Last night at 2 am, I had coughed myself awake for the 10th time and I needed some help. My medicine cabinet is pretty scant and there is no cough medicine. But the Internet rescued me with this cough syrup from a 1999 posting about a recipe in Herbally Yours by Penny C. Royal. I mixed some up, drank a tablespoon of it and went back to bed to sleep through the rest of the night. Miracle. It did the trick again this afternoon when I started hacking. I don't want to lose this recipe, so I am republishing it for myself.
The syrup is full of natural botanic medicine - anti-inflammatory, antihistamine, antiseptic, pain reducer. The mixture is spicy and sweet. The fiery cayenne warms the throat, the vinegar soothes the scratchy feeling, and the honey is delicious. In addition to cough suppressing, it might make a tasty marinade.
Miracle Cough Syrup
makes 4 doses
1/4 t cayenne pepper
1/4 t ground ginger
1 T honey (manuka, if you have it)
1 T vinegar (apple cider, if you have it)
2 T water
Put all ingredients in a jar with a watertight lid. Shake until blended. Take by the tablespoon to soothe and suppress your cough.
I dont know whether renkon (lotus root) is in season right now, but it hs an amazing calming effect on a sore, irritated throat and will suppress coughing for a while after eating it. It is best eaten in as simple a dish as possible, such as stir fried with a bit of vinegar and soy, but boy is it ever effective!
Mind you, at 2am, you probably werent in the mood for a fry up...
I just happen to have a cough at the moment. Will try this right away.