Herbs for Voice Database: Developing a Rational Approach to the Study of Herbal Remedies Used in Voice Care

Abstract

Herbs have been used for voice care since ancient times and many herbal remedies are still in use in every geographical areas and cultures, both as traditional medicine and as sources of botanicals used in commercial products. Many of these plants are used as extracts and other phytopreparates, and a full phytochemical analysis is sometimes incomplete or lacking. The mechanisms of action of these botanicals include antibacterial, antiinflammatory, mucolytic, and other general activities; nevertheless, mechanisms that could be specifically referred to voice are often unknown, as well as the corresponding molecular targets and therefore a rational approach in the use of these remedies is hard to be applied by phoniatricians. To address this problem, we collected information on plants used for voice care from several different geographical areas, using both literature data and a pool of contributors from an international network of artistic phoniatrics and vocologists. The plants have been organized in a database (Herbs for Voice Database) and classified according to the natural compounds contained in them, their molecular targets and the pathologies they are recommended for. This first database contains 44 plants, 101 phytocompounds, and 32 recognized molecular targets. The distribution of herbs and phytocompounds according to the botanical families, their known biological activity, traditional uses, and molecular targets were analyzed. In particular, data analysis shows that the somatosensory and pain receptor Transient Receptor Potential Ankyrin 1 ion channel is targeted by a large number of different phytochemicals contained in the herbs for voice, and could therefore be involved in a mechanism of action common to many plants.

Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) Powder Production and Application in Gluten-Free Bread: Effect of Particle Size

“…K and Ca), quercitin compounds, polyphenols, unsaturated fatty acids, essential amino acids, antioxidants, antimicrobials and few antinutritional compounds (Gemede et al, 2016); consequently, okra is sometimes used for cardiovascular, kidney and cerebral protection as well as antitumoural, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antiulcerous, antibacterial, antidiabetic and anticholesterolemic purposes; okra is also efficient against asthenia and fatigue (Durazzo et al, 2019). Okra is also listed in the "Herbs for Voice Database" as one of the plants traditionally used for voice care, throat affections and respiratory impairments (Calcinoni et al, 2020).…”

Phytochemicals and Inflammation: Is Bitter Better?

“…Moreover, there is a certain ambiguity in some cases so that scientists even concluded, regarding the agonists of certain TRPs, that whether they “promote or inhibit inflammation remains unclear” [ 52 ]. Activation followed by desensitization is a putative mechanism explaining the beneficial effect in inflammatory conditions of herbs containing TRPA1 agonists—TRPA1 was the most frequently reported target of the voice protecting plants, most of which contain natural TRPA1 agonists [ 53 ]. Some plant active principles deemed as pungent in Ayurvedic medicine, such as menthol and eugenol, have a dual activity, stimulating both TRPA1 (proinflammatory effect) and TRPM8 (anti-inflammatory effect) [ 54 , 55 ], thereby adding to the complexity of the inflammation-related effects of pungent phytocompounds.…”

Knowledge, Skill and Attitude (KSA) as Determinants of the Overall Team Performance of a Chorale Group in a Local City College in Angeles City, Philippines

“…Chorale members are also educated that ginger tea prevents itchiness of the larynx making voice out smoothly. Calcinoni et al (2021) stated that, tea and ginger are some of the widely diffused and commonly use for specific activities on voice. Lastly, chorale members are educated that observation of emotions during performing is important.…”