Our grandmothers and grandfathers treated coughs this way. And this remedy helped them even in the most severe cases.
When the cold season comes, we get sick en masse with what people call a “cold”: cough, flu, bronchitis. But a cough can also be caused by an infection or an allergy.
In any case, this remedy will help you in getting rid of an annoying cough. It consists of simple, accessible, and natural ingredients. But do not doubt its effectiveness – this is exactly how our grandmothers acted!
Ingredients:
- Red onion – 0.5 kg;
- Brown sugar – 0.5 kg;
- Lemon – 2 pieces (medium size);
- Water – 1.5 L;
- Honey – 200 ml (natural).
Preparation:
- Put the pot with sugar on medium heat and heat it until it turns golden, stirring constantly.
- Then add the finely chopped onion and after a few minutes, the water.
- Maintaining the heat, bring the mixture to a boil and boil until the liquid is reduced to about 500 ml (⅓ of the original volume).
- When the mixture cools, add the honey and lemon juice and mix well.
- Then the liquid should be left overnight, and in the morning, you will need to filter it and pour it into a glass container.
How to use?
The recommended dose is 1 tbsp. Take it 3 times a day before meals.
If the prepared volume is not enough to fully recover, repeat the treatment.
We wish you health!
The Red Onion (The Medicinal Core)
The onion is the primary active ingredient in this recipe.
- Powerful Expectorant: Onions are rich in sulfur compounds. These compounds are what make you cry, but they are also a powerful expectorant. They work by helping to thin and loosen sticky mucus (phlegm) deep in your chest and lungs, making your cough more productive and easier to clear.
- Anti-inflammatory: Red onions are packed with antioxidants, especially quercetin. Quercetin is a potent natural anti-inflammatory that helps calm the irritation and inflammation in your bronchial tubes, which is often the source of the cough.
The Honey (The Soother and Suppressant)
Honey is added after cooling, which is crucial to preserve its benefits.
- Natural Demulcent: Honey is a well-known demulcent. This means it forms a thick, soothing film over the raw, irritated lining of your throat. This provides immediate relief from the “tickle” and reduces the cough reflex.
- Proven Cough Suppressant: Scientific studies have repeatedly shown that honey is one of the most effective natural cough suppressants, often performing as well as over-the-counter cough medicine (especially for nighttime coughs).
- Antimicrobial: Natural honey also has its own antibacterial and antiviral properties.
The Lemon (The Immune Booster)
Lemon is a classic cold-fighting ingredient for two main reasons:
- High in Vitamin C: Vitamin C is essential for a strong immune system. It helps your body produce white blood cells to fight off the underlying cold or flu virus that is causing the cough in the first place.
- Breaks Up Mucus: The acidity of the lemon can also help to thin and break up phlegm, supporting the expectorant action of the onion.
The Brown Sugar (The Syrup Creator)
In this recipe, sugar plays a vital practical role.
- Creates the Syrup: By caramelizing the sugar and then boiling it with the onions and water, you are creating a stable syrup. Through osmosis, the sugar draws all the medicinal juices and beneficial compounds out of the onion, concentrating them into the liquid. This also makes the potent, raw onion flavor much more palatable.
How They Work Together (Synergy)
This remedy is effective because it’s a “triple-action” formula:
- The Onion works deep in the chest to loosen phlegm.
- The Honey works on the throat to soothe irritation and suppress the cough reflex.
- The Lemon works on the whole body to boost the immune system and fight the infection.
The sugar and water are simply the delivery system that combines all these benefits into a single, effective, and easy-to-take syrup.
Important Disclaimer: This is a traditional remedy for relieving the symptoms of a common cough. It is not a cure for serious underlying conditions like pneumonia or bacterial bronchitis. If a cough is severe, persistent for more than a week, or is accompanied by a high fever or difficulty breathing, it is essential to see a doctor.
Also, never give honey to a child under one year of age.
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