Recipe for honey patch to ease congestion and coughs

For parents, a cough can be one of the most worrisome symptoms, especially if it's making it difficult for the little one to sleep at night. Long-lasting coughs can be even more difficult for both parent and child. Chronic cough (a cough lasting more than two weeks) is one of the most common reasons people head to the doctor, according to Harvard Health Publications. 

Coughing is actually a good sign that your body is working hard to fight against an invader. The act of coughing removes mucus and other foreign debris from your respiratory system, according to Harvard. Still, coughing is uncomfortable, especially if it lasts for a long time. If you want to avoid cough medication (or it doesn't seem to help), you may want to try a honey wrap. 

A honey wrap takes advantage of the natural medicinal properties in your favorite gooey sugar substitute. Dr. Pradeep Raul, a pediatrician with Kinder Clinic, told The Asian Parent that while there is currently no data showing the effectiveness of honey as a topical application, honey is effective in treating coughs when taken orally. He also noted that honey contains antioxidant properties.

Try this simple recipe from Fit Body Center the next time your or your little one gets a nagging cough:

In a bowl, combine raw honey with a bit of flour until you get powdery type mixture. There should be enough flour that the honey does not stick to your hands. Add a little vegetable oil and roll the honey into the flour one more time. 

Place your honey/flour mixture onto a napkin or other cloth, and wrap it in gauze or cheese cloth. Place the patch in the center of the chest (away from the heart) and secure with medical tape.

Living Traditionally recommends applying the patch to a child a few hours before bedtime and then removing it before they go to sleep. They also suggest adults wear it all night to increase the effectiveness. 

One mom took to Facebook to share her experience with this natural cough remedy, "For the last two weeks or more, Baby J has been coughing ... he is mostly coughing in the night + some running nose," Rachel Lim wrote. 

She noted that she adjusted the recipe to include ginger juice and waterproof dressing. "Usually about 2-3 hours into his sleep, he will start coughing profusely and whine. Last night I [placed] the wrap for four hours. I never heard anything from him, no nasal block, no phlegm sound!"

*Note: They honey wrap is not an oral treatment. 

Have you ever tried honey as a cough remedy? Did it work? Share your thoughts in the comments below.