ALL ABOUT ALLERGIES...

Allergies, UGH! Can be such a bummer because they affect our everyday sense of well being, productivity and for singers they can have a negative effect on our singing voice.

Unfortunately, Nashville is one of the worst cities for allergies and I recently learned why! Did you know that the biggest industry in Nashville is Bible Printing??

I always assumed it was music! And the pollution from the presses seems to be a culprit for allergens. In addition, a lot of the plants/trees here in our beautiful parks have been imported from other regions. Since they are not native to this region, this creates additional pollens and allergens.
But don't you worry! I have compiled some tips and remedies to help you get back on path to wellness and singing with ease!

How to deal with Allergies...

Allergies briefly explained

Well, first it's important to understand that allergies affect our singing voice because the allergens create excess mucous.
This starts in our nasal cavities. (see the pretty picture) Then it drips down our throats and onto our vocal cords. Yuck, I know....
Also the allergens can also create swelling or irritation of the vocal cords.
This is detrimental to singing for a few reasons.

•  It gives us the urge to cough which further irritates our cords
•  The excess mucous, swelling, irritation affects the functioning of our vocal cords and this makes it more difficult to sing
•  Sometimes the allergens can also give us a sore throat
•  Clogged Nasal passages affect resonation our sense of connection to our sound.

What to Do!
If your allergies are constant and not just seasonal? It might be important to see a Dr. and figure out the causes - sometimes it can be food or environmental (mold, dust, etc)

Keep the Sinuses Clear
Use a Netti Pot. This runs a gentle saline solution through your sinus passageways and clears out the excess mucous. It's a simple miracle cure.

Herbal Remedies

•  Quercetin
•  Nettles
•  Bronchial Soothe (for coughing)

Homeopathic Remedies

•  Sinusalia by Boiron to help with congestion
•  Sabadil by Boiron to help with all allergy symptoms
•  Roxalia by Boiron to help with a sore throat

(Assess your worst symptom and start with one homeopathic remedy at a time!)

Go To Pollen.com. Enter your zip code. The site will tell you what specific pollens are active on that day. Use this site to figure out what allergens are most active on the days that you are most irritated. Then you can find the specific homeopathic remedy for that particular allergen.

Often the homeopathic remedies are categorized into specific areas: grasses, trees, etc.
Just ask at Whole Foods/ Whole Body which remedy is best for your particular irritant
Everyone is different! So it might take a few trys to figure out what works best for you! Be patient. The relief will be worth it, once you figure it out.

Simple Tricks for excess phlegm

•  Gargling gently with warm salt water can help balance excess phlegm.
•  Lemon can also help to balance phlegm on the cords. But Use a little bit Sparingly in a glass of Water. Use caution with lemon because too much will make you too dry.
•  Vocalizing gently helps to clear the cords.
•  Cardio exercise or Yoga helps to loosen mucous & alleviate symptoms

Allergies can lower your immunity

•  Take Vitamin C to raise your immune system
•  You can also try a Mushroom Complex (comes in a pill form)
•  Bee Pollen

LOCAL Honey (preferably Raw)

•  Local Honey contains local pollens - it might seem counterintuitive but....
•  It will raise your bodys immunity to the local pollens.
•  Some Honeys will list that they contain traces of a particular local vegetation ie: red clover. In some cases, that might be a match for your particular allergen. If so? Opt for that type of honey. Generally a Tablespoon each morning is best. You are ok to take a few teaspoons throughout the day too.
•  Also, honey is a natural lubricant and very soothing for the voice.
• All of these products are available at Whole Foods/Whole Body.

A Note about coughing
When we cough it essentially creates an action that slams the vocal cords together. Remember they are very delicate. Excess coughing is very irritating and excess can even be damaging. If you must, do not hack loud so that you feel it in your throat. Try to cough lightly - Puff a little bit of air through the cords out of an open mouth or through the nose and swallow. That will help to redistribute the phlegm & offer some relief from that need to hack out loud.

Bronchial Soothe will help alleviate coughing immediately and also help you to expectorate gently.

Try to Avoid Using

•  Nasal cleanse drops [These will drain the mucous right onto your cords]
•  Nasal Sprays / Prescription and most OTC drugs / Mucine [These will make your cords way too dry and make it difficult to sing]
•  If you MUST take a presciption or OTC remedy

I have found that regular original, nothing fancy Claritin is the least drying
I recommend trying remedies one at a time and see what works for you. Also, please know that this information is intended as helpful advice and is not intended to replace the advice of a trained health care professional

A huge part of this process is about connecting with your body and that helps you to get to know your unique voice! That's the fun part :)

Let me know how it goes! Drop a line back if you have any additional questions and I wish you all the best on your path to wellness and vocal health.