Holistic Cough Solutions
Getting rid of a cough can be as simple as collecting mullein leaves and making tea - but you need to learn to identify and forage for mullein (easy to learn), harvest from non-toxic area, and dry the leaves for winter use, when cold and flu season most often appears. If you do not favor drinking tea, people, like myself, prefer the faster acting herbal tincture under the tongue. It is a personal preference.
Our family stays clear of the local Walgreen's as much as possible. Cough medicines purchased OTC have a lot of ingredients I would not want to give my children. Our local community pharmacy (now located in Middleton on University Avenue) has a lovely elderberry cough syrup, of which I have scrutinized the ingredients and it met with my approval. People often ask me what I would do...so here is what we have used and these have been effective....
First and foremost - always go to Raw Honey. Honey is our friend. It is a healing balm and the first go to at sign of illness. There is a 2007 study at my favorite site for research (NCBI), that determines honey to be more effective that OTC cough syrups. Most of us have honey in our cupboard, and even if you don't have the raw honey (which has many more health benefits that the heat processed, typical store bought honey bear shaped container) - any honey to get started will be helpful for a cough. It is recommended that you have raw honey from a local beekeeper for most benefit.
Add lemon to warm water or tea - lemon helps cut through the "throat slime", as I tell my kids.
An effective tea would be Marshmallow (Althea offcinalis) root/leaf tea has been used for centuries for cough and respiratory symptoms. It contains mucilage to sooth and coat the throat. Add fresh lemon and honey to the tea for a soothing sip of healing comfort. OR add a drop of therapeutic grade peppermint oil to improve the taste. I do not know if this herb is safe for kids though, so do your own homework on this one! I have not personally tried this tea, but the information on its benefits is rampantly available on the alternative/integrative health sites. I love the detox tea, and find adding some honey and squeezed lemon to be effective if under the weather, and my 12 yr old daughter likes it, too.
With a few more ingredients...you can create a healing fruit dessert. Give this a try!
Tropical Anti-Cough Delight
1/2" thick pineapple wheel (core included, remove rind)
2 T. raw honey
1 tsp. fresh lemon juice
*Powdered probiotic/prebiotic with enzymes product
- for younger children 1/8 tsp. or a pinch; over age 10 - 1/4 to 1/2 tsp.
Place ingredients in a blender and process to your preferred consistency. If adding the probiotic powder listed note that this "dessert-like" dish should be consumed within 30 minutes as the cultures become active once mixed with liquid. Enzymes will literally begin to break down this food.
What's behind the ingredients....
Bromelain is an enzyme found in pineapple that has many health benefits. Studies show that it also helps to loosen mucous found in the throat.
Honey - already mentioned, trust me - keep this in your cupboard at all times!! Gentle Breeze brand honey is made locally by a bee keeper in Mt. Horeb, Wisconsin - and is available at our local Piggly Wiggly. Bee Keeper Jon Roll in Cross Plains also provides Buck's Honey. I have talked to Jon personally to ensure his "processing" is indeed raw...he spins his honey. That's it - it is truly raw. It is available at Enchanted Valley egg farm, located off Cty. Rd. P.
Digestion (powder pack) Plus * - probiotics are always important when fighting a bacteria or virus. You want to avoid yogurt and other dairy-based probiotics as any dairy will increase mucous production. Please contact us if you would like to learn of our recommendations.
Try Essential Oils
Thyme extracts have proven to be effective with respiratory symptoms... it can be strong for children. Add to a carrier oil, such as extra virgin olive oil, and apply a couple drops to the bottoms of feet.
Peppermint essential oil is another favorite for coughs and colds. Again, for children is is very simple to apply to bottoms of feet, or along spine. Children find the potent essential oil to be strong too ingest. Therapeutic grade oil (Young Living or DoTerra) is a must if adding to food or beverages.
A reminder that these are our personal family remedies. I am not a doctor, do not make claims to cure or heal anything. Use these natural ingredients at your own risk, just as you would the OTC meds containing alcohol, artificial flavors and colors and other neuro-toxins.
Our family stays clear of the local Walgreen's as much as possible. Cough medicines purchased OTC have a lot of ingredients I would not want to give my children. Our local community pharmacy (now located in Middleton on University Avenue) has a lovely elderberry cough syrup, of which I have scrutinized the ingredients and it met with my approval. People often ask me what I would do...so here is what we have used and these have been effective....
First and foremost - always go to Raw Honey. Honey is our friend. It is a healing balm and the first go to at sign of illness. There is a 2007 study at my favorite site for research (NCBI), that determines honey to be more effective that OTC cough syrups. Most of us have honey in our cupboard, and even if you don't have the raw honey (which has many more health benefits that the heat processed, typical store bought honey bear shaped container) - any honey to get started will be helpful for a cough. It is recommended that you have raw honey from a local beekeeper for most benefit.
Add lemon to warm water or tea - lemon helps cut through the "throat slime", as I tell my kids.
An effective tea would be Marshmallow (Althea offcinalis) root/leaf tea has been used for centuries for cough and respiratory symptoms. It contains mucilage to sooth and coat the throat. Add fresh lemon and honey to the tea for a soothing sip of healing comfort. OR add a drop of therapeutic grade peppermint oil to improve the taste. I do not know if this herb is safe for kids though, so do your own homework on this one! I have not personally tried this tea, but the information on its benefits is rampantly available on the alternative/integrative health sites. I love the detox tea, and find adding some honey and squeezed lemon to be effective if under the weather, and my 12 yr old daughter likes it, too.
With a few more ingredients...you can create a healing fruit dessert. Give this a try!
Tropical Anti-Cough Delight
1/2" thick pineapple wheel (core included, remove rind)
2 T. raw honey
1 tsp. fresh lemon juice
*Powdered probiotic/prebiotic with enzymes product
- for younger children 1/8 tsp. or a pinch; over age 10 - 1/4 to 1/2 tsp.
Place ingredients in a blender and process to your preferred consistency. If adding the probiotic powder listed note that this "dessert-like" dish should be consumed within 30 minutes as the cultures become active once mixed with liquid. Enzymes will literally begin to break down this food.
What's behind the ingredients....
Bromelain is an enzyme found in pineapple that has many health benefits. Studies show that it also helps to loosen mucous found in the throat.
Honey - already mentioned, trust me - keep this in your cupboard at all times!! Gentle Breeze brand honey is made locally by a bee keeper in Mt. Horeb, Wisconsin - and is available at our local Piggly Wiggly. Bee Keeper Jon Roll in Cross Plains also provides Buck's Honey. I have talked to Jon personally to ensure his "processing" is indeed raw...he spins his honey. That's it - it is truly raw. It is available at Enchanted Valley egg farm, located off Cty. Rd. P.
Digestion (powder pack) Plus * - probiotics are always important when fighting a bacteria or virus. You want to avoid yogurt and other dairy-based probiotics as any dairy will increase mucous production. Please contact us if you would like to learn of our recommendations.
Try Essential Oils
Thyme extracts have proven to be effective with respiratory symptoms... it can be strong for children. Add to a carrier oil, such as extra virgin olive oil, and apply a couple drops to the bottoms of feet.
Peppermint essential oil is another favorite for coughs and colds. Again, for children is is very simple to apply to bottoms of feet, or along spine. Children find the potent essential oil to be strong too ingest. Therapeutic grade oil (Young Living or DoTerra) is a must if adding to food or beverages.
A reminder that these are our personal family remedies. I am not a doctor, do not make claims to cure or heal anything. Use these natural ingredients at your own risk, just as you would the OTC meds containing alcohol, artificial flavors and colors and other neuro-toxins.