Home remedies for common ailments

As winter sets in, it often brings along coughs and colds. Rather than resorting to store-bought remedies, why not explore the soothing and timeless world of herbal and natural cough relief? In this article, we will take a journey through a range of comforting and easy-to-create remedies that can help ease your discomfort.

From the immunity-boosting warmth of Echinacea tea to the goodness of Elderberry syrup, and from cherished age old herbal teas to the homemade cough drops that our grandmas used to swear by, we have got your back to help get rid of that cough and cold.

1. Echinacea Tea

   Echinacea tea is a powerful immune booster. A steaming cup of this herbal tea can help strengthen your body’s defenses against coughs and colds.

   Ingredients:

   1. 1/4 cup dry echinacea leaves and petals
   2. 1 1/4 cup boiling water
   3. Honey or other sweetener (optional)
   4. 2 tsp fresh lemon juice (optional)

   Instructions:

   1. Heat water until it rapidly boils.
   2. Crush the homemade echinacea tea leaves and place it in a tea strainer or non-bleached tea bag.
   3. Pour the boiling water over the tea to fill the cup.
   4. Steep the echinacea tea for 10-15 minutes; a longer steep results in a stronger flavor.
   5. Remove the tea strainer or tea bag.
   6. Add sweetener if desired.
   7. Enjoy your echinacea tea.

2. Elderberry Syrup

   Packed with antioxidants and vitamins, elderberry syrup is a natural immune system supporter. It helps combat inflammation, eases stress, and may even protect your heart. Plus, it’s your ally in preventing and easing the symptoms of cold and flu.

   Ingredients:

   1. 1 cup dried elderberries
   2. 4 cups of water
   3. Cinnamon, cloves, ginger, lemon or even orange
   4. Honey or other natural sweetener

   Instructions:

   1. In a saucepan add elderberries and water
   2. Add spices such as cinnamon, cloves, ginger, lemon or even orange for flavoring
   3. Bring the mixture to a boil and then reduce heat to simmer for 45 -60 minutes. Strain the syrup and allow it to cool
   4. Add natural sweeteners like honey, maple syrup or date syrup. Only add honey once the mixture is slightly cooled as the heat may kill any of the beneficial properties. When measuring honey, spray the measuring cup with cooking spray
   5. Feed the strained pulp to chicken or add to compost
   6. Use 1 teaspoon for children and 2 for adults. Do not give honey to children under 1 year as spores in honey can cause botulism.
   7. Keep refrigerated inside an airtight container and use within 1 month of making, keep

3. Nasal saline irrigation

   If you are suffering from a stubborn sinus infection, try nasal saline irrigation where a saline solution is used to flush out the nasal passage using a container called a neti pot. Nasal saline irrigation helps the sinuses clear of debris, allergens, reduce congestion, inflammation,irritation and thins out the mucus. This can relieve some of the common symptoms such as headache and runny nose.

   You can get ceramic net pots which look like teapots which are filled with a solution made of salt and water

   1. Use sterile, distilled water or previously boiled water. Do not use tap or bottled water as they contain bacteria or other contaminants.
   2. Lean your head over the sink and tilt your head to one side
   3. Gently insert the the neti pot into your top nostril
   4. Slowly pour the water into your top nostril and allow it to flow out of the bottom nostril
   5. Blow your nose to remove any standing water
   6. Repeat the process with the other side

4. Herbal Tea

   Nature provides many herbs that can be our allies in fighting coughs. Basil and cypress calm coughs, while eucalyptus relieves nasal congestion. Ginger, lavender, oregano, and peppermint have their unique healing properties that can help decrease your discomfort.

   Instructions

   1. Pour 1 ½ cups of boiling water over your chosen herbs, such as throat-soothing herbal tea bags or dried herbs.
   2. Allow the herbs to steep for 20 minutes or until the water cools.
   3. Squeeze out the liquid from the herbs and strain the tea.

5. Home-made cough drops

   Homemade cough drops, whether herbal or plain honey, offer effective relief from coughs and sore throats. They’re a natural, soothing alternative to over-the-counter options.

   Herbal cough drops

   1. Combine the herbal tea prepared as the instructions above with honey in a deep saucepan with a heavy bottom.
   2. Attach a candy thermometer to the saucepan.
   3. Boil and simmer the mixture until it reaches 300°F, stirring frequently. Use a glass of ice water to test the mixture’s consistency if you don’t have a thermometer.
   4. Prepare a pan and cut waxed paper or cellophane for packaging.
   5. Once the syrup reaches the “hard drop stage,” pour it into the prepared pan.
   6. Allow the mixture to cool for 15-30 minutes.
   7. Cut the mixture into strips and then into drop-sized bits. Shape the drops and coat them in anti-stick powder.
   8. Wrap each drop securely and store in a jar with a tight lid. Honey drops attract moisture, so wrapping is essential to prevent stickiness. If unwrapped, honey drops can merge into one large drop, especially in humid conditions.

   Pure honey cough drops

   1. Ideal for those who prefer plain honey drops or are concerned about using herbal drops during pregnancy. 2.Prepare similarly to honey herbal cough drops but without adding any herbs.
   2. No water is added, so the cooking process is quicker.
   3. Heat honey slowly to prevent scorching.

   Pure honey cough drops with essential oils

   1. Prepare the same way as for honey cough drops.
   2. Add a few drops of pure essential oils like ginger, peppermint, lemon, lavender, oregano, juniper berry, eucalyptus, or frankincense just before pouring the mixture into the pan.

   Natural fruit flavour honey cough drops

   1. Prepare the same way as for honey cough drops.
   2. Swap herbal tea with unsweetened fruit juice such as Elderberry juice or freshly squeezed organic lemon juice to make your own honey-lemon drops.

6. Natural Cough Syrup recipe

   Ingredients

   1. 1 cup of water
   2. 1 cup of honey
   3. ½ cup peeled and sliced fresh ginger
   4. 1 ½ tbsp of lemon zest
   5. ½ cup of fresh lemon juice

   Instructions

   1. In a small saucepan, combine lemon zest, ginger, and water.
   2. Bring it to a boil and then let it simmer for 5 minutes on low heat.
   3. Strain the mixture into a heatproof cup, collecting the water.
   4. In the same pan, add honey, warming it on low heat without letting it boil.
   5. Stir in the lemon ginger water and add the lemon juice.
   6. Mix well, then pour it into a reusable glass jar

These natural cough syrup can be stored in the fridge for up to 6 months. For children aged 1-5, a dose of 1-2 teaspoons every 4 hours is sufficient, while adults can take 1-2 tablespoons every 4 hours. A spoonful of plain honey can reduce nighttime cough frequency more effectively than some over-the-counter drugs. Avoid prescription syrups containing narcotic codeine due to associated risks.

7. Other Effective Age-Old Remedies

In addition to herbal remedies and homemade cough drops, you can find relief from a troublesome cough with these age-old treatments:

1. Sip on warm turmeric milk.
2. Inhale steam with ajwain (carom seeds) in boiling water.
3. Gargle with warm saltwater.
4. Mix a teaspoon of honey and ginger juice to ease a runny nose.
5. Try flax seeds with lime juice and honey for added comfort.
6. Enjoy warm tulsi water.
7. Stay hydrated, consume nutritious foods, and get plenty of rest.

These natural remedies, combined with the healing power of herbs and homemade cough drops, can help you beat that annoying cough and get back to feeling your best. Remember, nature has a way of soothing and healing, so why not give it a try? If you have any other tried and tested recepies to share, please reach out to us.