It is amazing what abundance of natural ingredients nature provides us to help prevent and cure all manner of illness. Here are my top 10 natural ingredients to help treat the symptoms of coughs and colds; relieve congestion and soothe sore throats.
Garlic – Used to reduce pain and relieve inflammation, garlic can be used in a multitude of ways. The allicin present right after garlic is crushed and before it is heated is a powerful antibacterial so eating raw, chopped garlic is a popular folk remedy. Not sure I could stomach that!
Peppermint – Peppermint contains menthol which is a popular ingredient to help relieve congestion in the form of rubs. Peppermint tea tastes delicious. However, menthol is not suitable for infants so please don’t be giving it to small babies.
Salt – The humble salt can help relieve sore throats and coughs and has an antibacterial effect. Mix half a teaspoon with warm water, gargle and spit. Salt can also be added to chopped pieces of ginger to chew on.
Pepper – Accidently get black pepper up your nose and you will sneeze. Add black pepper to tea or make a syrup with honey to help remove unwanted mucus from your system. Cayenne pepper and chilli pepper are also effective ingredients to help remove unwanted congestion from sinuses and chest. Ahhchoo!
Pineapple – Natural pineapple juice is said to be extremely effective as a cough medicine and suitable for the whole family. You can find a great recipe for Homemade Cough Syrup with Pineapple here.
Elderberry – Abundant on roadsides and woodlands in the autumn in the UK, Elderberry is a free and readily available fruit that when made into a syrup makes a great cough remedy and is also thought to have preventative properties. It tastes delicious too! Learn how to make your own elderberry syrup here.
Licorice Root – Not to everyone’s taste, and not suitable for pregnant women, licorice is a powerful flavour. Available in herbal tea form, licorice root has been used for centuries to help relieve coughs, colds and digestive discomfort
Ginger – This firey spice can be eaten raw, steeped in boiled water as a tea or added to all kinds of food to help relieve coughs and congestion. I love adding it to a drink of lemon juice, honey and warm water to warm the belly and soothe the throat!
Turmeric – Used for centuries in Asia to cure and protect against illness, this brightly coloured spice is so versatile that you can add it to almost any meal. Add turmeric, cinnamon and ginger powder to warm milk for a calming bedtime drink. Find out more about the healing power of turmeric here.
Honey – When we are feeling under the weather we often favour something sweet. That is why honey is such a welcome ingredient in so many cough and cold remedies. Perfect for children (over the age of one) and adults alike, add honey to teas, syrups and just about anything to help loosen mucus and soothe sore throats.
Lemon – The perfect accompaniment to honey, lemon juice, is also a great expectorant. Add lemon and honey to warm water for a calming and uplifting cold remedy.
My calming cough suspension uses natural ingredients honey and lemon to provide great tasting and effective relief the symptoms caused by upper respiratory tract infections.Visit our website www.superkalimagik.co.uk for more information or you can try it for free by requesting a sample here.
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