Cough syrup.

Date: Fri, 15 Sep 1995 20:15:39 -0400
Sender: HERB.TREARNPC.EGE.EDU.TR
From: "Claudette A. Aras" <Carras.AOL.COM>
Subject: cough syrup

Greetings. Can anyone recommend a superwhammie cough remedy they've tried and found efficacious? So far I've collected yarrow, horehound, & mullein, all of which should be great, but in what proportions? And what other ingredients might be added to up the potency? Thanks in advance. carras.

From: Howie Brounstein <howieb.TELEPORT.COM>

Claudette,

Have you tried:

A tea of

Mullein - great Lung herb should always be in a mixture for the lungs, helps stop coughing when the lungs are infected or imflammed, but lets you cough if you need to.

Osha - by far the best herb for the throat, with upper espiratory properties also. Unfortunately, the ingredients are not very water soluble, so you'll have to add tincture.

An expectorant with a light hand - not too much Coltsfoot ot Horehound, it may make you cough too much.

Perhaps something soothing and tasty like Licorice, or even hibiscus, or if by chance you have fresh lemon grass growing in your yard (don't we all?), use that too.

Perhaps even some calming herb like skullcap or a yummy Pedicularis. After all, these herbs are for spasms ... and coughing is bronchial spasms.

After straining, add an equal amount (or more) by volume of honey. This won't satisfy the US Dept. of Agriculture's definition of syrup (65% soluble sweetener I believe), but it does just fine, and is plenty sweet. Store in the refrigerator.

And go ahead and add that Yarrow if you want, but don't boil, just steep.

Just a few suggestions