Throat Coat tea?

[BackBayGirl]

Has anyone heard of Throat Coat tea? What is it exactly? Does it work? Are there any shops around here that carry it?

[Science Chick]

It's widely available, at any place that carries "Traditional Medicinal" Brand teas (including "Gypsy Cold Care", etc). Whole Foods certainly has it. The active ingredient is slippery elm, which coats your throat and makes it feel less sore. I used to drink it when I was singing alot, which of course is a stupid thing to do, b/c it doesn't let you as easily feel when things hurt and when you should be resting your voice. It is a very pleasant tea, with some licorice and spicey notes added for flavor (not sure what plain slippery elm would taste like!).

Here's a wikipedia page on it. Apparently, it contains a mucilage, which explains the soothing effect on the throat:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ulmus_rubra

[kattyeyes]

I swear by it. It's definitely something you should pick up if you have a sore throat.

I had horrible bronchitis years ago and was turned onto this tea by a local coffee shop. They double-bagged me a tea--one Throat Coat and one Breathe Easy (IIRC). There's one for coughs, too (ends in tussin?). Choose your weapon and drink up! They're the kind of teas you won't appreciate flavor-wise unless you're really hurtin' (think of Fisherman's Friend lozenges, but in tea form), but trust me, when you are sick, this is the stuff! I've been recommending these ever since I got religion on 'em in the 90s.

[BackBayGirl]

Thanks! I will go to Whole Foods at lunchtime or maybe Harvest Coop as that's closer and I'm guessing they'd have it. I am a singer actually and someone recommended it to me because I have to sing tonight and my throat is sore & I'm coughing a little. He said honey and lemon added to it would help a ton too. I'd never heard of it though and wondered where you could get it or if coffee/tea shops sold it.

[kattyeyes]

Look for the coughing one (Herba-Tussin), too, then and double-bag your way to feeling better. Good luck tonight!

[BackBayGirl]

Will do! Thanks!!!

[Science Chick]

Happy to help out a fellow singer.....just beware my warning about it working *TOO* well. You don't want to blow out your voice.......Good luck!

[BackBayGirl]

I won't blow it out. My teacher has techniques to make sure that I sing healthily. I never sing in a way that would hurt me.

[sablemerle]

I just saw it yesterday at the Stop and Shop in Arlington. It was in the health food/organic food section.

[Bob Dobalina]

Yeah, it's darn near everywhere.

[food_lubber]

You can find it at any GNC as well...and, trust me, it sure does work well!

[Klunco]

If you want a hot cup of it, or want to buy a bunch of loose leaf "throat coat" check out any of the Tealuxe locations. Great tea for this time of year.

[BackBayGirl]

Thanks! I didn't realize Tealuxe had it.