A cough can be caused by a number of factors: illness, environment, or simple throat irritation. When you cough, it is your body’s way of trying to expel phlegm or other irritants that are in your respiratory system. Most conditions that can cause a cough are not life-threatening. There are many over-the-counter and prescription treatments for cough, but you might start with a tried and true home remedy for this ailment: honey and lemon!
Benefits of Honey and Lemon for Cough
The combination of honey and lemon is a traditional cure for cough that has gained a great deal of respect in the medical community due to the individual and combined power of the ingredients.
- Honey has known antibacterial properties that can rid your body of the harmful bacteria causing the cough. Honey is full of vital nutrients including calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, zinc, copper, manganese, selenium and fluoride that repair and stimulate tissue growth and act as anti-oxidants to remove the harmful free radicals that are in your body. The best honey is low in water content so naturally attracts water to be used in surrounding tissues.
- Lemon is very high in vitamin C; in fact, the juice of one lemon contains 1/3 of the recommended daily allowance for an adult. Vitamin C is one of the most important vitamins to help the immune system and it also acts as another powerful anti-oxidant. Lemons also have been shown to have very strong antibacterial and antiviral properties.
Recipes of Honey and Lemon for Cough
There are several easy-to-make “recipes” for cough using ingredients you probably have at home. The basis for each of these recipes is, of course, honey and lemon, so be sure to keep local honey and fresh lemons on hand.
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Comment and Instruction
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| Honey and Lemon Juice
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- The simplest recipe is a combination of 1-cup of warm, local honey and 3-tablespoons of freshly squeezed lemon juice.
- Add ¼ cup of warm water the mixture and then stir until smooth.
- Take 1-2 tablespoons of the mixture at the first sign of cough and be sure to take a dose before bed for a good night’s sleep.
- Refrigerated, the leftover mixture so be fine for up to a month.
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| Honey and Lemon Juice with Glycerin
 
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Although you may not have glycerin at home, it is a good ingredient because it has great moisturizing properties. This recipe is particularly good if you have a raw, scratchy throat.
- In a saucepan, boil an uncut lemon in water for 10 minutes.
- Cut the lemon and squeeze the juice.
- Mix in 2 tablespoons of honey and 2 tablespoons of glycerin.
- Take 1 teaspoon of this mixture to relieve a cough and scratchy throat.
- Refrigerate the leftovers for later use.
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| Honey and Lemon Juice with Garlic
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If you have congestion that is causing your cough, add some garlic to help break down the phlegm causing the congestion.
- Squeeze the juice from half a lemon into a sauce pan.
- Finely grate about 1/8 teaspoon of garlic into the lemon.
- Add one cup of water and bring the mixture to a boil.
- Pour the mixture into a cup, mix in 1 tablespoon of honey, and drink the mixture.
- If you want to make a larger quantity, double or triple the recipe and refrigerate the leftover mixture for future use.
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| Honey and Lemon Juice with Ginger
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For a cough you just cannot get rid of, add some ginger! Ginger contains many essential oils and antioxidants but also contains oleoresin which is a great cough suppressant.
- Grate about 1 tablespoon of ginger root into a sauce pan with 2 cups of water.
- Squeeze the juice of ½ lemon into the mixture and bring it to a boil.
- After boiling, take the pan off the heat and let it cool for 20 minutes.
- Add 1-2 tablespoons of honey and drink the mixture.
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| Honey and Lemon Juice with Coconut Oil
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Another ingredient you may have to purchase is coconut oil. Rich in antioxidants, antibacterial, and antiviral substances, coconut oil may provide a boost to the immune system and may help decrease the severity and length of an illness.
- Mix 3 tablespoons of lemon juice, ¼ cup of honey and 2 tablespoons of coconut oil in a sauce pan.
- Heat until the coconut oil is melted; do not boil this mixture!
- Take a tablespoon of the mixture and refrigerate the rest for later.
NOTE: Because the coconut oil will harden, you will have to heat the mixture each time you want to use it.
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Warnings of Using Honey and Lemon for Cough
Before using honey and lemon as a home remedy for cough, there are a few warnings you should be aware of:
- If you are allergic to either ingredient, do NOT use these recipes!
- If you have heartburn or gallbladder disease, consult your healthcare provider before using concentrated lemon.
- Lemon juice can harm the enamel of your teeth, so consult your dentist.
- Before using this remedy on your child, consult the pediatrician.
- Honey contains a form of botulism that may be deadly to children under the age of 12 months old. Do NOT give honey to these children!
- If you cough up green, yellow or blood-streaked phlegm, you should consult your doctor.
- If your cough is accompanied by fever, shortness of breath, or noisy breathing, consult your doctor.
- The underlying cause of your cough should be treated by your healthcare provider!
