Apple Cider Vinegar

Coughs, as you may know, are our bodiesʼ way of moving a virus, bacteria, fungus, pollen or foreign body outof our airways. As we cough, air is forcedout of our lungs and along with it, anyintruder that might be causing trouble.

As physiologically useful as coughs can be, coughing tends to be uncomfortable and let’s be honest: annoying. Since The American Academy of Pediatrics began advising against the use of over the counter cough suppressants for children and infants, many parents are left wondering what they can do to ease their child’s cough. Luckily, there are many naturopathic therapies that help soothe a cough and support the body’s innate ability to remove germs and boost the immune system. We will focus on the benefits of apple cider vinegar and elderberry remedies that you can prepare and administer at home.

Vinegar is truly a magic potion. We’ve all seen My Big Fat Greek Wedding right? (right!?) Quick synopsis: Gus Portokalos (father of the bride) believes Windex will cure all ills; any physical complaint the characters had in the movie would most likely result in a drive-by spraying of Windex from Gus. Trust me, it’s hilarious. (Also I am not advocating Windex usage on well… anything.) In my perspective, apple cider vinegar is synonymous to the Windex cure all of My Big Fat Greek Wedding; it’s good for just about everything. So it comes as no surprise that apple cider vinegar is also a great treatment for coughs.

Facts: Apple cider vinegar (ACV) has profound benefits in the management of all coughs but especially dry cough. ACV is antibacterial and antiviral with astringent properties, which in turn helps control the spread of infection in the throat. ACV is also a natural anti-inflammatory with soothing properties that help reduce pain and irritation in the throat and chest. It contains essential nutrients, enzymes and amino acids which help boost the immune system, promoting quick relief from coughing.

ADD SOME HERBS TO THE MIX

Did you know that vinegar can be infused with herbs to create wonderful alcohol-free extracts? While not as potent as alcohol based tinctures, an herbal vinegar extract is a great alternative for the whole family. In my experience, dried herbs tend to produce a more effective herbal vinegar extract for medicinal value but fresh herbs can also be used to make nutritive vinegars.

A few of my favorite herbs for cough in kids:

Elderberry is an immune modulating herb which means it stimulates the immune system. It’s also an expectorant, diaphoretic (fever reducer), antihistamine, antioxidant, antimicrobial and antiviral.

Mullein leaf is an expectorant which means it helps the body expel congestion, it’s also a demulcent which means it can be soothing to irritated tissues. Mullein leaf is recommended for both dry and productive coughs.

Marshmallow root is great for dry irritation, as an expectorant and antispasmodic with anti-inflammatory demulcent properties. Wonderful to soothe dry coughs.

Wild cherry bark is considered an antitussive (cough inhibitor). Wild cherry bark can help relieve nervous habitual coughing.

herbal vinegar cough remedy

1/2-1 tsp. wild cherry bark 1 tbsp. mullein leaf 1/2 tbsp. echinacea 1/2 tbsp. elderberry 1 tbsp. marshmallow root

step 1 chop or grind your dried herbs to a coarse powder. fill 1/5 of your sterilized jar with the herb. pour organic raw apple cider vinegar over the herbs until the jar is filled to the top. cover tightly and allow to extract for 14 days in a cool, dark place. be sure to shake the jar daily.

step 2 after 2 weeks, strain the herb through cheesecloth. set the strained liquid in a capped jar on a shelf and allow the sediment to settle overnight. decant the clear liquid layer into another sterilized jar using a strainer. cap tightly, label, and store for up to 6 months in a cool, dark place.

regardless if you are an herb savvy mama or a swig from the apple cider vinegar bottle maiden, your family can benefit greatly from acv. in addition, if you call your herbal tincture or dose of apple cider vinegar a potion your child’s willingness to take it will greatly improve, or honey, just mix it with honey.

Can’t find the time for an herbal infusion? Just take a spoonful before bed each night followed by a spoonful of honey.51