Garlic and Onions: Natural Allies for Cough and Lung Support
When it comes to soothing a stubborn cough or supporting lung health naturally, few kitchen staples are as powerful as garlic and onions. Both are rich in plant compounds that have been valued in traditional medicine for centuries, offering natural ways to ease congestion, support immunity, and promote clearer breathing.
Garlic: A Natural Ally for Lung Support
Garlic isn’t just a flavorful ingredient—it’s a powerhouse of wellness. The key compound in garlic, allicin, forms when cloves are crushed or chopped. This natural compound has antimicrobial, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory properties, which may help the body fight respiratory infections and soothe irritated airways.
Garlic has long been used to loosen mucus, clear airways, and support easier breathing, especially during seasonal coughs or colds.
Simple ways to use garlic for cough relief:
Garlic Honey Syrup: Crush 3–4 garlic cloves and mix with 2 tablespoons of raw honey. Let it rest for a few hours or overnight. Take 1 teaspoon up to three times daily to calm coughs.
Garlic Steam Inhalation: Boil a few crushed cloves in water, remove from heat, and gently inhale the steam (carefully). This may help loosen chest congestion.
Garlic in Soups or Broths: Add garlic to warm soups with onions, herbs, and vegetables for a soothing, healing meal that comforts both throat and lungs.
Onions: A Gentle Expectorant with a Sweet Side
Onions contain quercetin, a powerful antioxidant that may help reduce inflammation in the respiratory tract. Their natural sulfur and mucolytic compounds make them effective for thinning mucus and supporting easier breathing.
Home remedies using onions:
Onion Cough Syrup: Layer raw onion slices with honey in a jar and let sit for 8–12 hours. Strain and take a spoonful 2–3 times daily.
Onion Tea: Simmer chopped onion in 2 cups of water for 15–20 minutes. Strain, add lemon and honey, and sip warm.
Roasted Onion Wrap: Mash a roasted onion, wrap in a warm cloth, and place on the chest for 15–20 minutes (not too hot) to ease congestion.
Together, garlic and onions form a time-tested, natural duo for respiratory relief—simple, soothing, and right from your kitchen. 🌿