Onion Tea, Donkey Milk & 5 Natural Cures for Cough and Lung Infections
The remedies that saved my child when modern medicine couldn’t
There was a time when I trusted modern medicine. But when it failed, I turned to natural remedies for cough in children that ended up saving my daughter’s lungs
By trusting prescriptions, pharmacy shelves, and the crisp white coat… I completely ignored nature, as if grandma’s old recipes were “weak” or “silly.”
Oh, how wrong I was…!
When my little girl was just 4 months old, she developed a cough. Not just any cough, a monstrous, body-shaking, all-night, vomit-everything-she-ate kind of cough. Weeks turned into months, months rolled into almost two years.
We tried everything:
✔ Hospitals? Check.
✔ Antibiotics: oral and intravenous? Check.
✔ Every single cough syrup on the market? Double check.
And still, the cough clung to her like a stubborn ghost. Until one day, after yet another hospital stay, another round of IV antibiotics, and an X-ray showing her tiny lungs were already being damaged…
I hit the wall.
I whispered, “Enough.”
The Grandma’s Recipe That Saved Us: Onion Tea
I went back to my roots.
Literally.
Two onions, to be exact.
Here’s the recipe that turned everything around:
✅ Take 2 whole onions (with skin!), wash, and slice them.
✅ Boil in filtered or spring water for about 10–15 minutes.
✅ Cool slightly (below 40°C), pour into a baby bottle or cup.
✅ Optional: Add a little honey, but only when it’s warm, not hot, to keep the enzymes intact.
👉 Warning: It smells… like boiled onions. No surprise there.
I hid it in baby bottles, added a little honey charm, and somehow, my little one drank it. Within a week, she was bouncing back. Every time the cough peeked its head again, I brewed another batch.
Within months, she was cured… and now, over a year later, she’s still cough-free.
But Why Does Onion Tea Work So Well?
Here’s the nerdy-but-awesome part:
- Natural expectorant: Onions contain sulfur compounds + quercetin, which thin mucus, making it easier to cough out.
- Antimicrobial fighter: Onion’s natural antibiotics (like allicin) help kill bacteria + viruses.
- Anti-inflammatory boost: Onions calm swollen airways, easing breathing + irritation.
- Soothing vapors: Even the smell can suppress cough reflex (folk wisdom often recommends leaving cut onions by the bed!).
- Onion-honey syrup: Layer raw onion + honey in a jar, let infuse 24 hours, then take by the spoonful to coat + soothe the throat.
In short?
Onions are humble cough-busting warriors disguised as sandwich toppers.
The Magic Bonus: Donkey Milk
Now here’s where people raise an eyebrow.
Yes – donkey milk.
I gave my daughter about 130 ml every evening. (Yes, it’s expensive. Yes, it’s special. But oh yes, it’s worth it.)
Why is donkey milk amazing?
Immune-boosting superpowers: Packed with lysozyme + lactoferrin, proteins that fight microbes + strengthen the immune response.
Anti-inflammatory + antioxidant magic: Rich in vitamins A, D, E + omega-3s, it calms lung inflammation + eases breathing.
Ancient lung remedy: Used for centuries to treat whooping cough, bronchitis, asthma – even today, people in places like Bolivia line up for fresh donkey milk in winter.
Gentle + human-like: It’s the closest thing to human breast milk, making it easy to digest + packed with immune-friendly compounds.
Yes, it’s not cheap, but when it came to my little one’s healing, this liquid gold played a big part.
5 Other Natural Remedies You Can Try
If you can’t get donkey milk or just want extra natural backup, here are five easy-to-find remedies that help respiratory infections + coughs:
🌿 Garlic: Fresh crushed garlic releases allicin, a natural antibiotic + mucus thinner.
🌿 Ginger: Gingerol in ginger reduces inflammation + relaxes airway muscles. Think warming ginger tea with honey + lemon.
🌿 Thyme: Thyme’s essential oils are antiseptic + antispasmodic, great in teas or steams for clearing mucus + calming coughs.
🌿 Peppermint: Menthol-rich, peppermint soothes the throat, opens airways, and helps break up phlegm. Perfect in tea or inhaled steam.
🌿 Raw Honey: A natural antimicrobial + anti-inflammatory, raw honey coats the throat and reduces cough frequency.
(Pro tip: don’t give honey to babies under 1 year old!)
🌸 Final Thoughts
Mamas (and papas!),
if you feel stuck, desperate, or exhausted from the endless cycle of medications,
know that nature is not weak – it’s powerful.
Onion tea + donkey milk saved my daughter’s health when modern medicine hit its limit. And they just might help you too.
If you want the detailed recipes, printable guides, or more natural tips, drop a comment or message me – I’d love to share. 💛
Stay hopeful, stay curious, and let’s futureproof our families – one simple remedy at a time.
More natural healing ideas are coming soon — check back on the blog for new posts weekly