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Over-the-counter (OTC) cough medicines are expensive and contain ingredients that may be addictive or counter-productive. Why use them, when it's so simple to make your own? For a simple cough that would be helped by an OTC cough medicine, I have found that home-made remedies are just as effective. They're much cheaper, and you know exactly what is in them. Honey, vinegar, lemon juice and garlic are common ingredients, and there are many old-fashioned recipes to be found (just ask your grandparents!). I've found the following recipes work, and since the ingredients are all natural, there is no risk of overdose or side effects.

A simple mixture of equal quantities of lemon juice, honey, and vinegar soothes a ticklish, unproductive dry cough. A mixture of two tablespoons of brandy and two teaspoons of glycerine in a quarter cup of boiling water is equally effective and soothing. (Take a teaspoon of either of these mixtures every half hour or so.)

For a productive cough boil two or three chopped cloves of garlic (or more!) in three cups of water until the volume is reduced to around half the original volume. Strain to remove the garlic, then add one cup of honey and one cup of vinegar and let the mixture simmer for about five minutes. Strain into a bottle and allow to cool.

If a productive cough is producing greenish or yellowish sputum, you probably need antibiotics and should see a doctor. You should also see a doctor if any cough lasts more than a week with no improvement, or if the cough is accompanied by any chest pains.

Learn more about this author, Lin Edwards.
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