For How Long Can You Continue to Take Cayenne Pepper Cough Syrup

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Our family doesn't tend to get sick very often, but when sickness does overtake us, I'm grateful to have natural and traditional remedies within reach.

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This is compounded even more since I'm currently pregnant – no way do I want most OTC medicines available these days coming anywhere near my precious baby's developing brain and endocrine, hormone, and nervous systems.

So recently, when I came down with a hacking cough, tickly throat, and a swollen larynx, I reached for a few simple ingredients in my kitchen and mixed up this homemade cough syrup that quieted my cough and allowed me to sleep. We have found that even if it doesn't alleviate the cough entirely, it soothes the throat considerably and gives the membranes a chance to rest.

We often use this recipe with our children as well, but they're not always crazy about the flavor. (I quite like it, personally….) On those days, we make Mexican Hot Chocolate Cough Syrup for Kids, which is delicious enough that we have to remind them that they can't just help themselves and eat the whole jar!

The original version of this recipe appeared in the 1982 edition of Herbally Yours by Penny C. Royal. I prefer a thicker syrup, so I've added more honey and don't use any water, but overall it's very similar to the recipe she recommends. And obviously, due to the honey content, this syrup should not be used with an infant under the age of 12 months.

If you would prefer cough drops, we've got homemade cough drops too!

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I've included several hundred natural remedy recipes, tips, and tutorials in my book, The Thinking Parent's Guide to Natural Remedies. That way, the next time your child wakes up with an annoying cough in the middle of the night, you'll be both confident and ready, so grab your own copy right here.

Homemade Cough Syrup for Dry, Tickly Coughs

This simple homemade cough syrup helps soothe irritated membranes and stiffle those irritating coughs that keep you up through the night.

Cook Time 5 minutes

Total Time 5 minutes

Servings: 6 tablespoons

• ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1 teaspoon fresh grated ginger OR 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1 clove garlic, grated (optional)
• 2 tablespoons honey, preferably raw
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
• 2 tablespoons water (optional)

• Place all ingredients in a small jar with a tight lid and shake to combine or whisk vigorously in a medium bowl. The mixture will stay fresh for several days, especially if stored in the refrigerator, but is most effective when made fresh every two days.

• Take 2-3 spoonfuls every few hours or as needed. (Personally, I find it very drying to the throat, so taking a dose more than once an hour becomes an irritant for me – you'll find your right balance easily.)

The Ingredients

The cayenne pepper has capsaicin, which acts as a pain reliever. Even though it's also what makes hot peppers spicy, capsaicin interrupts the pain message between the nerves and the brain, thus alleviating the pain sensation. It is also warming and stimulating to the nerves, thus increasing blood flow and promoting healing.

Ginger is a natural antihistamine and anti-inflammatory, as well as anti-nausea agent. It likewise is warming and stimulating to the nervous system and is helpful in relieving chest congestion. I prefer using fresh ginger because it is more potent and the juice is especially helpful in this recipe, but ground ginger is certainly a worthy substitute.

Garlic is known for its anti-viral properties and stimulates the immune system. Include the garlic in this recipe if you are fighting a particularly nasty viral infection.

Honey is soothing, tasty, and coats the throat. Raw honey is packed with nutrients and enzymes and is a powerful antiviral and antibacterial substance, due to the propolis, which is what the bees themselves use to seal the hive from bacteria and infection. One study published by Stanford University (pdf) has shown that buckwheat honey is especially effective for cough relief.

Apple cider vinegar has a plethora of beneficial uses and in this case provides antiseptic, antiviral, and antibacterial properties. It also provides a large number of minerals, vitamins, enzymes, and amino acids, which boost the immune system and promote healing in the body.

Other Cough Remedies

Mixing raw honey and fresh lemon juice in a ratio of 1 tablespoon honey to 1 teaspoon lemon juice is a very simple syrup to concoct and soothes most sore throats and annoying coughs. It's refreshing and soothing and provides a needed dose of Vitamin C.

A few important notes…

Please remember, any cough that:

• lasts more than a week, especially if coupled with a fever
• is accompanied by a whooping sound
• has swollen tonsils with white dots and feels like you're swallowing glass
• brings up blood or thick yellow or green mucous

needs to be seen by a doctor, naturopath, or other medical professional. Most coughs are harmless and annoying, but some can be the first signs of something much more severe and in some cases are highly contagious and need to be treated quickly.

Also, if you are prescribed an antibiotic, remember to eat plenty of yogurt and other probiotic foods, such as sauerkraut, kombucha, or kefir. The antibiotics work successfully by killing off the bacteria in your system and the good bacteria need to be replenished. (Do also remember, though, to not eat the dairy-based probiotics, such as yogurt or milk kefir, at the same time as the medication, as the dairy will interfere with the effectiveness of the drug.)

And of course, remember to never feed honey to an infant under 12 months old, and if your child finds the cayenne unpalatable, feel free to just leave it out.

Kresha is the mother of four young children, the wife of one handsome organic farmer, an opera singer, a cloth diapering instructor, and an avid researcher. She and her husband share a passion for living life thoughtfully and intentionally in response to God's grace in their lives and she loves to share good meals (and good wine) around a very large table.

hinermansifeenchall.blogspot.com

Source: https://nourishingjoy.com/homemade-cough-syrup/

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