix it up, and sip it down. Both honey and lemon are natural antibiotics, and together, they can soothe a sore throat and prevent infection from taking hold. If you feel like you’re actually coming down with something, I recommend crushing up a clove of raw garlic and adding that in too!

Honey lemon “tea” is perfect to sip throughout the day, especially before you have to speak/sing. Honey coats the throat, making it less irritable, and lemon is an astringent. There’s a reason this is used by so many people- because it works!

3. Cut the caffeine and alcohol

If you’ve got a serious coffee or booze habit, you’re probably putting unnecessary strain on your throat and sinuses (and the rest of your body, too!). Both of these substances are dehydrating, drawing moisture out of your tissues, which can lead to tightness, strain, and the loss of elasticity and range of motion. Alcohol particularly is irritating to the mucosal membranes, so definitely avoid it if you are planning to do a lot of talking or singing, and/or when you feel under the weather.

For those who seem to always be clearing their throats, try switching to decaf coffee or herbal tea. (see tip #5 too) And perhaps limit alcohol intake to once per week or so.

4. Reach for herbs

There are so many wonderful herbs that we can use for seasonal health, and several that work particularly well for throat and sinus issues. Chamomile is soothing for sensitive skin, including the tissues of the airway. Marshmallow is a mucilaginous herb, meaning it helps coat and lubricate the throat, along with Slippery elm. Peppermint is stimulating for circulation and tissue healing, and it also helps open the airway, thanks to its menthol content. Fenugreek has many antimicrobial properties, and can settle digestion too, which can affect the throat.

I always recommend taking these herbs in hot tea form, particularly for throat and sinus health. You can combine the dried herbs yourself in a tea strainer, buy pre-made blends from Traditional Medicinals, or schedule your herbal consult session for a personalized blend!

5. Ditch the dairy

While dairy itself isn’t necessarily a problematic food for some people, it is important to think about when considering throat care. For me, when I eat most kinds of dairy, particularly cow’s milk, within about 20 minutes, my sinuses are full of mucous. I’m clearing my throat, my nose is stuffed up, and my whole head feels heavy. Ick. This is definitely not something you want to experience when you need your voice to sound good…or just to feel good in general!

Many people are sensitive to dairy and don’t even know it. I recommend doing a “cleanse” of sorts, and completely eliminating dairy for 14 days. Then, slowly add back in one type of dairy at a time, to see how your body reacts. Thankfully, there are tons of wonderful non-dairy options nowadays, from ice cream to cream cheese. Shoutout to Trader Joe’s for their vegan mini ice cream cones!

6. Increase humidity

For those of us living in really dry climates, like here in Colorado, everything can feel extra tight and parched. You may have sensed a theme in this blog already, and that is hydration! The right amount of moisture is essential for having a healthy throat and sinuses, and sometimes that means supplementing. Consider installing a humidifier in your home, either a whole-house one that’s attached to your central air, or a portable room one. Bonus if you get a diffuser that can be used with essential oils!

Also, drink more clean, filtered water (not iced!) throughout the day. If you need an extra humidity boost, try a facial steam: fill a large bowl with steaming hot water and hold your face over it for 10-15 minutes, surrounded by a towel. You can also add aromatherapy with lavender, chamomile, peppermint, and/or eucalyptus oil in the water (just go easy with these, to avoid irritation of the eyes and nose).

7. Balance the throat chakra

This blog wouldn’t be complete without addressing the energetic aspects of our health. The throat chakra is a major energy center, and can easily become blocked or strained. This chakra, the fifth chakra, is associated with communication, personal boundaries, and speaking our truth. There are many different exercises you can do to work with this chakra, as well as crystals and essential oils to bring it into balance.

If you struggle with chronic throat problems, you may benefit from adding Reiki sessions to your current therapies. Sometimes, emotional, mental, or spiritual trauma can manifest itself as physical illnesses or strain, particularly in this chakra!

Even if you have no intention of ever singing or speaking in front of a crowd, you can benefit from taking good care of your throat, vocal cords, and sinuses.

So friends, what are you go-to throat remedies? Share in the comments below!

And in the meantime…

~ Take care and be well ~

Tips For Natural Throat Care