Healthy Homemade Cough Syrup

Interestingly enough a cough is not always a bad thing.  An annoying thing maybe?  Coughing is one of the body’s defense mechanisms and is meant to expel foreign particles from the body.  Coughing is a natural reflex of the body.  That said, if we let a cough go too far when we get the common cold or flu then it can end up in infection and no one wants that.  I am excited to present this healthy homemade cough syrup that actually works!

Here are the ingredients from a name-brand over-the-counter cough syrup…

Active Ingredients (in Each 5 ml Tsp): Dextromethorphan HBr USP (10 mg), Guaifenesin, USP (200 mg). Inactive Ingredients: Anhydrous Citric Acid, Artificial & Natural Flavors, Carboxymethylcellulose Sodium, D&C Red 33, FD&C Red 40, Glycerin, High Fructose Corn Syrup, Menthol, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Polyethylene Glycol, Povidone, Propylene Glycol, Purified Water, Saccharin Sodium, Sodium Benzoate, Sorbitol Solution, Xanthan Gum.

I have children in my family who are allergic to gluten, food dyes, and a whole host of other foods!  Many over-the-counter medications are not an option for us.  We prefer to use natural alternatives.

Healthy Homemade Cough Syrup

Ingredients 

1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemons (usually 2) or 2 drops of Lemon essential oil

1/4 cup raw honey

1/2 tsp. sea salt

4 TBS. raw apple cider vinegar

1 drop of Thyme essential oil

DIRECTIONS

1. Combine all ingredients in a glass canning jar and mix well.  Store in the refrigerator for one week.
2.  *CAUTION  This recipe includes raw honey which is not recommended for children under 1 year of age.
3. Take 1 TBS. as needed.

Here is another tip to prevent a cough from going into an infection like bronchitis or pneumonia.  Turn on the humidifier at the first sign of a cough and the moisture will help prevent a cough from getting dry and tight.  Another idea…take a hot shower or cover your head with a towel and hang it over a bowl of hot water.  Breathing in moisture loosens up a cough.

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YOUR TURN…

How do you treat a cough?

Blessings,

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*These statements have not been approved by the Food and Drug Administration. Essential Oils are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease. Pregnant or lactating women and persons with known medical conditions should consult a physician prior to the use of any essential oil.