
Fight Coughs Without Hallucinogens This Winter
- Is the hallucinogen in your medicine cabinet helping your cough? Probably not
- Americans spend billions on worthless treatments. Are you one of them?
- Use this synthetic-free recipe to combat cough naturally
Dear Reader,
“Are you OK?”
“Uhhh…(hack, hack, cough, hack)…maybe…”
“You should probably do something about that cough.”
“Yeah, I know. But cough syrup makes me drowsy and never seems to work.”
“I hear ya. It doesn’t really work for me either… but I think I might be getting a cough too.”
This is a conversation between two friends I overheard at the pharmacy yesterday.
Shortly after, they each bought a bottle of over-the-counter (OTC) cough syrup.
It made me chuckle, as I have had similar conversations followed by similar actions in past cough and cold seasons.
But then I started to think about it.
Does over-the-counter cough syrup actually work?
I haven’t taken it in about 10 years. But when I did take it, I don’t recall it having great results.
In fact, I more clearly remember being groggy and waking up with a headache after taking the first (and typically only) dose of it. (Lucky me though — there are worse side effects associated with the active ingredient in OTC cough syrups. I’ll discuss these in a moment.)
After my single dose, the rest of the bottle would sit in my medicine cabinet and collect dust as it waited to expire and, ultimately be disposed of.
Unfortunately, as the conversation I heard in the pharmacy points out, it seems I’m not the only one who has been let down by the ineffectiveness of over-the-counter cough syrups.
And there is science and expert opinion to validate my and the other pharmacy patrons’experiences.
We will get to that, and I will share a natural cough syrup recipe cough in just a bit.
Let’s first dive into the ingredients and potential dangers of OTC cough syrups.
Did You take PCP? Nope, Just Cough Syrup
The active ingredient in OTC cough syrups is dextromethorphan (DXM). DXM is a synthetic ingredient indicated as a cough suppressant and expectorant. It’s also used to alleviate sinus congestion, allergies, runny nose, and itchy throat.
As you may have already heard, DXM also has a reputation for recreational use as a hallucinogen.
In fact, its hallucinogenic powers rival those of PCP and ketamine. As it’s become more popular, powder and pill forms of DMX have become available for purchase on the internet. The these forms are snorted or ingested, as they are easier and quicker to consume than liquid forms.1
Sometimes DXM abuse is severe enough to cause withdrawals, including anxiety, vomiting, insomnia, and diarrhea.1
While most of us will not likely have to face the discomfort of DXM withdrawal, it seems a bit risky to ingest a substance capable of such negative health endpoints.
Common side effects for the recommended dosage can include confusion, headache, stomach pain, nausea, dizziness, and drowsiness.2
These aren’t rare medication side effects, but I would rather not run the risk of having a foggy brain or stomach ache if I have other options.
Furthermore, you might be taking this risk with no added health benefits.
Dr. Norman Edelman, M.D., a senior scientific adviser at the American Lung Association, reports:
“We’ve never had good evidence that cough suppressants and expectorants help with cough, but people are desperate to get some relief. They’re so convinced that they should work that they buy them anyway.”3
Evidence exits to support Edelman’s statement. There has not been any new approved cough remedy in over 50 years.
Health care analysts Cochrane did a review of 29 trials that involved 4835 people and reported this:
“We found no good evidence for or against the effectiveness of OTC medications in acute cough.”4
While Cochrane’s finding didn’t find OTC medications to be effective or ineffective, you may not want to take a synthetic medication with the possibility of such negative side effects without good evidence it can provide some relief.
And why waste your money?
Americans spend over $4 billion on cold and cough medications every year.5
Dr. Aaron Glatt, a spokesman for an Infectious Disease Society of America reported to USA Today:
“In a nutshell, there’s nothing that work. There’s a tremendous industry out there, and some people really swear by them. But there really aren’t great studies to show any benefit.”5
So why do most of us feel we have to shell out money every cough season for something we are probably better off putting in the trash than into our bodies?
For one-third of cold sufferers, the placebo effect may be working to alleviate symptoms.5
This may be relatable for many of us.
I certainly feel better if I take my homemade cough syrup when I hear the slightest rattle in my chest.
Whether this natural concoction is working or it’s a placebo, I will never really know.
All the ingredients have healthy properties and are in no way synthetic, so even if it’s not helping my cough biologically, it’s adding to my overall health and is certainly not causing any negative side effects (or causing me to make me hallucinate).
In fact, a study has proven that honey may reduce coughing in children over the age of one year (honey is not suggested for children under one year of age). It make sense that it may have the same effect in adults.6
Also, coconut oil has anti-microbial and anti-viral properties. Ginger provides anti-inflammatory agents and the lemon will give you a shot of vitamin C.
Now I will share how to make it.
Lemon-Honey-Ginger-Coconut Cough Syrup
Ingredients:
- 1 cup of filtered water
- 1/3 cup of local honey
- 1 tablespoon of grated fresh ginger (ground can be used as well)
- 2 tablespoons of unrefined coconut oil
- Juice of 1/2 fresh lemon.
Instructions:
- Bring water to boil in a medium saucepan.
- Reduce to simmer and add in the ginger.
- Let the mixture reduce by half and take of the burner.
- Add in honey and coconut oil and mix thoroughly.
- Squeeze in the lemon juice, mix, and let cool.
- Store the liquid in an airtight container (I use a mason jar) in the refrigerator.
This syrup is good for two months. Because the coconut oil will solidify in the fridge, be sure to stir thoroughly before taking.
I usually take a generous teaspoon when I’m suffering the beginning stages of a cough and as needed with a full-blown cough.
I also add a teaspoon to a cup of hot tea for a cough-fighting boost.
If you have any cough remedies you would like to share, write me! nmoore@lfb.org
Live well,
Natalie Moore
Managing editor, Living Well Daily
P.S. If you need a quick fix and don’t have time to make the syrup, you can always take a tablespoon or two of honey.
Sources
[2] Dextromethorphan Side Effects
[3] Cold, Flu, & Cough Health Center
[4] Over-the-counter (OTC) medications for acute cough in children and adults in community settings
[5] Are Most Cold Medications a Complete Waste of Money?
[6] Mom Was Right: Honey Can Calm a Cough

Written By Natalie Moore
Natalie Moore is a dedicated health researcher with a passion for finding healthy, natural, and science-based solutions. After a decade of direct healthcare experience in western and natural medicine, she was involved in public health research before joining Living Well Daily.
View More Free Articles
Olive Oil Compound WOWS Researchers
Olive oil has been getting some well-deserved attention the last few years. So it would be easy to assume that the golden oil’s status as a health food was recently earned. But the truth is, olive oil has been considered a healthy staple in the human diet since it was first developed 600 years ago....
NEW Medicinal Mushroom Benefit UNCOVERED
I’m a big fan of medicinal mushrooms. Almost everyone has eaten a standard mushroom on a pizza or in a spaghetti sauce, of course. But most folks have yet to experience medical mushrooms’ power to improve our health. Medicinal mushrooms are already used to treat heart, liver, and brain conditions. They can boost the immune...
[SENIORS] Cellular GLITCH Discovered?!
Aging isn’t for sissies, that’s for sure. But hey, I always remind myself the alternative is FAR worse! Besides, when you sit back and take stock, you’ll realize that a life well lived – like your own – is something to be proud of. But those accomplishments, unfortunately, don’t reduce your risk of suffering the...
Overlooked Diabetes Risk Drives Up Blood Sugar
If you’re concerned about diabetes, you’ve probably done your research. You likely focused on all the common problem areas to ward off rising blood sugar: the grocery store… the gym… and the bathroom scale. And those ARE all great places to start! Eating better, exercising, and losing weight can go a long way toward bringing your...
Boredom BUSTING Hack Keeps You Sane AND Healthy
This time of year, I start to feel a little stir-crazy. Cabin fever sets in as I tire of the cold and snow. And I start thinking about the warmer weather that’s right around the corner (but still feels SO far away). You see, I enjoy walking, hiking, and running outside. It’s good for both...
Loneliness Linked to THIS Startling Side Effect
Before the pandemic, we didn’t talk much about being lonely. But when the virus locked us down in our homes, the issue of isolation could no longer be ignored. Some of us were experiencing that kind of loneliness for the first time. But the truth is social isolation has ALWAYS been a common problem for...
MAILBAG: Ease Prostate Problems NATURALLY
“Are there any natural solutions for an enlarged prostate?” -Mike from Summerville, South Carolina Hi Mike, There are many things you can do to improve your prostate health. Eating better is the first step. This means loading up on nutritious foods, including plenty of fresh organic vegetables and lean meats. (And yes, that DOES mean...
Ditch Depression WITHOUT Drugs
You think that when you reach “your golden years,” you won’t have much to worry about anymore. After all, many of life’s major stressors, like work, kids, and relationships, are pretty much settled by the time you hit your sixties. So why the heck are we all so darned depressed then?! According to a recent...
The Ovarian Cancer Risk You NEVER Saw Coming
Cancer research is nothing new. In fact, we’ve been studying this killer since the 1800s. Yet despite all that investigating, there’s still so much we DON’T know. That’s why each time we reach a new milestone in our understanding of cancer, it should be celebrated. And a recent study has helped us make another large...
Weird Supermarket Secret BEATS Sunburn
In the winter, we tend to ignore the importance of protecting our skin from the sun’s powerful rays. But where I live, in Colorado, I see many folks come down from the ski areas with “raccoon eyes.” This happens when skiers’ faces burn, but the areas around their eyes remain pale because they wear goggles....