A Cough Remedy
Honey-Lime Tea, a cough remedy
I have had this Honey-Lime Tea recipe written since last year when my son was sick and missed a week of school with a fever and annoying cough. When it comes to home remedies for coughing, my grandma’s honey-lime tea, which I have had countless times for coughs, that stands out in my memory. It was my son’s tired faceon a rainy day in September 2011 that took me to the kitchen here in Seattle to prepare some. It had been a long while since I had made it, but there is nothing difficult at all about this simple three-ingredient recipe made from lime, honey and salt. All that’s needed is the right balance of salty, sweet and sour to sooth the aching and irritated throat.
Honey image via Wikipedia
Lime is a great source of Vitamin Cand “Honey has also been used for centuries as a treatment for sore throats and coughs and, according to recent research, may be an effective soothing agent for coughs” (from Wikipedia). The risk for honey is only in children under a year of age because of a rare occurrence of infantile botulism, otherwise it is a well-established natural cough remedy in many cultures.
Lime มะนาว - plenty of lime in Thailand
In my kitchen, with the honey, limes and salt in front of me, I recalled standing side by side with my grandma in her kitchen, watching her stirring, tasting and adjusting the sour, sweet and salty. The sour from lime would make my eyes squint, but adding enough honey to cut the sharp edge of the lime would allow my eyes to open once again with sweet delight and the mixture to comfort my sore throat. Then she would add enough salt to pronounce its existence and make the honey and lime dance together in harmony. The warmth of the tea also soothed the sore throat. I would sip this tea slowly as if to allow each sip of honey-lime tea to absorb and sooth and melt away all the discomfort.It is not often I get a credit for my home remedies, but my son did find a tremendous comfort from this tea last year. As I tested this recipe one more time, he took part and enjoyed this tea once again, as both of us had mild colds this week. As we sipped, we both agreed that we appreciated this recipe before and now.
- Honey-Lime Tea
Honey-Lime Tea
Cha Nam PungManao
ชามะนาวน้ำผึ้ง
Don’t judge this recipe by the amount of lime and honey. It is not a tea for daily drinking, but more of a cough remedy for those times that we need all that vitamin C from the lime and the medicinal qualities of the honey. I would recommend that you prepare it according to the recipe and taste it before making any changes or adjustments. Take a good sip and swallow it slowly to allow the warm, well-balanced tea to linger in your throat.
This tea also good for drinking warm just for pleasure, in which case I would reduce the lime juice to 4 tablespoons. I recommend using the full 6 tablespoons of lime juice for use as a cough remedy.
Serves: 1
¼ teaspoon salt plus 2 pinches2 tablespoons honey6 tablespoons hot water4 to 6 tablespoons lime juicePut the water on to heat then prepare the ingredients as follows.Place salt and honey into a tea-cup and pour boiling water or warm water over it, stirring until the salt and honey dissolve. Add lime juice, stir one more time and serve. For use as a cough remedy, use the whole 6 tablespoons of lime juice and sip it slowly. For tea, use just 4 tablespoons lime juice. This is also an ideal summer drink poured over ice.
© 2011PraneeKhruasanitHalvorsenI Love Thai cookingPraneeteaches Thai Cooking classes in the Seattle area.Her website is:I Love Thai cooking.com.Related articlesPosted in Pranee's Culinary Tales, Recipes, Thai Beverage Recipe, Thai Gluten Free Recipe, Thai Recipe for Kid | Tagged Honey Home Cough Remedy, Thai Cooking with Children, Thai Cuisine, Traditional Thai Cooking | 6 Comments
6 Responses
on November 2, 2011 at 9:05 am | Reply Hannah
I am feeling under the weather now, so I’m going to make a cup of this as soon as I finish writing this comment. Thank you for sharing!
I am impressed with this home remedy. It tastes so good and it makes one feel good so fast. Pranee
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[…] and have been resting for the past two days. What do I eat on such a do nothing day? I prepared Honey-Lime Tea to sooth my coughing and sore throat. For dinner I prepared myself a rice porridge. While the rice […]
on September 25, 2013 at 12:42 am | Reply Ron
Amazing! My grandma told me about it and it is without a doubt the best to get rid of a cough!
Grandma way of living is the best!
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FAQs
Place salt and honey into a tea-cup and pour boiling water or warm water over it, stirring until the salt and honey dissolve. Add lime juice, stir one more time and serve. For use as a cough remedy, use the whole 6 tablespoons of lime juice and sip it slowly.
Can honey and lime stop cough? ›
Drinking tea or warm lemon water mixed with honey is a time-honored way to soothe a sore throat. But honey alone may be an effective cough suppressant, too. In one study, children ages 1 to 5 with upper respiratory tract infections were given up to 2 teaspoons (10 milliliters) of honey at bedtime.
How much honey do I put in a cup of tea for a cough? ›
Most sore throats tend to get better within a week, but during that time, adults can take a spoonful (about 1 teaspoon) of honey for a cough and sore throat. You can also dilute half a teaspoon to 1 teaspoon of honey in warm water or tea. This method is also recommended for children older than 1.
How much honey and lemon should I drink for a cough? ›
Hot lemon with honey has a similar effect to cough medicines. Squeeze half a lemon into a mug of boiled water. Add 1 to 2 teaspoons of honey. Drink while still warm (do not give hot drinks to small children).
Why does honey stop coughing? ›
Here are a few ways how honey may help treat coughs: It contains antioxidants and is thought to help lower inflammation in your throat which can soothe your throat. It might limit how much mucus the body produces. It has a thick texture, which coats the receptors that get irritated and produce the urge to cough.
How do you stop a cough fast? ›
Natural Cough Remedies
- Honey. 1/12. A teaspoon or two of honey may cut mucus production. ...
- Hot Drinks. 2/12. Hot drinks won't ease a stuffy head, but they can soothe a cough much better than room temperature drinks. ...
- Ginger. 3/12. ...
- Water. 4/12. ...
- Steam. 5/12. ...
- Neti Pot. 6/12. ...
- Elderberry. 7/12. ...
- Menthol. 8/12.
Just drink some warm water with lime and honey. It helps to reduce swelling or inflammation in a jiffy. Its antibacterial property will prevent infections from setting in. Moreover, for people with chronic inflammation, this drink is a must.
Does honey in tea break up mucus? ›
According to studies, raw honey can naturally suppress coughs and lessen mucus production. Honey also reduces the intensity and duration of a cough. Your favorite herbal tea can be infused with a few drops of honey to help loosen phlegm, ease pain, and stop coughing.
What is the fastest way to get mucus out of your lungs? ›
A deep cough is less tiring and more effective in clearing mucus out of the lungs. Huff Coughing: Huff coughing, or huffing, is an alternative to deep coughing if you have trouble clearing your mucus. Take a breath that is slightly deeper than normal.
Will a teaspoon of honey stop a cough? ›
How much honey should be used for a cough? To soothe a cough, start with 1 to 2 teaspoons of honey. You can have it on its own, spread it on toast, or mix it into warm water or tea.
Lemon and honey in warm water is an ideal drink to alleviate constipation and for promoting digestion. This drink is beneficial in cleansing the colon and getting rid of the undigested food and toxins from the body.
Does honey and lemon break up mucus? ›
Honey and lemon tea is an old remedy for curing a cold or sore throat. Honey is full of anti-bacterial properties good for getting rid of infection. It also coats the throat which can suppress a cough. Lemon is full of vitamin C and helps break up mucus.
What can I mix with honey for a cough? ›
Honey Cough Syrup
- zest of 2 lemons (approx. 1 1/2 T)
- 1/4 cup - ginger, peeled, sliced, or 1/2 tsp. of ground ginger.
- 1 cup - water.
- 1 cup - honey.
- 1/2 cup - lemon juice.
In a Cochrane review assessing 2 randomized controlled trials with 265 children comparing honey with dextromethorphan, diphenhydramine, and no treatment, honey was found to be better than no treatment, slightly better than diphenhydramine, and equal in effect to dextromethorphan in reducing frequency of cough.
What kind of honey is best for cough? ›
Manuka honey is rich in anti-fungal properties, so it can help stop the growth of fungus in your throat. This can help reduce the severity and duration of your cough. Its anti-inflammatory properties can help reduce swelling and inflammation in your mucus membranes, which can help you breathe easier.
Can lemon juice and honey cure cough? ›
Hot Lemon and Honey Tea Comforts a Sore Throat
But it's so good, especially if you have a cough or congestion. The lemon juice helps cut through congestion and the honey soothes the throat.
Is lemon or lime good for cough? ›
Lemon helps to boost immunity and is also essential for DNA repair and serotonin production. A freshly squeezed lemon with warm water or tea can help you soothe your sore throat and cough. You may also have oranges during the flu. It has high vitamin C and helps you get well faster.
Does honey and lemon get rid of mucus? ›
Phlegm home remedies, like lemon juice and honey, ginger syrup with cinnamon, or peppermint tea, naturally contain substances with expectorant, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic and antioxidant action. They help to eliminate secretions in the respiratory airways and strengthen the immune system.
Ron