Stubborn winter cough in kids: I tried this desi remedy and it worked!

Come winter and the one thing that remains a constant apart from the chill in the air is your child's runny nose and that stubborn winter cough that just refuses to go away.

Being a mother of a six-year-old, I can easily say that stubborn winter cough, in particular, can be a nightmare to deal with especially when it involves kids that refuse to gulp down bitter medicines and sour cough syrups.

But don't fret as this is the time when you can rely on those numerous desi home remedies that have been passed down to you one generation after the other.

So this winter when my daughter's stubborn winter cough refused to wear down, I decided to use one home remedy that my mother relied on every time we were down with a pesky winter cough. And you don't need to rush to the supermarket to buy the ingredients as they can be found lying on your kitchen shelves.

All you need for this magical home remedy to beat stubborn winter cough is honey (shehed) and kali mirch, which is commonly known as black pepper.

Honey has been used since time immemorial to treat a cough and colds in kids. Not only is it a part of various cough syrup, there are many pieces of research that support its efficacy as a cough suppressant and say that it might be better than many over-the-counter cough syrups.

Well-known for its therapeutic properties, honey contains antibacterial compounds and antioxidants that boost your immune system and prevent cough.

One prominent research by the US National Institutes of Health in 2014 found that a single dose of honey might reduce mucus secretion and reduce cough in children.

Black pepper, on the other hand, is packed with vitamin C, flavonoids and antioxidants that boost the immunity and also stimulates circulation and mucus flow. In fact, this remedy also finds a prime spot in ancient Chinese medicine.

You can use black pepper and honey combo to reduce stubborn winter cough in your child in two ways:

• Take a pinch of freshly ground black pepper powder and add to a teaspoon of honey. Mix and ask your child to have it with warm water twice daily, especially before going to bed.
• Add a few peppercorns to a cup of warm water and add a tablespoon of honey to it. Let it brew for 2-3 minutes and ask your child to have this tea two to three times a day.

Advisory: Please consult your child's paediatrician when using anything for the first time. Also, honey is not recommended for babies younger than one year. While this remedy has been recommended by the author, there is no guarantee that the results would be the same for everyone.

Read: How to use ajwain seeds to treat cough and cold in babies