Horseradish syrup

3 homemade cough remedies

When you feel a sore throat coming on, raid your pantry instead of your medicine cabinet to prepare affordable all-natural cough remedies that really work

By Morella Aguirre

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3. Horseradish syrup

The mixture: 
Add a dash of grated horseradish to a quarter cup of honey. Allow it to sit for a few hours then use as a cough syrup.

Why it works:
“Horseradish promotes perspiration, making it useful in the treatment of fever,” says Dr. Jean-Jacques Dugoua, naturopathic doctor and director of clinical pharmacology for Newtopia. “When mixed with honey, it can be an effectiveremedy for hoarseness and cough from colds and flu.” Horseradish also stimulates appetite and promotes digestion. However, just a small amount does the trick. Eating large amounts may cause stomach upset.

Tip:

Although you may be tempted to add essential oils to a homemade cough syrup, it’s best to stick with whole foods as ingredients. Essential oils are very concentrated and can be very hard on the liver if ingested. Instead, reap the antimicrobial benefits of essential oils by adding them to a steam inhalation. Simply boil water, add in a few drops of the essential oil of your choice, place a towel over your head and breathe deeply. This will help dilute mucus and clear the nasal passages.

Related:
• Do cough medications work?
• 5 ways to fight the flu with food
• Is it safe to get the flu shot?