Items from your pantry can offer an alternative remedy
The holidays are full of family, friends and good cheer. All the fun and festivities, however, seem to go hand in hand with a present none of us wants — the common cold.
There’s no joy to be found in the common cold, and I’ve long been intrigued by any home remedy that claims to alleviate its symptoms. Several years ago, I shared a recipe for throat-soothing honey lollipops, which received much positive feedback. Easy as they are, sometimes we need relief ASAP. A quick cough syrup variation passed along by a friend seemed like a welcome option.
My younger son was the first to try the homemade concoction when he caught a cold a few months ago. It didn’t cure his cold, but he thought the mildly tangy syrup eased his symptoms. Though he didn’t fully embrace the taste, he welcomed intermittent spoonfuls, thinking they helped.
A few days later, I took a dose at the first sign of a scratchy throat and by the next day felt fine. A good night’s sleep likely helped, too, but I sensed our new potion had merit.
Since I’m not a doctor, I asked my good friend and pediatrician Pia Fenimore, who writes a column for the Health & Fitness section in this section of the Sunday LNP, what she thought of the concoction, which relies on four convenient pantry ingredients that have long been associated with healing properties. Could there be a real benefit, or was any perceived improvement merely a placebo effect?
Without hesitation, Pia claimed to be a fan, saying she would much rather people treat their cold symptoms in the kitchen than in the pharmacy. For example, several studies have shown that a teaspoon of honey can effectively calm coughs and soothe sore throats. Honey should never be given to a child under the age
of 1 due to the risk of botulism. In older children, however, it can be a safe way to provide relief from viral-induced coughs — and very few children will complain about the taste!
For centuries we have also known that ginger has multiple healing effects. Its anti-inflammatory properties are useful in the treatment of many conditions, including arthritis and the common cold. Ginger also accumulates in the gastrointestinal tract, helping to cure nausea and upset stomachs.
Pia mentioned anecdotal evidence supporting cayenne pepper’s ability to clear sinuses, noting how spicy food irritates the mucous membranes of the nose and makes it run. In the same vein, many people report that cayenne pepper relieves sinus pressure by draining the nose.
Apple cider vinegar has long been considered a natural folk remedy, although there is less evidence as to how this inexpensive pantry staple affects the common cold.
Armed with Pia’s medical insight, I adjusted the ingredient ratios, placing more emphasis on those she favored. Happily, this resulted in improved taste. The tart vinegar cuts the sweetness of honey, but you could certainly omit for those who prefer a sweeter option. Similarly, the cayenne pepper could be reduced by half, or even eliminated, for those who are sensitive to spicy food. (I’d describe the taste as spicy, sweet and lightly medicinal, but still better than the over- the-counter syrups I’ve tried.)
Pia added that the efficacy of over-the-counter cold medicines has not been well-documented and that they, like all medications, can have side effects, some of which can be dangerous. In her words, this homemade remedy is safer, less expensive and tastes better than most cold medicines, so even if the benefit of this remedy is merely a placebo effect, she’s all for it.
Of course, some of the best things you can do to stay healthy this winter are wash your hands frequently, get plenty of sleep, eat a lot of fruits and vegetables, exercise and get a flu shot!
