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The Tea That Opened My Student's Airways (And Why I Keep It in My Studio)

Mary Laymon
September 10, 2026
8 min read
Mary Laymon helping a voice student with respiratory support and vocal health

The Tea That Opened My Student's Airways (And Why I Keep It in My Studio)

SEO Title: Organo Red Tea for Singers | Respiratory Support for Voice Students Meta Description: A Minneapolis voice teacher shares how Organo Red Tea with Cordyceps helped a student with asthma breathe well enough to sing. Research-backed benefits for respiratory health. Category: Vocal Health Read Time: 8 minutes Date: September 10, 2026


I wasn't expecting a teachable moment that day.

My student—I'll call her Sarah—walked into her lesson struggling to breathe. She has asthma, and it was flaring up. Coughing. Congested. Airways tight. The kind of breathing that makes singing impossible.

I could have rescheduled. Sent her home. Told her to come back when she was feeling better.

Instead, I made her a cup of tea.

Not just any tea. Organo Red Tea with Cordyceps and Reishi mushrooms.

Within minutes, something changed. Her breathing eased. Her airways opened. The congestion cleared enough that we could proceed with the lesson.

That moment convinced me to always keep this tea in my studio. And it's why I'm writing about it now.

What Actually Happened

Let me be specific about what I observed.

Sarah arrived at 2 PM for her scheduled lesson. She was coughing frequently, unable to take a full breath without feeling restricted. Her speaking voice was strained. When I asked her to try a simple vocal exercise, she couldn't sustain a note for more than a few seconds.

I knew we weren't going to be able to work on her repertoire like that.

I made her a cup of Organo Red Tea—I keep it in my studio kitchen. We sat down, and I told her to just breathe and sip. No singing. No talking. Just rest.

We waited maybe five minutes. Not long.

And gradually, I watched her breathing change. The coughing subsided. She took a deeper breath without strain. The tightness in her chest seemed to ease.

"I feel like I can breathe again," she said.

We proceeded with the lesson. Not a full-intensity lesson—I wasn't going to push her—but she could sing. Her airways were open enough to support her voice.

That was about a year ago. Since then, I've seen similar results with other students dealing with congestion, seasonal allergies, or breathing difficulties.

Why It Worked: The Science Behind Cordyceps

I'm a voice teacher, not a scientist. But after that experience, I wanted to understand what happened.

Here's what I learned about Cordyceps, one of the key ingredients in Organo Red Tea:

Traditional Use: Cordyceps has been used in Chinese medicine for over 2,000 years to "soothe the lung, stop bleeding, and eliminate phlegm." It was traditionally prescribed for respiratory issues, asthma, and bronchial inflammation.

Modern Research: Studies show Cordyceps can improve oxygen utilization and respiratory function. Research published in medical journals demonstrates that Cordyceps supplementation increases VO2 max (the body's ability to use oxygen) and improves ventilatory threshold.

In one study, participants who took Cordyceps for six weeks saw their VO2 max increase from 1.88 to 2.00 L/min. That's significant.

What This Means for Singers: Better oxygen utilization means better breath support. Opening airways means easier breathing. Reduced inflammation means less congestion.

For Sarah, it meant the difference between canceling her lesson and being able to sing.

The Other Ingredients That Help

Organo Red Tea isn't just Cordyceps. It's a combination of ingredients that work together:

Reishi Mushroom (Ganoderma lucidum): Known as the "mushroom of immortality," Reishi has been used for over 2,000 years to support immune function. Studies show it can increase white blood cell count and help the body's immune system respond more effectively.

For singers, this matters. When you're teaching lessons all day, performing regularly, or preparing for important events, you can't afford to get sick.

I drink this tea throughout Minnesota winters specifically for immune support.

Theanine: An amino acid that promotes calmness without drowsiness. It supports dopamine production, which brings a sense of calm focus.

This is helpful for performance anxiety, yes. But it's also just helpful for staying centered during long teaching days or extended practice sessions.

Polyphenols: Natural antioxidants that fight oxidative stress. They support immune health, cardiovascular health, and overall wellness.

Red Tea Base (Black Tea): Provides gentle, sustained caffeine for energy. Unlike coffee, which can spike and crash, red tea offers a steadier boost.

What I Tell Students Who Ask About It

After that experience with Sarah, other students started asking about the tea.

Here's what I tell them:

This is not medical treatment. If you have asthma, respiratory issues, or any medical condition, you need proper medical care. Don't skip your prescribed medications. Don't ignore symptoms that need attention.

This is complementary support. The tea doesn't replace your inhaler. It doesn't replace rest when your voice is tired. It doesn't replace good breathing technique.

But as something that supports respiratory function and overall wellness? I've seen it help.

It's not magic. You won't drink it once and suddenly be able to sing like a professional. That's not how it works.

What it does is support your body's natural functions—opening airways, supporting oxygen use, maintaining immune health.

Results may vary. What Sarah experienced might not be exactly what you experience. Bodies are different. Conditions are different.

But I keep it in my studio because I've seen it help enough times to trust it.

How I Use It in My Studio

I keep a box of Organo Red Tea in my studio kitchen, right next to my regular tea collection.

When I offer it to students:

  • When someone arrives congested or struggling with breathing
  • During cold and flu season when voices are compromised
  • When a student is fighting off illness but still wants to try the lesson
  • When someone's airways seem tight from allergies or environmental factors

When I drink it myself:

  • Every morning during Minnesota winters (immune support)
  • Before long teaching days (energy and respiratory support)
  • When I feel like I'm getting run down (preventative care)
  • When the air is particularly dry (soothing)

How to prepare it: Place the tea sachet in a cup. Pour hot water (not boiling—let it cool for 2-3 minutes to about 140-185°F). Steep for 3-5 minutes. You can add honey, lemon, or ginger if you like.

I usually drink it plain. It has a smooth, slightly earthy taste that I find pleasant.

What This Isn't

Let me be clear about what I'm not claiming:

❌ This tea does not cure asthma or any respiratory disease ❌ This tea is not a replacement for medical treatment ❌ This tea will not instantly make you a better singer ❌ This tea is not essential for vocal health

Good technique, proper rest, hydration, and healthy habits matter more than any product.

What This Is

✅ A tea with ingredients shown to support respiratory function ✅ Something I've personally seen help students with breathing issues ✅ A product I use myself and keep in my professional studio ✅ A complement to good vocal health practices ✅ A tool that may help support your airways and immune system

Why I'm Sharing This

I teach voice lessons. That's my profession.

I'm not a tea salesperson. I'm not paid to promote Organo products. I genuinely discovered this tea years ago, found it helpful, and now I'm sharing that experience because it might help other singers.

The research on Cordyceps and respiratory function is compelling. The traditional use over thousands of years is interesting. But what convinced me was watching my student go from unable to breathe properly to able to sing.

That's evidence I can't ignore.

Where to Find It

You can find Organo Red Tea on Amazon. It comes in boxes of 25 sachets—each sachet makes one cup.

I usually buy 2-3 boxes at a time so I don't run out during winter.

[Find Organo Red Tea on Amazon →]

Note: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. I only recommend products I genuinely use and believe in.

A Note About Breathing

Here's something I tell every student, regardless of what products they use:

Breathing is the foundation of singing. If you can't breathe properly, you can't sing properly.

No tea, no supplement, no product will replace proper breathing technique. That comes from practice, instruction, and understanding how your body works.

But if you're dealing with congestion, tight airways, or respiratory challenges that make it hard to access your breath? Addressing that matters.

For Sarah, that moment in my studio was about more than just tea. It was about being able to breathe freely again. And when you can breathe, you can sing.

Try It Yourself

If you struggle with:

  • Seasonal congestion that affects your singing
  • Airways that feel tight or restricted
  • Frequent respiratory issues during cold season
  • Need for immune support during performance season
  • Energy crashes during long practice or teaching days

Consider trying Organo Red Tea.

Start with one box. Steep it properly. Give it a few days to see if you notice a difference.

Some people notice effects immediately, like Sarah did. Others notice more gradual changes—better energy, fewer colds, easier breathing over time.

Either way, you'll know if it's helping.

[Get Organo Red Tea on Amazon →]

In My Studio, Always

I've taught voice for 36 years in Minneapolis. I've tried a lot of products that claimed to help singers.

Most don't live up to the hype.

This one does.

It sits on my shelf next to my lesson materials, my metronome, and my throat coat tea. It's part of my studio toolkit now.

Not because it's a miracle cure. But because I've seen it help when breathing matters most.

And for singers, breathing always matters.


Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Organo Red Tea is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. If you have asthma, respiratory issues, or any medical condition, consult your healthcare provider. Never discontinue prescribed medications without medical supervision.


Related Articles:

Organo Red TeaCordycepsrespiratory healthbreathing for singersasthmavocal health tea

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Mary Laymon

About Mary Laymon

Mary Laymon is a soprano and voice teacher based in Minneapolis with over 36 years of experience helping singers discover their most authentic sound. She specializes in healthy vocal technique and works with students of all ages and skill levels.

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