Grandma knew best. Doctors in the UK have proposed new guidelines for treating coughs. At the top of the list is an age-old homemade remedy: drinking a hot drink with honey and possibly lemon and ginger. The new guidelines say there is some limited evidence that it can help improve cough symptoms.

The new guidelines urge the use of honey and over-the-counter medication as a patient’s first line of treatment. Often coughs will improve on their own within a couple weeks.

The purpose of the new guidelines is to cut down on the use of antibiotics in the treatment of coughs. Most coughs are created by viruses which can’t be treated by antibiotics, but antibiotics are commonly prescribed regardless. The health community is concerned about the over-prescribing of antibiotics and the creation of drug-resistant superbugs.

The new guidelines come from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence and the Public Health England.

Here is TipHero’s favorite cough suppressant drink:

DETOX LEMONADE
Serves 1
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes

You’ll Need
– 1 slice lemon
– Juice of half a lemon (about 1 to 1½ tablespoons)
– 1 teaspoon honey
– Pinch cayenne
– Pinch ground ginger
– Pinch ground cloves
– 1 cup hot water

How To

Note
You can, obviously, use 1 lemon for both the juice and the lemon slice. This recipe can use the juice of the whole lemon if you like, so adjust according to your personal tastes.