It doesn't matter what season it is, having a cold is weary business. When you’re sick with a cold, flu or sinusitis, you will often find yourself full of phlegm and stuck with a stuffy nose. But these seemingly unpleasant symptoms are actually helping you fight the illness, because your body produces more mucus to increase your levels of antiseptic enzymes and antibodies. The gushing nose also helps flush out germs, while simultaneously making it difficult for other bacteria to enter. But when this happens, your nasal passages are likely to become inflamed and your chest will usually feel congested.
While it's great that your body fights the virus, it’s still an uncomfortable situation, and you will be grateful for some relief. A decongestant can help thin out the mucus and reduce its production, while an expectorant can loosen the phlegm and help you cough it out. Although you can buy decongestants and expectorants at the pharmacy, they’re often loaded with other ingredients that can make you drowsy. Here is a recipe for a natural decongestant and expectorant to save your day (and night).
This recipe is made using cayenne pepper, honey and ginger, all recognized expectorants that can loosen phlegm and mucus, so you can expel it from your body more easily. For decongestion, the capsaicin in cayenne pepper (the component that makes it spicy) helps relieve the swelling and inflammation that narrows your nasal passages. Apple cider vinegar and lemon are also added to the mixture because of their decongestant properties. Apple cider vinegar serves to thin the mucus that’s secreted, allowing for congested areas to be drained; while lemon juice is also known to help with congestion, apart from giving the mixture a more pleasant taste.
Ingredients
½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
½ teaspoon powdered ginger
3 tablespoons honey
¼ cup lemon juice
¼ cup apple cider vinegar
Directions
Pour the lemon juice and apple cider vinegar in a pot and bring it to a simmer.
Stir in the honey, cayenne pepper and ginger.
Pour the contents into a jar and store in a cool, dry place.
Dosage
Adults can take 1 or 2 tablespoons daily, as needed. Shake the jar well before using.
Tip: Warming the mixture can be a pleasant way to consume this tonic.
Subscribe and REMOVE ALL ADS
LOVE our articles but HATE our ads? For only $3.89 per month, enjoy a seamless, ad-free experience that lets you focus on what matters most — enjoying all of our content, uninterrupted. 🔒 100% Secure Payment 📅 Cancel Anytime, No Strings Attached Unlock a cleaner, faster browsing experience today and gain the freedom to navigate without visual clutter.
Ready for a Ad-Free experience? Upgrade now for just $3.89/month!
To enable your Ad-Free Subscription, please fill the fields below
Thank you for your subscription!
Your subscription was successful, now you can enjoy an ad-free experience!! Note: To make sure you get no ads, please make sure to log in to your account. If you are logged in already, then refresh the page. The subscription can be cancelled at any time.
This content is reserved for our members
Join Our Community for FREE and Enjoy:
Full and free access to ALL content.
The 'Daily Mail' service sends the highest quality and the most fascinating content directly to your inbox.
Go to BabaMail
