While in medical school I took a course on extracting herbs, making tinctures, decoctions and other natural remedies. One such item was a homemade natural cough syrup made from honey and sliced onions. Doesn't sound so tasty, but once the honey naturally broke down the onions, you were left with a sweet syrup and no onion undertones.
Recently, studies have placed a spotlight on honey. The Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine published a study where researchers studied 105 children between the ages of two and 18 who were having trouble sleeping due to cough. The participants were given either a small dose of buckwheat honey, honey-flavored dextromethorphan or no treatment at all a half-hour before bed.
Children who were given the honey had less frequent and severe nighttime coughing than either the children given dextromethorphan or those given no treatment at all.
Manuka Honey in particular is making headlines. It has been shown to kill resistant superbug bacteria that antibiotics are ineffective on. New products such as Medihoney are showing to be superior in the realm of wound healing and management and are being used in hospitals and doctor's offices throughout the world.
Homemade Cough Syrup Here is a great recipe for a natural and effective cough syrup. This is non-toxic and excellent for that disturbing cough that keeps your kids up at night. Obviously, do not use this on children under the age of 1 where honey is not indicated.
Ingredients
1 large brown onion, peeled and thinly sliced.
Honey, preferably Manuka honey (this is made from tea-tree flowers)
1 glass jar slightly larger than the onion with a lid.
Instructions
Place the sliced and peeled onion into the glass jar, tightly packed.
Cover with honey and close lid.
Let sit overnight. The onions will become dry as the honey extracts the onion juices out.
Remove the onion left-overs.
Keep refrigerated. Take as needed for cough.
Typical dose is 1 tablespoon for children under 6 and 2 tablespoons for 6 years and older.
DO NOT give honey to children under the age of 1.
Here is a great recipe for a natural and effective cough syrup. This is non-toxic and excellent for that disturbing cough that keeps your kids up at night. Obviously, do not use this on children under the age of 1 where honey is not indicated.
Ingredients
1 large brown onion, peeled and thinly sliced.
Honey, preferably Manuka honey (this is made from tea-tree flowers)
1 glass jar slightly larger than the onion with a lid.
Instructions
Place the sliced and peeled onion into the glass jar, tightly packed.
Cover with honey and close lid.
Let sit overnight. The onions will become dry as the honey extracts the onion juices out.
Remove the onion left-overs.
Keep refrigerated. Take as needed for cough.
Typical dose is 1 tablespoon for children under 6 and 2 tablespoons for 6 years and older.