Article: Honey is an effective way to suppress a cough and soothe a sore throat. If you can, add ginger powder for quick relief. Several studies have found that honey is at least as effective at reducing cough than over-the-counter drugs, and is sometimes more effective. Honey helps coat and soothe mucous membranes. It can be very helpful right before going to bed if the cough is making it hard to sleep.  It's good for adults and children, but do not give honey to children under the age of 1 since it could increase the risk of infant botulism.  You can take the honey directly. Try 1 tablespoon every few hours while your cough persists. Another option is to add 1 tablespoon or more to a glass of warm tea with lemon. Some studies suggest that honey is as effective as a cough suppressant as dextromethorphan, an ingredient commonly used in many over-the-counter cough suppressants. Licorice root tea soothes your airways, helps ease inflammation, and loosens mucus. To make it, place 2 tablespoons of dried licorice root in a mug and pour 8 ounces of boiling water into the mug. Steep for 10-15 minutes. Drink twice daily.  Don't drink licorice root tea if you are on steroids or have kidney problems. The active ingredient, Glycyrrhiza, can cause negative side effects for some people, especially those with high blood pressure. Look for DGL, or deglycyrrhizinated licorice, at your health food or drug store. It is just as effective. Thyme is used in some countries, like Germany, for a variety of respiratory ailments. Thyme helps relax throat muscles and reduce inflammation. Boil water and place the water and 2 teaspoons of crushed thyme in a cup for 10 minutes. Strain before drinking.  Add honey and lemon for extra soothing properties. It may also help make the taste more pleasant. Do not use thyme oil internally. Use dried or fresh thyme. If you do not have any cough drops on hand or would prefer to stay away from medicated lozenges, you can usually soothe and stop a cough by sucking on a piece of hard candy.  A dry cough that produces no phlegm can be halted by nearly any piece of hard candy. Hard candy causes you to produce more saliva and to swallow more, thereby suppressing your cough. If you have a wet cough that does produce phlegm, lemon drops tend to work well.  Hard candy is an effective cough remedy for children ages 6 and older. Don't give hard candy or lozenges to children under 3, as they could choke. Turmeric is a traditional cough remedy that many people have found effective for coughs. Try mixing half a teaspoon of turmeric powder in a glass of warm milk. You can also try turmeric powder and a teaspoon of honey for dry cough. To make turmeric tea, add a tablespoon of turmeric powder into 4 cups of boiling water. Let it steep, then strain. Mix with some lemon and honey for additional cough-relieving properties. Ginger helps loosen mucus. Both ginger and peppermint can suppress the irritation in the back of your throat that triggers coughs. Add honey to this mixture for an even more effective remedy.  Add 3 tablespoons of chopped ginger and 1 tablespoon of dried peppermint to 4 cups of water. Boil the water, then reduce the heat. Simmer until it has been reduced, then strain. Let it cool for a few minutes, then add a cup of honey, stirring until completely dissolved. Take 1 tablespoon every few hours. This can be refrigerated up to 3 weeks.  You can drop a piece of peppermint candy into lemon juice. Heat it in a small saucepan until the candy dissolves. Try adding honey, too. Add 1 tablespoon 15 ml) honey to this mixture and stir to combine. Combining essential oils with steam can help you inhale the oils and reap the benefits. Try tea tree oil and eucalyptus oil, both of which are known to soothe airways and open passages. They also contain anti-viral, anti-bacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties which helps fight bacteria and viruses.  Boil water and place it in a bowl. Let it cool for about a minute. Add 3 drops of tea tree oil and 1-2 drops of eucalyptus oil. Stir. Lean over and cover your head with a towel to trap the steam. Breathe deeply for 5-10 minutes 2-3 times daily. Just make sure not to lean close enough to the water to burn your face on the steam.  Do not take tea tree oil internally. It is toxic when ingested. If you're interested in an effective cough syrup that is strictly for adults only, you can mix a little whiskey into your mug of warm lemon water. While the alcohol is not likely to have any effect on your cough, it can help you relax.  Mix 2 ounces (60 ml) of bourbon whiskey, 2 ounces (60 ml) of lemon juice, and 2 to 4 ounces (60 to 125 ml) of water in a microwave-safe mug. Heat in the microwave for 45 seconds. Whisk 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of honey into the mixture and microwave for another 45 seconds. If you have a cough caused by the cold or flu, you could try making a batch of this traditional Korean cold remedy. It combines dried jujubes with spices, honey, and several other beneficial ingredients.  Combine 25 dried jujubes (sliced), 1 large Asian pear (quartered and seeded), a 3-inch (7.6-cm) piece of ginger (sliced), 2 to 3 cinnamon sticks, and 3 quart (2.8 L) of water in a large saucepan. Cover and heat on medium-high until it begins to boil. Reduce the heat to medium-low and let simmer for 1 hour. Strain the juice and discard the other ingredients. Add 1 to 2 tablespoon (15 to 30 ml) of honey to sweeten the tea. Enjoy a warm mug of this remedy to soothe your throat and stop your cough within minutes. One of the most simple things you can do is try to relax your body and take deep breaths. Salt water is used to help relieve sore throats, but can also help with coughs by helping the swelling go down and dislodge phlegm. Mix 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of salt in 8 ounces of warm water, dissolve completely, and then gargle for 15 seconds. Spit out the gargle, and repeat until all the water is gone. Apple cider vinegar is a good way to get rid of a cough without drugs.  You can heat it and drink it like tea with an added teaspoon of honey, or drink it cold with apple juice.
What is a summary of what this article is about?
Use honey. Drink licorice root tea. Try thyme tea. Enjoy a piece of hard candy. Try turmeric. Dissolve peppermint and ginger in lemon juice. Try essential oils. Make a bourbon-based cough syrup. Try a traditional Korean folk remedy. Gargle salt water. Try apple cider vinegar.