It is a brand-new year and a brand-new winter season. We all know what that means. With five kids, I know at least one will catch a cold or a cough this season. Of course, when one is ill, we are all at risk of catching some icky sickies. As you know, if you have a cold or sinus infection, you may experience postnasal drip. This may irritate your throat and give way to chest congestion. Next thing you know, you have a cough. For all my Crunchy Mamas out there, few things make you feel as bad as when your littles are suffering from a cough you can’t seem to alleviate. We’re talking about lack of sleep on top of feeling cruddy.
While you may be aware of many of the traditional home remedies for cough, such as raw honey or essential oils, to name a few, I want to introduce another tool for your cough-fighting arsenal: onion tea. It is not as harsh as it sounds, and it really works! Plus, it is very quick and easy to make.
Onion tea for cough is a remedy that spans generations. Our grandparents and great-grandparents relied on it. You see, onions are jam-packed with immunity-boosting properties such as vitamin C, antioxidants, iron, and magnesium. Plus, onions are usually available all year round. You can make onion tea with the onion itself or onion peels. How cool is that? If you’re adding onions to your favorite soup or stew, save the peels for some onion tea.
Homemade Onion Tea
Onion tea works to stop a cough in its tracks because it helps reduce inflammation and increase hydration, two very important immunity components.
Ingredients
- 2 medium-sized onions, sliced in quarters with skin on
- 4 cups of water
- Honey or your chosen sweetener to taste
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, bring your water to a boil.
- Add onions and reduce heat. Let sit and simmer for about an hour.
- Strain the liquid, separating the onion and pieces of onion from the water.
- Pour the liquid into your favorite cup and add a sweetener such as raw honey to taste. Sip and enjoy.
Notes
- Drink several times a day to reduce and eliminate cough.
- You can also turn your onion tea into an onion broth by adding fresh vegetables such as potatoes and carrots. This way, you can enjoy onion tea, onion soup, and onion stew! Reap the tasty benefits of this powerful food.
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Why Does Onion Tea Work?
We already talked about the vitamins, and antioxidants onions offer. However, onion tea works to stop a cough in its tracks because it helps reduce inflammation and increase hydration, two very important immunity components. Onions are also made up of quercetin, a polyphenol linked to mental and physical performance and reduced risk of infection.
Onions also contain quercetin, which helps the body’s immune response. When it comes to a cold or congestion, the smelly quality of onions works as a natural expectorant. You can even make your own onion poultice to ease chest congestion.
Beyond Onion Tea for Cough
Once you kick the crud to the curb, you may want to clean and reinvigorate your nose and lungs. After all, your body worked hard to beat the infection that caused your symptoms in the first place. One of the best ways to clean and refresh your nasal passages and lungs is to try salt therapy.
You can try dry salt therapy, relaxing in an active salt room while breathing in pharmaceutical-grade dry salt. Or you can try wet salt therapy with a Neti Pot or inhaler.
Salt therapy is pretty simple. There are two types: dry salt therapy and wet salt therapy. Dry salt therapy in an active salt room is a 100% natural remedy where you breathe in pharmaceutical-grade dry salt in a relaxing environment. A halo generator emits microscopic salt particles into the room as you breathe deep, inviting those particles into your lungs. Salt therapy is safe for babies, children, and adults of any age. Sometimes, the salt therapy environment is equipped with books, games, and other comfort items you can enjoy during treatment. Salt has antibacterial, antimicrobial, and antifungal properties, making it the perfect treatment for all upper respiratory issues.
Can’t your little one stomach the onion tea? Sometimes their gentle taste buds may report it tastes too much like medicine. If so, try egg whites. No, not egg white tea! I make an egg white froth and dip my kids’ socks into the mixture before placing them on their feet. I usually get a giggle or two because the wet sock feels weird. But within an hour or two, the fever goes down.
Honestly, I prefer these natural methods over your drugstore chemical compound ones. However, if your child’s fever doesn’t go down or someone has the cough for more than a few days with little to no relief, it is time to call your doctor and see what else you can do for relief. I like to start with natural remedies first, but as a nurse, I am well aware of the power and importance of medicine.
Prevention is Key
During cold and flu season, make sure you wash your hands with soap and water often. Eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables to soak up the nutrients necessary to keep your immune system healthy and strong. Drink plenty of fresh water to hydrate your body, and bundle up if you’re going out into cold or harsh weather. Taking small steps to support your body through cold and flu season will help you and your family minimize your risk of getting a severe illness.
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