Q&A: Are there natural cough remedies?

Submitted by jrn Sun 01/24/2010

For years, moms and

Submitted by Marsha Newsom on Sun, 01/24/2010 - 21:48.

For years, moms and grandmothers have been dolling out honey and lemon as a natural remedy for coughs. Now there is scientific evidence in support of the treatment. According to Dr. James M. Steckelberg, of the Mayo Clinic ¹, honey proved as effective as the over-the-counter (OTC) cough suppressant dextromethorphan in coughing in children over the age of two. Don't use this remedy on infants as there is a rare, but serious, chance of botulism for children younger than one year old. ²

Next time you or someone in your family is suffering from a cough, try one of these recipes.

Pepper and honey

Add pinch of white or black ground pepper to two teaspoons of honey. Take three or four times a day. The pepper will loosen mucous and clear irritants from your trachea.

Ginger tea

1-2 teaspoons of freshly grated ginger
½ lemon, sliced. Add peel and all
1 garlic clove, crushed
1-2 teaspoons of honey
1 cup water

Bring all ingredients, except honey, to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes. Add honey and drink.

Vinegar Tonic

4 oz. Apple Cider Vinegar
2 tsp. Honey
1 tbl. Lemon Juice

Make a warm “tea” out of mixture. Repeat two or three times a day to clear congestion and calm coughing.

This cold season, avoid potentially dangerous interactions from OTC drugs by using natural remedies for cough and congestion.

References

1. Mayo Clinic
2. Mayo Clinic

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