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Burnt sugar for cough: treatment of child and adult
Last reviewed: 03.07.2025

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Today, there is a tendency for the number of respiratory diseases to increase. Not only the number, but also the severity of diseases increases. The number of inflammatory and infectious diseases is constantly growing, both among adults and children. It is also worth noting that the number of pharmaceuticals effective in treating various diseases is growing. However, side effects and contraindications associated with taking medications are also increasing. But in this case, folk remedies come to the rescue. For example, sugar is traditionally used for coughs. [ 1 ]
What is burnt sugar?
It is a brown-tinted sugar, can be used in cooking and confectionery, folk and even traditional medicine. It is obtained by caramelization, that is, heated until it acquires dark shades.
Does sugar help with cough?
Oddly enough, sugar is actually quite effective in treating coughs, runny noses and other diseases. It is widely used in treatment and is part of complex therapy. It is used not only as a primary means of traditional medicine, but also as an auxiliary means in pulmonology, pediatrics, therapy, and even phthisiology.
Helps with various types of cough, including dry and wet. Helps relieve the condition with suffocating cough, which accompanies allergic conditions, bronchial asthma and asthmatic bronchitis. Helps fight pulmonary obstruction, cough that develops against the background of infectious diseases such as measles, whooping cough, scarlet fever. And also with cough of allergic origin.
How does burnt sugar work for cough?
First of all, it affects the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract, promotes the expansion of the bronchopulmonary tract, alveoli, eliminates obstruction, promotes the production of surfactant, which moisturizes the alveoli and prevents the development of adhesion, excessive friction, drying out of the alveoli. This prevents the development of an inflammatory process, allergic reaction, mechanical irritation.
In addition, sugar can irritate the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract, which additionally stimulates the production of immunoglobulins, which are factors of the non-specific resistance system. [ 2 ] It should also be noted that as a result of the production of immunoglobulins by the mucous membranes, an increase in local immunity develops, the body is able to produce a greater number of protective mechanisms, stimulates greater endurance, resistance to infectious diseases. [ 3 ]
Indications for use
Prescribed for severe cough of any origin, and at any stage of the disease. Thus, it is effective in the treatment of cough of allergic, inflammatory, infectious origin. It is also worth noting that sugar can help with both mild cough, at the initial stage of the disease, and at advanced stages, as well as with acute and chronic forms of the development of the pathological process.
Burnt sugar for sore throat
It has a pronounced analgesic and anti-inflammatory effect, and also prevents the development of the infectious process. This is achieved due to the antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties of sugar, as well as the ability to act as an irritant that stimulates the mucous membranes and promotes the production of immunoglobulin. Local immunoglobulin is a protein of local action that provides anti-inflammatory properties and also stimulates the body's defense mechanisms.
This reduces the infectious process, normalizes the microflora, which entails a decrease in the inflammatory process. Accordingly, recovery occurs faster, the pain syndrome also decreases. Sugar also contains substances that irritate the receptors of the oral cavity, and block excessive irritation of the receptors, the transmission of information to the pain center. Accordingly, the pain also decreases.
Another effect may be related to the fact that components formed from sugar can act as growth factors that stimulate the growth and restoration of normal microflora of the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract. It is also worth noting that the restoration of normal microflora, natural microbiocenosis, is the most important condition for rapid recovery. This is due to the fact that microflora normally has colonization resistance, which prevents the development of pathogenic microflora in the body. Accordingly, recovery occurs faster.
Sugar recipes for cough
Various forms of medicines, including syrups, tablets, and lozenges, are quite effective in helping with coughs. It is worth noting that sugar-containing products can be purchased ready-made or can be made at home. Let's look at the basic recipes for making sugar-based cough suppressants.
- Recipe No. 1.
A mixture of periwinkle and angelica panchichi with sugar is used to treat various respiratory diseases. It is recommended to use it in the form of a decoction. In this case, initially, to prepare the decoction, a mixture of the roots of these substances is taken, in approximately equal proportions, poured with boiling water. You can drink such a decoction about 2-3 times a day. Before each use, eat a teaspoon of sugar. On average, the course of treatment is from 1 week to 3 months, and depends on many factors, including whether the cough is productive or unproductive, on how quickly recovery occurs.
- Recipe No. 2.
An infusion of wild mallow and blackberries with sugar has also proven itself quite well. Wild mallow is used in the form of leaves, while blackberries are recommended to be used in the form of fruits. It is worth noting that these substances are perfectly combined, and even complement each other. Wild mallow has an anti-inflammatory effect, eliminates respiratory diseases, helps to thin phlegm, and accelerate its removal from the body.
Blackberries are a powerful source of vitamins, have an astringent, anti-inflammatory, immunostimulating effect on the body, and also eliminate spasms. As for blackberries, they also have an antispasmodic effect on the body, eliminating spasms and relieving inflammation.
To prepare the infusion, it is recommended to finely chop the leaves and roots of the mallow, pour them with vodka or alcohol at a rate of 2-3 tablespoons per 2 glasses of alcohol. Infuse for a day, then add half a glass of blackberries mixed with half a glass of sugar and infuse for another day. After this, the infusion can be drunk. It is recommended to drink up to 50 ml per day until the cough completely disappears.
- Recipe No. 3.
Common fig syrup can be used to eliminate cough, liquefy and remove phlegm. The fig tree is also called a fig, however, it is not the same thing. But they are interchangeable. You can make fig syrup. To prepare it, you will need about 100 grams of seedless fruit, the same amount of sugar, and about 50 ml of clean water. You need to mix everything thoroughly and put it in a cool place for about a day. After that, you can take a teaspoon 2-3 times a day, or at each coughing fit.
How to make sugar for cough?
It is necessary to take about 750 grams of pure sugar, a frying pan, hot. Pour it into the hot frying pan, continue heating until a dark powder is formed. In the process of such burning, you can also add active medicinal preparations, herbs, enhancing the effect.
- Burnt sugar for cough
It is prepared quite simply - you need to take a frying pan, put it on the fire, heat it until it is red-hot, then pour in sugar (about 500 grams). Burn the sugar over low heat until it begins to acquire the consistency of caramel. In order to enhance the healing properties, you can add various medicinal components, biological additives or herbs.
Fry together with these ingredients.
To prepare burnt sugar with plant components, it is necessary to grind the plant (most often the root is used, as well as the leaves). The ground plant components are added to the heated sugar, mixed until a uniform consistency is formed. Then fried until brown.
Below are the main plant components that are added to the composition of burnt sugar: [ 4 ]
- sulfur powder
- burnt magnesia
- marshmallow root
- blue eucalyptus
- coltsfoot leaves
- linden flowers
- plantain leaves
- Echinacea root
- chamomile flowers
- calendula seeds.
- Sugar in a frying pan for cough
There are two options for cooking sugar in a frying pan. You need to take a frying pan, heat it up, and then pour in 500 grams of sugar. Stir constantly until it reaches a caramelized state, or until it turns brown and has a specific aroma. You can add plant extracts to this sugar, as well as special additives. There is a second option: take refined pieces (cubes), pour them into a frying pan, and gradually heat them up.
It is convenient to place in decoctions, syrups, and use for warming up.
To warm up using such sugar, it is convenient to take a cloth bag and pour hot sugar inside. You can spray the bag with the appropriate essential oil on top. Under the influence of heat, the oil will evaporate and will have an additional therapeutic effect. It is recommended to use geranium, lavender, eucalyptus, coniferous oil, rosemary for severe cough. If the sugar is too hot, it is necessary to additionally wrap it in a cloth or towel, and then apply it to the chest or shoulder blade area.
- Onion with sugar for cough
Helps to soothe an irritated throat, has antiseptic, anti-inflammatory properties, softens the throat. It is recommended to use at night. A mixture of onion and sugar is used. Syrup - after the syrup has been infused, it is recommended to drink it twice a day.
Sugar effectively restores damaged microflora and is also a powerful source of energy for the body. Drink at night, before going to bed. [ 5 ]
- Onion, honey and sugar for cough
Take a large onion, peel it, cut off the top, grease the edges with honey, then cover it completely with sugar, and sprinkle ground dill seed on top. [ 6 ]
Keep it outside the refrigerator for an hour, then about 30-40 minutes in the refrigerator. Eat one such onion per day for a strong cough. During the recovery period, you can eat half an onion. For prevention, it is also recommended to eat an onion 1-2 days before.
If for some reason you can't eat the onion, for example, if you have a severe sore throat and it may burn, it is recommended to steam the onion in a steam bath for about 10-15 minutes. Or there is another option for using this "medicine". Onion with honey and sugar is often used in the form of puree: you need to grate the onion, mix it with a tablespoon of sugar, eat it and go to bed. In the morning, drink the remaining juice, after checking if it has disappeared.
And one more recipe: onion is cut into thin slices. Add a few spoons of honey mixed with sugar. Grease the resulting mass on the obtained onion slices. Sugar lozenges for cough
Lollipops are one of the most favorite treats of any child. It turns out that you can combine business with pleasure and turn a treat into a medicine. They are made using sugar: it is fried until it is caramelized (until a brown crust forms).
The child gets pleasure from knowing that he is eating candy.
You can add additives. You need to keep the following ratio: for 200 grams of sugar take about 150 ml of water, 50 ml or grams of additives.
Infuse under a tightly closed lid. Stir, let it brew.
- Sugar alcohol in cough mixtures
Various mixtures are often made on the basis of alcohol, which allows to quickly stop the inflammatory and infectious process, and also promotes the rapid removal of toxins, autoantibodies from the body. This is due to the ability of alcohol to act as a sorbent, which collects all the toxins, metabolites and removes them. Alcohol also stimulates the production of immunoglobulin, especially mucous. This is due to the fact that it stimulates the receptors of the respiratory tract.
Another positive property of alcohol is that it perfectly stimulates appetite, acts as a source of energy, and participates in the construction of cellular structures. Alcohol dries, promotes the synthesis of new cellular structures, in particular, mitochondria, which act as a reliable source of energy and substances.
Alcohol also acts as a stabilizer, which stabilizes cellular structures, and at the same time, the components included in the composition of drugs. In mixtures, it acts as a substance that stabilizes the composition of the drug itself, without changing the properties of the components included in its composition, and without entering into cross-reactions.
- Vodka with sugar for cough
Vodka has long been a favorite remedy. There are some recipes that use vodka in its pure form, vodka in combination with other components.
Vodka with sugar is used to treat cough, both acute and chronic, chronic. It will help with coughing fits of infectious, allergic origin, with croup attacks, suffocation, with spasms. It is also worth noting that vodka with sugar helps to quickly relieve inflammation, prevents the progression of infection, relieves swelling and reduces body temperature. It stimulates the immune system, normalizes the condition of the mucous membranes, increases the body's endurance, and stimulates it to independently resist infection.
To prepare the medicinal composition, you need to fill about half a shot glass with vodka, add half a teaspoon of sugar. Then stir the entire composition thoroughly, preferably until the sugar is completely dissolved. Drink in one go. Repeat the procedure after about 2-3 minutes. It is recommended to drink 5-7 such portions, then cover yourself with a warm blanket and go to bed. It is advisable not only to cover yourself warmly, but also to put on warm clothes, warm socks so that you sweat well.
- Sugar Cough Syrup
It is one of the main remedies that helps to quickly get rid of almost any cough: about 200 grams of sugar, pour 150-200 ml of clean cold water, stir or infuse.
The composition can include various auxiliary means, including plant components. Slowly boil the product until a homogeneous consistency and color change.
- Sugar-free cough mixture
For cough, you can buy or prepare any mixture. Most often, mixtures with sugar are prescribed, since they taste good, have a high energy value, and help restore microflora. They are especially often prescribed to children, since they love their pleasant sweet taste.
But sometimes there are cases when mixtures containing sugar are contraindicated. For example, they are not recommended for children under two years of age, and are also contraindicated during pregnancy. People with a tendency to allergies, excess body weight, obesity, carbohydrate metabolism disorders, toxicosis, diabetes, glucose intolerance, fructose, galactose, should also avoid mixtures that contain sugar. In the pharmacy, you should ask for a mixture without sugar in the composition. If you prepare it at home yourself, you should simply exclude sugar from the recipe.
- Radish with sugar for cough
Sugar can be combined with radish. It won't taste good, but you can quickly achieve a positive effect. Radish is crushed and mixed with sugar. It can be used as an internal remedy, or applied as a compress to the chest, shoulder blades, and even heels (under the toe). [ 7 ]
- Sugar with milk for cough
Sugar with milk helps well in the treatment of chronic cough, or residual effects after colds, infections, inflammatory diseases. This remedy is quite effective, eliminates cough very quickly. The remedy is quite safe, and has virtually no contraindications. The exceptions are cases of individual intolerance to milk, casein, as well as diabetes, carbohydrate metabolism disorders, diathesis. Otherwise, there are no contraindications: even pregnant women, nursing mothers, people prone to hypertension and cardiovascular disorders can take it.
If there are no contraindications, then it is worth starting treatment with the simplest, most well-known and proven recipe. For preparation, it is recommended to take milk, about a glass, add sugar. You can drink the remedy at one time. In this case, it is better to use it at night.
Banana with sugar for cough
Banana is often used to treat coughs, runny noses, colds and infectious diseases. To prepare a nutritious mixture, just mash the banana and sprinkle it with sugar. Use in unlimited quantities.
- Pine cones with sugar for cough
Sugar infusion with pine cones added: a few cones and the same amount of sugar. Mix everything together and pour in cognac. After it has acquired a beautiful golden hue, drink in small quantities twice a day.
Decoction
You need about 100 grams of pine cones. They are covered with 100 grams of sugar and poured with boiling water.
- Burnt sugar with pine cones
It is recommended to take about 500 grams of sugar and 300 grams of cones, mix thoroughly, fry in a frying pan until the sugar turns brown. It is used to add to decoctions, tea for severe coughs. [ 8 ]
- Water with sugar for cough
To eliminate a cough, it is necessary to provide a warming effect, so for warming you need to use hot or warm water. It is better for the water to be as hot as possible (as hot as you can drink it without burning yourself). I dissolve about 2 tablespoons of sugar in a glass of water, drink 2-3 times a day. To enhance the effect, you can add a few pieces of sliced lemon to the water.
- Sugar with sunflower oil for cough
Ointment
Boil sunflower oil and sugar until light steam forms and caramelizes, then set aside, cover tightly with a lid. Infuse for 30-40 minutes. Use the ointment to lubricate the throat, chest, and shoulder blades in case of a strong cough.
- Plantain with sugar for cough
Decoction
To prepare a plantain decoction, you will need 10-12 plantain leaves and 500 ml of water. The leaves are washed, crushed, placed in a bowl and filled with water.
Infusion
It is not much different from the preparation of a decoction. The only exception is that vodka or alcohol is used instead of water. Allow it to steep. [ 9 ]
Sugar for cough for a child
Sugar can be given, but it should be done under strict adult supervision, since children love sweets and can eat or drink a large amount of the medicine. And this already entails serious consequences, including overdose, allergies, diathesis, skin rashes.
The most dangerous long-term consequence of sugar abuse is diabetes. Sugar also has a negative effect on the condition of teeth. It is best to give children burnt sugar (sugar baked in a frying pan). It is recommended to bake it until it turns brown. It is also recommended to make lollipops for children, which relieve pain well, eliminate cough, and thin phlegm. Burnt sugar is quite easy to prepare: take about 150 ml of water and 150 grams of sugar. Mix everything, heat until caramel is formed. You can add medicinal components, plant extracts. It is also worth noting that after cooking, you can pour it into ready-made molds, and then let it harden. Children will enjoy lollipops of various shapes and colors, and at the same time, treat coughs.
Burnt sugar for cough during pregnancy
This is perhaps one of the few remedies that can be used to treat the respiratory tract, eliminate cough during pregnancy, and even during breastfeeding. However, it is necessary to observe the dosage, since sugar abuse during pregnancy can be fraught with serious consequences. Consuming large amounts of sugar can complicate the course of pregnancy, and also negatively affects the condition of the fetus, the course of labor itself, and even the postpartum period. It often causes the development of gestosis, especially in the later stages, contributes to the development of diabetes mellitus, high blood glucose levels, which significantly increases the load on the kidneys, which can ultimately lead to the development of renal failure.
Benefits and harms of sugar for cough
Of course, sugar is effective in treating respiratory diseases, including cough. It quickly and effectively relieves inflammation, eliminates pain, stops the infectious process, and prevents the development of an infectious process, in particular, a bacterial infection. It is also worth noting that sugar normalizes microflora, since it is a growth factor for representatives of normal microflora. In addition, it restores mucous membranes, helps normalize the protective properties of the mucous membrane, relieves pain, and prevents the progression and recurrence of the infectious process. [ 10 ]
But under certain circumstances, sugar, like any other medicine, can cause complications, side effects and even cause complications. Also, excessive sugar consumption can do more harm than good. For example, this form of treatment is not suitable for patients suffering from diabetes, since the condition may worsen, there will be a sharp increase in blood sugar, and a number of side effects accompanying an increase in blood sugar. In case of severe allergic reactions, a negative reaction may occur, ranging from swelling, irritation, and ending with angioedema and anaphylactic shock. It should also be used with caution during pregnancy, children under 2 years of age, in old and old age. [ 11 ]
Risks and possible complications
The risk arises in patients with carbohydrate metabolism disorders, obesity, diabetes, since sugar is a powerful source of glucose, energy. Also, in case of severe bacterial infection in the presence of tumors, you need to consult a doctor, since glucose acts as a growth factor for microorganisms, and also stimulates cellular (tumor) growth.
It creates an increased load on the kidneys, so it is prescribed with caution to patients suffering from kidney diseases, with renal failure. It is worth noting that an allergic reaction can also become a serious obstacle to the use of sugar-based products. The most dangerous consequence is anaphylactic shock, which develops in response to the introduction of an allergen into the body, occurs against the background of increased sensitization of the body.
Reviews
Almost all reviews of sugar as a medicine are positive. Sugar promotes rapid recovery, quickly eliminates cough, softens the throat. It can be used for both children and adults, and even during pregnancy. It is very effective both in its pure form and in combination with other medicinal components. Another advantage is that sugar breaks down into glucose, and it acts as a source of energy. As a result, the cough ceases to be painful, a person can rest and sleep. Strength and endurance increase, a surge of energy is felt, and appetite appears. Another advantage is that children tolerate sweets well. They love this remedy very much, and perceive it more as a delicacy than as a medicine. They consume it with pleasure. The only thing is that you need to ensure that children do not eat too much sugar and do not cause allergies or other complications. Children especially love sugar-based lollipops (caramel).
Sugar Free Cough Syrup
A great alternative to sugar is honey. If for some reason you cannot eat sugar, you can replace it with honey. So, honey helps with cough: in its pure form, as part of juices and tea, in combination with other medicines and active components, as part of decoctions, infusions, and even ointments. The essence of its action against cough is that it has an irritating effect on the throat, stimulates receptors, and liquefies phlegm.
Homemade Sugar Free Cough Drops
If sugar is not allowed, no problem. Honey is an alternative to sugar. Take honey and water in equal parts. Boil until thickened and a caramel-like mass is formed.
- Recipe No. 1.
Prepare the honey-caramel mass in the manner described above.
Add the prepared cinnamon and nutmeg tincture to the finished honey-caramel mass. Leave to infuse (at least 1-2 days). Pour 50 ml of the tincture into the caramel mass, stir, then pour into molds.
Sugar-free cough drops and lozenges
Manufacturers take into account that sugar for cough is an effective remedy, but it is not suitable for everyone. Therefore, sugar-free tablets are also produced by domestic manufacturers. Before buying, you need to ask the seller at the pharmacy for a product that does not contain sugar. These can be mixtures, lozenges, pastilles from such manufacturers as Doctor Mom, Doctor Nova, Strepsils, and others.