Broadcasting goes far beyond the radio interviews we used to know. Today we have various other formats that people use to share their trade. Using their voices to enrich our lives are gamers, bloggers, bloggers, and influencers. What is the best tea for broadcasters? What tea will keep their voices in check so they can keep bringing us the news we need to hear? What helps keep a broadcaster’s voice pliable, warm, and toned?
Things to consider if you are a broadcaster
Not only is the voice of the broadcaster important because they bring us the information we want to hear. We tune into their channels every day so they can bring us our daily dose of …whatever!
Broadcasters are not the ones that need to be concerned with their voice, we all do. I work in a profession where I need my voice, sometimes I need my voice to be loud and commanding. Other times I need my voice to be normal, asking questions and filling in blanks. One scratchy sore throat and my day is not off to a good start.
Today we focus on the best tea for broadcasters and their voices. What works for them and what does not.
Imagine turning to your favorite youtube channel or radio station only to hear a distressed or strained voice. It’s not pleasant to listen to. Even more unpleasant to endure.
While most days are a breeze there will be those days your voice is not up to par. Before you toss some medicated toxic drop into your mouth. Consider some other options to soothe and heal that throat.
As a tea influencer, I cannot begin to tell you the healing benefits of tea. Add some herbs or an herb alone (tisane) and you have a powerhouse of healing in a cup.
There are also times when your voice may need a rest and there is nothing wrong with that. Our bodies are machines that if overworked or stressed will react and will let us know.
Like a yoga instructor or bodybuilder does a warm-up before plowing into their routine. All broadcasters should be using voice exercises to warm up the vocal cords. If you don’t know about voice exercises here is a LINK to go over some to wake up those vocal cords to keep them healthy.
No matter how hard we try our best attempts sometimes fail. We will need to give our throat and voice some attention.
Why Tea?
Broadcasting is a rewarding yet demanding profession. Whether you are on air at a top radio station. Or you use your days off to yell at a computer screen while playing the next version of World of Warcraft. You share your views, interview people and share products with the world. Even at an amateur base, you use your voice a lot.
Hot teas and herbs are hands down the absolute best products for healing a strained voice. The best tea for broadcasters will tell you (just like singers) is very similar.
The power of a warm cup of tea.. Take the soothing properties of tea. Add the almost meditative warmth of breathing in the scent. Heat up a cup of tea and your healing is already on its way.
My sons are both gamers and I know how stressed out their voices become. After playing hundreds of games (I exaggerate, maybe). They yell, scream, enhance their voice to make game playing a better experience for those that are listening. Their voices get stressed and the first thing they go for is a cup of warm tea. Their favorite? Peppermint. While not a tea it’s an herb that we will discuss further below.
The six best teas for broadcasters
Earl Grey Tea
Most of the broadcasters I knew proclaimed a nice cup of warm tea helps soothe their throats. One tea stood out and it was Earl Grey. While Earl Grey comes in many different varieties that did not seem to matter. The ingredient in earl grey that stands out is that of the oil of bergamot. Earl Grey tea calms and soothes the throat. It gives it a super coating that helps the broadcaster talk for hours on end, day after day.
Peppermint
Peppermint in any form is a soothing remedy for your throat. Peppermint also helps nasal and chest related congestion. Put that peppermint into a cup of tea and you have a warm drink that is soothing and an expectorant. Peppermint opens up the nasal passages. If you happen to have a cough or congestion Peppermint also helps relieve both.
Ginger
Ginger is the root of a plant. In Chinese medicine, ginger is used to cure colds and chills It’s considered one of the warming plants. It adds warmth to the throat and vocal cowards. Ginger adds that little bit of spice to it that will help clear out any mucus or phlegm. Some people say ginger warms their whole body when they drink it.
Avoid ginger if you have peptic ulcers
Cinnamon
Cinnamon has a sweet soft flavor that is also a warming ingredient. Cinnamon is a spice that warms the body. Cinnamon is used as an infusion in your tea to bring warmth and soothe a cold or sore throat. One great way to add cinnamon to your tea is to use a cinnamon stick. Cinnamon is also an antiseptic and helps to fight bacteria and viruses.
Cloves
Clove is another spice that is warming antiseptic and anesthetic. Clove is a frequent spice used to make chai tea. Most chai teas use milk so would not be advised for broadcasters but clove can be added to most teas with no problem. Combining clove with orange, hibiscus would make a great combination.
Lavender
Lavender is a calming herb. Lavender is also used as a fragrance. Lavender tea is used as a mouthwash or gargle to help soothe a sore throat and calm laryngitis. Lavender has antiseptic properties as well to fight infection.
My Number One Throat Tea
My go-to tea when I’m doing a video or Vlog is hands down by far one the best combinations of the best tea for broadcasters. It has all the benefits of warming, soothing, calming, antiseptic,
Ginger, lemon and a touch of honey added to my favorite black or green tea
Above I mention the top 6 teas to help support the throat and vocal cords of a broadcaster. Below I mention a few more. While not on my top six list they are worthy of a mention, and a try.
- Bilberry
- Elder
- Marshmallow
- Thyme
- Goldenseal
- Echinacea
Cautions
I wanted to list a few precautions to consider when consuming a beverage to help soothe your throat.
Avoid milk and milk products
Some of us like to put milk in our tea and that is fine as long as we are not trying to save our broadcasting voice. Milk may cause the phlegm that is already in your throat to become larger and more irritating. So avoid milk and milk products (like chocolate, puddings, yogurt, etc.). Especially avoid these products if you have a cold or flu as it can make the condition worse. By creating more phlegm it can also affect how your voice sounds and its effectiveness
Avoid caffeinated beverages
Caffeine can cause the throat to dehydrate leaving the throat dry. Having a dry throat can make your voice sound scratchy and your throat uncomfortable. Caffeine also causes muscles to contract which can lead to spasms.
Very hot and very cold drinks
It makes sense that these types of drinks will shock your system. While not a permanent condition may affect your broadcasting and speaking voice.
Smoking and vaping
I would think this would go without saying. Back in the mad men days, everyone smoked. Until we realized the dangers and addictiveness of smoking. Many radio broadcasters smoked, it was the thing. Entering the smoke-filled broadcasting booth. Being interviewed by the likes of a celebrity like Don Imus. Don, well known for his scratchy voice and smoke-filled booths.
Alcohol
Again, it should go without saying but just in case you need a reminder. Don’t drink before going live on the air. Alcohol also dehydrates and causes your vocal cords to constrict.
Conclusion
It’s amazing the properties of a plant or plants that can heal our bodies. I am amazed at what our earth provides for us. Many of the herbs and plants listed today have many purposes. I am very thankful that my throat, lungs, chest, and voice have a friend in a cup of tea. A warm cup of your favorite tea becomes the best tea for broadcasters, for you.
While there is no doubt tea soothes and can heal a scratchy sore throat precautions must be taken. If a sore throat continues any length of time it’s best to see a physician just to make sure. Your voice is valuable not just as a broadcaster but in everyday life.
