Over-the-counter cough suppressants can be costly and can cause an array of undesirable side effects. You can opt for a safer, more natural home cough remedy with a mixture of oil, lemon and honey. This simple home remedy can be easily adapted to meet your individual needs and tastes. As with trying any home remedy, you should consult your physician first.
Ingredients
To make a home cough remedy, mix equal parts of lemon juice, honey and castor oil. Adults should take 1 tbsp. each day, and children over 2 years of age may take 1 tsp. per day. For a more palatable option, you may wish to omit the castor oil and instead boil one lemon and squeeze the juice into one cup of honey and mix thoroughly. Adults and children may take 1 to 2 tbsp. of this alternative mixture at bedtime or as needed.
Lemon
Lemons contain over 80 percent of the recommended daily intake of vitamin C, which has been shown to boost the immune system, increasing white blood cell counts to fight off viruses and infections. Lemon juice has also been shown to decrease the toxicity of a virus in your body.
Honey
A study published in December 2007 in the "Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine" found that children who took a small dose of buckwheat honey before bedtime slept better and coughed less than children who received either a common store-bought cough suppressant or nothing at all. Dr. Ian Paul, a researcher at Penn State College of Medicine, notes that darker honey contains more antioxidants than lighter honey, making it a more effective choice for addressing coughs and the common cold. You should note that honey should not be given to infants under 1 year of age. Consult your physician before trying this home remedy for small children.
Castor Oil
Castor oil is a vegetable oil derived from the castor bean and may be clear or pale in appearance. It has mild or little to no taste. This oil is used in combination with a number of traditional and holistic medicinal practices. The thick, fatty consistency is thought to coat and soothe the throat. Castor oil is also used as a laxative in many instances and can produce painful cramps, diarrhea and involuntary bowel movements. To avoid these side effects, substitute vegetable oil in your remedy or omit the oil altogether.
References
- "Amish Folk Medicine: Home Remedies Using Foods, Herbs and Vitamins"; Patrick Quillin, PhD., RD., 1995
- Healthy Menu Mailer: Lemon Juice as a Cold Remedy
- ABC News/Health: Honey Treats Coughs Better Than Drugs; Dec. 3, 2007
- "Ingredient List A-C"; U.S. Food and Drug Administration; 2006
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