Homemade Remedies for A Cough

A cough is one of the body's reaction in removing the foreign material or mucus from the lungs and throat. There are generally two classifications of cough. One is productive cough, which produces mucus from the lungs, and the other is nonproductive cough, which is dry and doesn't produce any mucus from the lungs. It can affect the person of all ages. A cough can be acute or chronic, depending on its duration. In scientific terms, a cough is a reflex action, started by stimulation of sensory nerves in the lining of the respiratory passages - the tubes we use to breathe.

According to Bonnie K. McMillen, R.N, B.S.N., from College Health Nurse, University of Pittsburgh at Bradford as taken from Herbally Yours by Penny C. Royal, 3rd Edition, June 1982; the following is the homemade cough syrup recipe:

1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

1/4 teaspoon ground ginger

1 Tablespoon honey

1 Tablespoon apple cider vinegar

2 Tablespoons water Mix and take by the teaspoon.

Actually the recipe does not indicate how much to take. Just take 1 teaspoon of syrup three times a day to relieve cough.

Consider the beneficial effects of the individual ingredients:

Ginger (zingiber officinale) has long been used and recommended for arthritis and bursitis, because it is a natural anti-inflammatory. According to Home Herbal, by Penelope Ody, D.K. Publishing, June 1995, ginger is a natural antihistamine. It has also been used for motion sickness and nausea, and in addition, it is known for relieving chest congestion, according to Dr. Andrew Weil, Herbal Medicine Chest http://cgi.pathfinder.com/drweil/herbal/medchest

Cayenne (capsaicin) reduces pain, according to Herbs for Health and Healing, by Kathi Keville, Rodale Press, Emmaus, PA, 1996. The same substance that makes cayenne peppers hot relieves the pain by suppressing a chemical that carries the pain message from nerves in the affected area to the brain. According to Home Herbal, by P. Ody, cayenne is warming and stimulating, it is a good cold remedy and eases chills and will even ease the lingering pain from shingles.

Vinegar has so many healthful uses.

Honey, according to Home Herbal by P. Ody, will draw pus and poisons out of wounds and it is useful for relief from colds.

Water is probably added to make it less strong tasting but it is still strong!

Please pay attention if cough persisting more than a week, accompanied by headache or fever, and any cough which is productive of thick yellow or green mucous should be evaluated by a physician. One precaution regarding to the honey: DO NOT give honey to children under 1 year of age unless it is pasteurized or boiled for five minutes. It is not recommended to give this mixture to a young child anyway, because the taste is too strong, and a child with a cough should be seen by a pediatrician.