Natural cough remedies

Question: Sometimes it seems the coughing will nevercover with a terrycloth towel to retain the heat.
end, especially during cold and flu season. TheAs the onion poultice cools on your child’s
pharmacy shelves are stocked with cough syrups fullchest, prepare another one to replace it.
of chemicals, alcohol and dyes. Are there naturalThis procedure can be repeated several times using
cough remedies to try?fresh onions for each poultice.
Andrea Candee replies: Try some of these easilyThe Onion Pack
prepared cough remedies made fromI’ve never seen anything work faster to
nature’s pharmacy.stop incessant coughing than a pack made of yellow
Onion-Honey Cough Syruponion. When my sons coughed through the night,
Here’s a sweet and delicious cough remedyremaining asleep while I lay awake, I’d head
your child will love to eat! The anti-inflammatoryfor the kitchen to prepare this remedy. By the time I
properties of both honey and onion help relax coughingwould get from the bed to the door, the coughing
spasms and soothe irritated tissue. Onion and honeywould stop!
are anti-microbial, as well.The medicinal properties of the onion are contained in
Research reveals that onions, as well as garlic andits fumes and the inhalation of them is what does the
cayenne, produce an irritation in the stomach lining thattrick. The room won’t smell so fabulous in
signals the lungs to release a flow of secretions thatthe morning, but I always figured it was worth a
help thin sticky, thickened mucus. Can you recall hownight’s sleep.
peeling an onion brings tears to your eyes?Thinly slice a small yellow onion, place in cheesecloth,
That’s the same mechanism in action. This isfolding it over to make a self-contained
what makes onion such a good expectorant, breaking“pack.”
up congestion in the lungs.Place in a 200-degree oven for just a few minutes to
Mountain Rose Herbs. A herbs, health and harmonywarm it.
company. Since 1987Place on your child’s chest, taping in place
In a small saucepan, mix together 1 cup honey; 1with surgical tape and covering with a nightshirt.
medium, yellow onion, chopped; and 1 tablespoonChest-Relaxing Ginger Rub
thyme leaf (more, if you use it fresh).When your child’s chest feels tight as a
Cook the above ingredients until the onion is softened.result of cold or flu and coughing is painful, a ginger rub
Serve warm by itself, eaten by the teaspoonful, overwill bring herbal heat to the chest. Ginger’s
mashed potatoes or with your child’sstimulating properties increase circulation and help
favorite vegetable, meat or chicken.loosen things up, with greater comfort being the happy
Small amounts may be eaten several times a day, ifresult. I can remember times when this remedy was
desired.so effective that the next night my son required an
The healing properties of thyme have often beenonion pack to stop the incessant coughing from all the
called upon in another of my passions, directingloosened phlegm!
children’s theatre. Sometimes, the fledglingTo prepare this rub, mix together 1 tablespoon each of
thespians’ vocal chords don’t holdpowdered ginger (Zingiber off.) (purchased from a
up for multiple performances, so I share the formulahealth food store, where it will not have been
with their parents, suggesting they use it throughout theirradiated) and a non-petrolated petroleum jelly (also
day. I also recommend that they send their children toavailable at a health food store).
the performances with a container ofThe mixture will look rather like brown frosting. But
honey-sweetened thyme tea. School playsdon’t eat it — spread it on your
don’t usually have understudies, so you canchild’s chest, then cover with a cotton
imagine how important in the microcosm of the littleT-shirt.
actors’ world a remedy for laryngitis can be!A reddening of the area is normal and indicates that
Thyme-Honey Syrupthe ginger is increasing circulation to the capillaries near
Thyme is an excellent expectorant as well as anthe surface of the skin.
anti-microbial herb, and honey not only soothes butIn the morning, the petroleum jelly will have been
acts as a preservative as well. I keep thisabsorbed and the ginger will have worked its magic, as
wonderful-tasting syrup in my refrigerator all winterindicated by your child’s ability to breathe
long. It can be used for colds, coughs, laryngitis andmore easily.
sore throats.Another wonderful reason to use ginger: A Brigham
Steep 1 ounce of dried thyme leaf (Thymus vulgaris) inYoung University study revealed that this herb
1 cup boiled water, covered, until cool.significantly decreased nausea and diarrhea
Strain; mix the liquid with 1 cup of honey.associated with the 24-hour flu.
Store refrigerated in a glass jar. It keeps well forAromatic Congestion Oil
several months.Blending together any of the following oils will create a
Give undiluted doses of 1 teaspoon to 1 tablespoontreatment that deeply penetrates tissue, stimulating
several times a day as needed.blood flow to the lung area, helping to open air
Thyme-Eucalyptus Bathpassages. In addition, the herbs are anti-inflammatory
Another way to benefit from the anti-microbialand anti-microbial.
properties of thyme is in an inhalation bath. As thyme isThyme (Thymus vulgaris)
also a bronchodilater, it’s a good way to helpEucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus)
relieve the constricted breathing that can bePeppermint (Mentha piperita)
experienced with a chest cold, pneumonia or bronchitis.Lavender (Lavandula off.)
Eucalyptus helps stimulate secretions and isAnise (Pimpinella anisum)
anti-microbial. Before immersing your child in this bath,Cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum)
be sure that the eucalyptus is well tolerated. I haveHyssop (Hyssopus off.)
found that some allergic, asthmatic children experienceFor children under 8 years of age, blend 6 drops of
just the opposite: a constricted, heavy feeling in thecombined essential oils in a teaspoon of carrier oil such
chest.as almond, apricot kernel or grapeseed. For the older
Steep 2 tablespoons dried thyme leaf in 1 quart ofchild, increase the dilution to 10 drops to the teaspoon
boiled water for 30 minutes; strain; add to bath water.of oil.
Add 4 to 6 drops essential oil of eucalyptusThe congestion oil may be rubbed on the chest and
(Eucalyptus globulus) and stir into bath water.back in the morning, afternoon and at bedtime. Cover
Teach your child how to breathe deeply while bathing.with a cotton shirt.
Heavy-Duty Onion PoulticeContinue treatment until congestion loosens and your
To break up heavy lung congestion, as in pneumonia,child is more comfortable.
or to soothe the inflammation of bronchitis, consider theYou may expect a slight reddening of the skin due to
anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, secretion-stimulatingthe oils’ circulatory enhancing effect. If your
action of this treatment. It takes some preparation, butchild exhibits more than just a slight reddening or a
the results are well worth the effort.rash, discontinue use.
Simmer a large, thinly sliced, yellow onion in water untilSeveral drops of the congestion oil may be used in a
just softened.bath.
Place the onion on a piece of white cloth (cheesecloth,For inhalations, add a few drops of the congestion oil
cotton diaper or linen napkin) and fold it up to make ato a pot of hot water, encouraging your child to
packet.breathe deeply over the water.
Carefully apply to your child’s congestedSeveral drops of the oil may also be added to a
area, making sure it is not too hot to the touch, andvaporizer.