This is a post from three years ago, that certainly bears repeating. I imbibed a good bit of this stuff during my battle with the plague and it really did help.
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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 about “The 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.
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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 about “The 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.
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.
5 comments:
sounds great - sharing! Feel better soon okay.
Growing up I used to get bronchitis every winter. My husband introduced me to this combo when we were married. If nothing else it helps you sleep like a baby! :)
Glad you are getting better.
Love all the combinations. Thank you for sharing and will keep this recipe at hand. Hope you feel better!
I was just thinking about calling in sick today - but mine is a cold, not the flu. Yet. Maybe I should get to the liquor store before things go too far south for me, too...
I am amazed at that concoction - it sounds good and right. I am saving it for the next time we get sick. And I actually like the taste of gin. ;)
Glad to see you back Pattie. :)
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