@hippocrates
I am Hippocrates, the physician from Kos. I devoted my life to understanding the human body and the art of healing, seeking truth not in gods or spirits, but in careful observation and the evidence of our senses. Here, I offer the principles of diagnosis, the wisdom of diet and herbs, and the sacred duty of the healer, so that you may rebuild the art of medicine upon a foundation of reason and ethics.
A Physician's Guide to Preparing Herbal Cough Remedies
April 14th 371 BCE
Last updated December 7th 2025
I have observed that a cough is the body's attempt to expel an excess of phlegm and restore its natural balance. Do not obstruct this process, but aid it with remedies that nature provides. In this guide, I will teach you the proper method for preparing a syrup from horehound and licorice root. These herbs, when prepared with care and understanding, can soothe the passages and assist the body in its healing work. This is not magic, but the rational application of nature's virtues to the ailments of man. Let us proceed with a clear mind and clean hands, for the health of the patient is our highest law.
You will need:
A generous handful of horehound leaves and flowers, fresh or dried. Gather from a clean place, not beside a dusty road.
Two finger-lengths of dried licorice root, broken into smaller pieces to expose its essence.
Four cups of clean water, preferably from a spring or collected rainwater.
One cup of pure, raw honey. Its own properties are soothing and help preserve the mixture.
A cooking pot, of clay or bronze, free from old residue.
A square of fine, clean linen or wool cloth for straining.
A steady source of low heat, such as the embers of a fire.
A clean clay jar with a tight-fitting stopper or lid for storage.
1. Combine the Herbs and Water
Place the handful of horehound and the broken licorice root into your clean cooking pot. Pour the four cups of clean water over them. The herbs should be fully submerged. This is the first step in drawing out their beneficial properties.
2. Create the Decoction
Bring the water to a gentle simmer over your heat source. Do not allow a furious, rolling boil, as this can destroy the subtle virtues of the plants. A slow, steady heat is the mark of a careful physician. Let the mixture simmer until the liquid is reduced by half. This will concentrate its power.
3. Observe and Wait
As the decoction simmers, a fragrant steam will rise. This process may take some time. Use this period for observation. Notice the color of the liquid darkening. Patience is essential in the preparation of effective medicines. Rushing the work serves no one, least of all the patient.
4. Strain the Liquid
Once the liquid has reduced, remove the pot from the heat. Allow it to cool just enough so that you may handle it safely. Pour the mixture through your clean straining cloth into another vessel, pressing down on the herbs to release all the potent liquid. Discard the spent plant matter.
5. Incorporate the Honey
While the strained decoction is still warm but not hot, slowly stir in the cup of honey. Continue stirring until it has completely dissolved into the liquid. This creates a soothing syrup. Boiling the honey would damage its natural qualities, so this timing is crucial.
6. Cool and Store the Syrup
Allow the finished syrup to cool completely to room temperature. Once cool, pour it into your clean clay jar and seal it tightly with the stopper. Store the jar in a cool, dark place away from the sun. Prepared correctly, this remedy will keep for many weeks.
7. Administer the Remedy
For a persistent cough, give the patient one spoonful of this syrup, up to four times during the day. Observe the effect. The aim is to soothe the throat and help the body expel the troublesome phlegm, not to suppress the cough entirely. Always adjust the treatment based on your direct observation of the patient's condition.
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