It's cold season. What to do if a cough is interfering with your life? There are proven and scientifically backed solutions. And many of them are quite tasty. We will tell you about 7 products and drinks that can help relieve a cough, and you won't need any medications.
Honey
If your grandmother advises you to eat a spoonful of honey when you have a cough, it's worth listening to her recommendations — science confirms it. Honey has a soothing and coating effect, reducing throat irritation. According to the British Medical Journal, it alleviates dry cough even better than many over-the-counter syrups.
Children suffering from nighttime cough were given one and a half teaspoons of honey half an hour before bedtime. Unlike the group receiving a placebo, they indeed showed improvement, and their cough significantly subsided. However, remember that honey should not be given to children under one year old, and it can cause allergic reactions.
It is recommended to consume a spoonful of honey before meals. It can be added to drinks — herbal teas, berry juices, or simply stirred into warm water.
How to prepare. Try honey with thyme or sage. Fill a sterilized jar halfway with fresh herbs or one-third with dried ones. Pour in honey, close the lid, and let it steep in a dry, cool place for at least a week. Then slightly warm the contents of the jar in a saucepan and strain through a sieve. Take 1-2 spoons for cough relief.
Chicken Broth
Being sick without a cup of chicken broth is long and boring. All Jewish grandmothers know this, as clear chicken broth is called “Jewish penicillin.” This aromatic liquid will lift your spirits, give you strength, and help you taste life again. Additionally, it helps relieve cough and soothes an irritated throat. Chicken meat contains the amino acid cysteine, which acts as a mucolytic, thinning mucus. Cysteine, by the way, is included in many popular cough medications, but in different dosages.
How to prepare. The best broth comes from young chickens fed grain. It is important to boil the bird for at least 2-3 hours on very low heat. Don't forget to add allspice, cloves, a couple of garlic cloves, a peeled onion, parsley root, and celery. Carrots will also be a good addition. The final touch — sprinkle with herbs before serving.
Ginger
The next product on our list is ginger root. Both fresh and dried, it has anti-inflammatory effects, alleviating cough and sore throat. Additionally, it helps the body fight viruses and bacteria, reducing the time spent sick.
Ginger is not recommended for gastrointestinal diseases — ulcers, gastritis, during pregnancy, and in diabetes. It is also worth remembering that it can lower blood clotting and cause fluctuations in blood pressure.
How to prepare. Ginger tea is easy to make: grate the peeled root, pour boiling water over it, and let it steep for a couple of hours. You can add honey, cloves, and lemon.
A good option for cough is candied ginger. Slice the peeled root into thin pieces and boil until soft in a small amount of water for about 30 minutes. Then add sugar in a 1:1 ratio to the ginger and boil on high heat until the syrup thickens. Roll the finished pieces in sugar and lightly dry them on parchment paper.
You can also prepare a mixture of ginger with lemon and honey. For this, pass 200 g of peeled root and two lemons with the peel through a meat grinder, then mix with a glass of honey. Store in the refrigerator and take a tablespoon every morning. This will help you survive autumn and winter without catching a cold.
Carrot Juice
Another popular home remedy is carrot juice. Although scientific studies do not confirm its effectiveness, many people claim it helps them. Probably, carrot juice thins mucus and promotes productive coughing. As a result, the frequency of coughing fits decreases, and after a few days, you may completely forget about it. In any case, carrots are a harmless and accessible product. Why not try it and see its effects on yourself?
How to prepare. The best option is a combination of carrot juice with honey in a ratio of 2 tablespoons of honey per glass of juice. Take a spoonful 20 minutes before meals.
Pineapple
You might be surprised, but pineapple is an excellent remedy for cough. It contains bromelain — an enzyme with anti-inflammatory and mucolytic properties. Additionally, pineapple is rich in vitamins and minerals that support the body in fighting respiratory infections.
How to prepare. The easiest way is to eat a piece of fresh pineapple or drink pineapple juice. You can make a cocktail by adding honey, a bit of ginger, lemon juice, and a pinch of salt to the juice, mixing thoroughly. A pineapple smoothie will also be appropriate. To make it, blend half a cup each of orange and pineapple juice with diced banana and pineapple.
Important!
There are many folk remedies for cough. As for medical recommendations, specialists advise drinking more and humidifying the air. If the cough persists for three weeks, is accompanied by shortness of breath or fever, and blood appears in the mucus, be sure to consult a doctor.
