As a child, I live with my gandparents for several years. Both of them were very conservative, "old school" types born in the early 1900's and raised on farms. Neither on had grown up with comercial medications, so when they married and had kids, they used the old home remides that their parents had used. When I came to live with them, they did the same for me. My grandmother in particular had a few remides that she liked to use for sore throats, coughs and colds.

A hot salt water gargle was the first thing she insisted on. Twice a day she would desolve about 2 tbs salt in a coffe cup full of very warm water. It tasted like ocean water, but it did help.

Then she broke out the honey and lemon. She mixed 3 tbs. honey mixed with 3 tbs. FRESH lemon juice. It makes a sweet and tangy homemade cough syrup that sooths the throat for hours. And since there are no narcotics or drugs of any kind in it, you can use it as often as need becauseyou can't over dose!

And finally, the brandied peaches! I actually remember faking a cough several times just to get one I loved them so much!(But I would never give this to children knowing now what I do.)

To make 1 a gallon jar of brandied peaches, fill a glass gallon jar with fresh, peeled peaches. If you like, slice and pit the peaches, or just leave them whole. Add brandy 2 cups at a time. For every 2 cups of brandy, add 1cup sugar and 1 cinnamon stick. Add more brandy, sugar and cinnamon until the jar is full. Put a lid on the jar and refridgerate several weeks before useing. Stir the jar or gently shake it every few days.