How to Prepare a Comforting Drink
If you want to try a warm garlic, lemon, and honey drink as a comfort measure, here’s a simple approach:
- Warm the water. Heat about one cup of water until it’s warm but not boiling. Very hot water can degrade some of honey’s qualities and may irritate an already sore throat.
- Add the lemon. Squeeze in a small amount of fresh lemon juice — a teaspoon or two is plenty. Adjust to taste.
- Stir in the honey. Add one to two teaspoons of honey and stir until dissolved.
- Add garlic if you wish. Some people like to crush a small clove of garlic and let it steep in the warm drink for a few minutes before straining it out. Be aware that the flavor will be strong, and that raw garlic can upset some people’s stomachs.
- Sip slowly. Drink it while it’s warm, and let the warmth and honey soothe your throat.
If the garlic flavor is too much for you, it’s perfectly fine to leave it out. The honey and warm water are the parts of this drink that are most likely to help you feel better.
Other Comfort Measures That May Help
While no kitchen remedy can cure a cough, several simple measures can help you feel more comfortable while your body recovers:
- Stay hydrated. Drinking enough fluids helps keep your throat moist and can thin mucus, making it easier to clear.
- Use a humidifier. Dry air can irritate your throat and make coughing worse. A humidifier in your bedroom can help.
- Try steam. Sitting in a steamy bathroom or breathing warm, moist air can ease throat irritation.
- Rest. Your body needs energy to recover. Sleep and rest give it the best chance.
- Avoid irritants. Smoke, strong fragrances, and cleaning fumes can all make a cough worse.
- Elevate your head at night. Sleeping with your head slightly propped up can reduce postnasal drip and make nighttime coughing less frequent.
- Sip warm liquids. Warm tea, broth, or water with honey can soothe an irritated throat.
When to See a Doctor
A cough is usually a symptom of a temporary illness, but some coughs need medical attention. Contact a healthcare professional if you experience any of the following:
- A cough that lasts more than three weeks
- Coughing up blood
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Chest pain
- Fever that doesn’t go away
- Unexplained weight loss
- Night sweats
- A cough that worsens over time rather than improving
- Wheezing or a whistling sound when you breathe
These symptoms can have many causes, and some of them require treatment. A persistent cough should always be evaluated by a professional rather than managed indefinitely at home.
See more on the next page
