Natural effective Homemade Cough Syrup

Natural is always better when it comes to your health and no better an example of this is cough syrup.

The first sign of throat irritation should not have you running to the pharmacy. Next time you find yourself in the cough and cold isle, try reading the ingredients of a cough syrup bottle. Bet you can’t pronounce 90% of the list.
The chemicals found in most over the counter sore throat remedies can be dangerous and have common alarming side effects like skin rashes, vomiting and hallucinations. A recent study found that dextromethorphan and diphenhydramine (the two so called active chemicals in cough syrups) showed the same effectiveness in treating coughs as placebo ingredients.

Why risk your health for no real solution?

The best sources for effective treatment of a dry or productive cough can be found right in your kitchen. Dry coughs are generally the result of airborne irritants whereas a productive and phlegmy cough is most likely a symptom of a bacterial infection in the throat or chest.

Here are 3 natural ingredients that when combined make an excellent, healthy and safe remedy for the both a dry or productive cough:

1. Raw Honey

When exposed to the high heat process of pasteurization, honey loses most of its nutritional benefits, so raw honey is your best bet when using this natural sweetener and should be your first choice wherever possible.
With antioxidants and antimicrobial properties, raw honey is a great remedy for both dry and productive coughs, killing the bacteria that causes infection as well as calms and soothes dry membranes in the throat.

Raw honey is excellent to treat coughs in both children and adults however should never be fed to infants 2 years or younger due to the risk of botulism.

2. Ginger

This spicy root herb makes an excellent expectorant, helping to loosen and expel excess mucus from the lungs. The medicinal properties of ginger like its essential oils, antioxidants and oleoresin are known to suppress coughing and relax irritated cells in the throat and lungs.
The antiseptic properties of ginger reduce the potency of bacteria and deter the spread of infection. Apart from the benefits of ingesting this root, breathing the vapors from freshly grated and steeped ginger tea can cleanse the lungs and sinuses.

3. Citrus

The acidity of citrus fruits like lemon and lime can be irritating to a cough on their own, but when combined with honey and ginger, work wonders on a cough. It’s no secret that vitamin C is a powerhouse against bacteria, and oranges, limes and lemons are bursting with this essential vitamin.

Directions:

In a glass mason jar simply combine one cup of raw honey, your choice of 1 squeezed lemon, 2 limes or orange fruit (I like to add 1/4 of the rind as well) and a heaping tablespoon of freshly grated ginger. Mix the ingredients together and the honey will slowly pull liquid from both the ginger and citrus to build a consistency that can be easily spooned and swallowed. Add it to a brewed tea for extra an extra soothing feeling.

Sources:

http://www.besthealthmag.ca/get-healthy/home-remedies/3-homemade-cough-syrups
http://everydayroots.com/cough-remedies
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