How To Fight A Cough With A Honey Pepper Tea
A combination of black pepper and honey may help reduce coughs. Both ingredients are expectorant and would help soothe irritation in the respiratory tract. Find out how to prepare it.
Coughing is an uncomfortable symptom that usually appears in conjunction with infections that affect the respiratory system. It occurs as a reaction of the immune system to the attack of viruses and bacteria. Did you know that you could combat cough symptoms with a honey pepper tea?
Natural medicine maintains that both ingredients reduce irritation of the bronchial tubes and promote the expulsion of phlegm. But what is true in this statement? Find out.
Fight a cough with a cinnamon pepper tea
Fighting a cough with a pepper and cinnamon tea would have interesting benefits. These natural ingredients have been used since ancient times as allies to improve respiratory health. In fact, experts in Ayurvedic medicine often indicate its consumption in cases of flu, colds, bronchitis and other conditions.
Each can be used individually to relieve discomfort such as a sore throat, phlegm or chest congestion, among others. However, combined, their benefits would be enhanced.
Benefits of black pepper
Although all varieties of pepper would bring health benefits, in this particular case it is proposed to use black pepper. Coming from the native Indian plant Piper nigrum, it has been classified as “the queen of spices” due to its interesting properties.
An article published in the Journal of Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition explains that the piperine compound present in black pepper has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. Thus, this substance would help stop the effects of free radicals on cells and, therefore, prevent the development of chronic diseases.
On the other hand, it is believed that its regular intake would contribute to the adequate absorption of other nutrients, which would be key to strengthening the functions of the immune system. In this way, it would support the body in the fight against irritants and pathogens that affect respiratory health.
Benefits of honey
Honey is one of the foods most used by alternative medicine for the relief of dry and phlegmatic coughs. In fact, there is scientific research to back up its benefits. Even a 2010 clinical trial found that honey would work better than two common cough medications: dextromethorphan and diphenhydramine.
This organic ingredient has antibiotic properties that would help treat bacterial infections, as the study Honey: its medicinal property and antibacterial activity points out .
It is also antiviral and antiseptic, which would be key to alleviating the symptoms of lung conditions. Likewise, this study also confirms that it has anti-inflammatory effects.
For all these reasons, honey might be one of the best supplements to relieve sore throat, excess phlegm production, and other symptoms that accompany coughs. The best thing is that it would be effective in both children and adult patients.
Fight a cough with a tea of pepper and honey
To combat a cough with a honey pepper tea, you should combine the two ingredients in water. Additionally , you can add lemon and ginger, two ingredients that would also provide benefits for the relief of this symptom.
For example, in the book Herbal Medicine it is explained that ginger has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, while lemon offers an antimicrobial effect.
Ingredients
- 1/2 lemon juice.
- Honey from bees (15 g).
- 2 cups of water (500 ml).
- 1 teaspoon of ginger (5 g).
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper (5 g).
Preparation
- To start, pour the cups of water into a pot and bring them to a boil.
- When it reaches its boiling point, add the teaspoon of black pepper, the lemon juice and the ginger.
- Cover the drink and let it sit at room temperature for 10 minutes.
- Then, strain it through a fine strainer and add the honey.
Consumption mode
- Divide the drink to have 3 servings throughout the day.
- Start with a cup of tea on an empty stomach and repeat the dose before main meals.
- Take it until your cough is completely controlled.
Important! Before fighting a cough with a tea …
Although this cough remedy could be effective, it should not be ignored that it is contraindicated in some cases. Avoid drinking the drink if you have intestinal diseases such as Crohn’s disease and irritable bowel disease.
Also, take it under medical supervision if you are pregnant, breastfeeding or under any medical treatment. Do not take more than the indicated amount, as too much could be harmful.
And of course, last but not least, if you have doubts, consult with the professional before taking it. Remember that if the cough persists over time, you should go to the doctor’s office to confirm that it is not a symptom of a major problem.
