Monday, March 2, 2015

The Remedy



I remember my mother telling me once, after emerging from a rather debilitating bout with the flu, that she felt so bad she thought she'd have to rally to die. Oh, boy, do I get that. Things started going south for me about a week ago. I'm talking way south. Like Antarctica south. What began as sniffles blossomed into a colossal headache, clogged sinuses, and sleepless night after sleepless night of relentless coughing. I plowed through boxes of tissues, drank gallons of tea, and watched a lot of Hallmark movies. I went from having my authoritative, sexy, big girl voice, to having the voice of a cartoon character, to no voice at all. In my late night bouts with delirium I started thinking aboutThe Waltons.  Yep, momma, daddy, John-Boy, the lot. I began to think about the Baldwin Sisters and the recipe, which ultimately reminded me that I had a recipe of my own.

It's an old folk remedy, but since I'm an old folk, umm, person, I can probably claim it as well as anyone. It's a cough calmer consisting of three common ingredients: honey, lemon, and gin.  My recipe makes 8 doses, and unlike the chemically-laden cough suppressants sold in drug stores, you can take this as often as needed.

There is actually science behind this combination. Gin is an effective expectorant. Lemon provides vitamin C that may strengthen the immune system. Honey has been found to be an effective cough suppressant.  Both lemon and honey have antimicrobial properties (significant ability to inhibit the growth of microbes that can cause infection). Nothing can shorten the duration of a cold, but this can treat the symptoms.

Not fond of the taste of gin?  Me neither, and I'm not all that keen on honey, but when these three ingredients come together, the taste is rather extraordinary and it goes down smooth. It is NOT, I repeat, NOT intended for children or anyone who has issues with alcohol. It is soothing, cough calming, and can help you sleep. 


Cough Remedy
2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice*
2 tablespoons good (local if you have it) honey
2 tablespoons gin

Stir ingredients together until the honey completely dissolves and is incorporated. Store in refrigerator until needed. Can easily be doubled, tripled, etc.

1 tablespoon = 1 dose

*I use my own home grown (a potted tree that I recommend everyone own) Meyer Lemons. If you don't have your own, please use fresh, organic lemons. I suggest
Melissa's.


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2 comments:

  1. Uh oh, Pattie, I hope you're feeling better!

    Home remedies are usually what I grab for when colds just won't let up. I can't stand taking all those over the counter store boughts. I like all the ingredients in this one but I'm not sure Marion does. I may give it a try though because she just can't seem to shake the one she's had for weeks now! (she's been doing honey and lemon minus the booze:)

    Thanks so much for sharing, Pattie...Get Well Soon!

    P.S. Cookbook Wednesday is starting up this week. I hope you will be able to join us when you're feeling better:)

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  2. My dad swears by this. As a child, I remember thinking it was so odd that this was his go-to remedy when my parents didn't touch alcohol otherwise. I eventually took it to mean that this remedy must really work. :) Stopped by via Amaze Me Monday!

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