Tell Me Something I Don't Know....    
with Lady J   

Today I want to talk about stopping that cough naturally.  Seems like what I am hearing the most from folks that have had "the crud" is that the cough continues on forever.  Most of these coughs do not require a doctor's care but it can continue on for 2-3 weeks which is most irritating to say the least.

There are a lot of natural remedies that help.  I was reminded of a few of my favorite ones in a BottomLine article last fall and I have added some more to their list.

   ** Both of the following can be most effectively used at bedtime when coughing prevents sleep so necessary to get well. The best recipe is add 1 tablespoon of honey to the juice of ½ of a fresh lemon in a cup of just boiled water. Be sure that it is not too hot if you are giving it to children or the elderly who may not have ‘heat awareness'.
     o  Lemon and honey in any combination even with whiskey which was used quite often in the back hills of Pennsylvania when I was a child.  This combo cuts the thick mucus which is usually the culprit causing the problem.

          o    Warm lemon and manukah honey "tea".   Manukah honey is a special honey from New Zealand has antimicrobial properties to help with underlying virus.

          *Raw local honey also has antimicrobial properties and also helps with allergies if that is the underlying culprit.

   ** Dark chocolate which contains theobromine. The darker the chocolate (65% or higher) the more theobromine which is what makes it work. This contains caffeine so maybe not so good at nighttime if caffeine affects you. An ounce or even ½ ounce is effective and can be used two to three times per day (calories).

   ** Beet and/or pineapple juice are especially good for coughs due to bronchitis as they help open the passages and allows mucous to be removed. Two caveats: beet juice has nitrates if you have been told to limit them and orange juice tends to cause mucous.

    ** Elderberry syrup acts as an expectorant and has antiviral and antiflu properties. It can be purchased at most health food stores. Take as directed 3 times per day. You may need to dilute it with water to make it more to your taste.

    ** There are a couple of homeopathic which help to loosen the mucous: AlphaSH and Kali B. Health food stores may have them. Do NOT buy the higher doses (200c). Less is better in the world of homeopathy. Probably 30c but 6c might also work if cough is new. Taking two 6c does not double the amount like it does in our Western medicine prescriptions. If your cough has been going on for 2-3 weeks go for the the 30c. Ask where you buy it on how to take it or call me at the below telephone number and we can have a chat about it.

There are dozens of OTC (over the counter) cough remedies and the majority of them don't work which has been proven by scientific studies.  The real issue, however, with these OTC meds is that often they are combinations and you are treating symptoms you don't even have.  Antihistamines and saline nasal spray may be the exceptions but why use these when any of the natural remedies listed above work quite well and with no side effects.

NOTE:  If your cough lasts more than 3-4 weeks you DO NEED to see a doctor as it may be something more serious or if all you have ever had was just the cough.