Cough remedies

[LIZS]

dd has been underpar since Tuesday, hoarse throat, bit snivelly, headache etc and we've all had it to some degree. Fortunately it coincided with school being closed due to snow so has only missed half a day and been able to stay in. She is better in herself now with some voice but is still coughing . However she is due to take a woodwind exam on Tuesday and will need all the puff she can muster ! Any tips please?

[peeringintothevoid]

Honey, lemon and ginger is my stock remedy for this.

Get some thyme honey and some root ginger. Thinly slice/dice some root ginger, put into a teapot, pour on boiling water and *put the lid on.^ If you don't have a teapot, make it in a mug but be sure to cover it with a plate or saucer, or you lose the volatile oils.

When it's brewed for 10 - 15 mins, pour into a mug (about two thirds full), stir in a big teaspoon of honey, and squeeze in the juice of a lemon. Drink as hot as possible.

The honey soothes the throat, the lemon gives vitamin C and is antiseptic, the ginger is warming and expectorant. It's a pleasant taste too.

Sage is a fantastic herb for anything to do with the throat, but it tastes fairly antiseptic, as does thyme. If your daughter will drink it, you could give her (and yourself) sage tea; pick some sage leaves (or use dried from the supermarket), using a teaspoon of dried per mugfull of tea (more of the fresh), pour on the boiling water, cover it and steep for ten mins. Same with thyme.

Hope she feels better soon.

[AnyoneforTurps]

Don't bother with expensive cough mixtures - they don't work (apart from the night-time ones with a sedative but they are not suitable for children). I'm a GP and I use honey & lemon -plus a slug of Scotch in the evenings for adult patients only!