Table of Contents[Hide][Show]
Supersaturated potassium iodide, or SSKI, is a safe, effective cough expectorant routinely prescribed by doctors in the last century to open up the airways in the lungs to help clear deep coughs. It was also used for minor cases of asthma. Conventional medicine has all but forgotten about it because it is inexpensive to make with no opportunity for exclusive patenting rights. It is a natural alternative to toxic over-the-counter options for loosening deeply rooted phlegm to rapidly clear hacking coughs.
When my Dad graduated from medical school in the 1950s, the go-to cough expectorant that was prescribed by physicians at the time was SSKI, super saturated potassium iodide. Some physicians refer to it as pima syrup. This is not to be confused with regular KI solution at the health food store.
SSKI was an inexpensive and highly effective tool for deep-rooted congestion that was beyond the reach of the cilia, the tiny hairlike projections that line the upper half of the lower respiratory tract, gently sweeping debris and mucous out of the lungs.
Old-time pharmacists regularly filled prescriptions for SSKI although today, most pharmacists less than about 60 years old would likely scratch their heads should such a script be requested.
SSKI works spectacularly well for thinning and clearing mucous deep inside the lungs so that it is more easily coughed up. This function is very beneficial because when mucous is rooted deep inside the lungs, coughing is the only way to get it out.
How to Use SSKI
When I was a child, my Dad would give us 4-5 drops of SSKI in a small glass of water or juice at breakfast time. It was only used if we were coughing and had lung congestion that needed to be cleared. The result was truly magical.
Within a few minutes, he would instruct us to take a couple of deep, slow breaths. This would immediately trigger a very productive coughing spell that cleared out the trapped congestion.
SSKI works very very fast to thin the mucus and acts as a natural cough expectorant. As a child, I noticed that it would only take a few minutes and the ease of coughing up any mucous was very noticeable.
4-5 drops per day could be continued for a week or at most two with no ill effect. If a cough was severe, 4-5 drops twice a day could be used for up to a week to clear very thick, infected mucous.
Sometimes, after a few days of using SSKI, I would notice a bit of a metal taste in my mouth. This was the signal to reduce the dose a bit or taper it off if my cough had resolved sufficiently. It goes away immediately when the dosage is reduced or stopped.
Natural Cough Expectorant
For the past 3 decades since leaving my parent’s home for college, I have always kept a small bottle of SSKI in my medicine cabinet. One bottle lasts for 10 years or more. No kidding. I’m literally on only my second bottle since I graduated high school!
You can get it at a compounding pharmacy or order it online here. Use coupon code HealthyHome and get 10% off your order.
Even though I didn’t eat very well in college and throughout my 20s, I credit use of this age-old remedy for keeping me med-free during any bouts with colds or flu.
Other more expensive cough expectorants on the market which contain the drug Guaifenesin don’t work nearly as well as SSKI in my experience. Another downside: these over the counter medicines are loaded with additives and other undesirable chemicals.
SSKI, on the other hand, is just a simple compound consisting of two elements that are actually nutrients too: potassium and iodine.
Nothing else is added!
Where to Find this Old Time Remedy
Next time you need a cough expectorant, why don’t you try SSKI? You can order it online here and get 10% off with coupon code HealthyHome.
It is even more effective when you combine it with elderberry syrup, a scientifically proven remedy for reducing the symptoms and severity of coughs.
No doubt, when you ask your doctor about this simple traditional remedy, you will get a very quizzical look! He/she will likely have no idea what it is if under the age of 70.
It’s time to bring back into popularity some of these old-time remedies that work great, are very inexpensive and have no nasty additives – wouldn’t you agree?
Lugol’s or (KI) Potassium Iodide is NOT SSKI
It is important to note that Lugol’s or the potassium iodide (KI) liquid that you can order online or get at the health food store IS NOT THE SAME THING as SSKI.
It is best to get it at a compounding pharmacy or from a functional physician who can write prescriptions. If your insurance doesn’t cover visits to this type of doctor, consider switching to healthcare sharing.
Alternatively, you can order SSKI kits online here and get 10% off with coupon code HealthyHome.
References
How to Make and Use an Onion Poultice for Congestion
Natural and Effective Sinus Infection Remedy
Doctor Prescribed Treatment for Healing Croup Naturally
Pottenger’s Remedy for Respiratory Illness
Fast Tip to Prevent Sinus Infections
Power Shot: Best Green Juice for Nasal Congestion
Hey Sarah, the link you provide for ordering goes to a kind that needs to be mixed to your desired solution strength. Do you know what the solution strength is with the one you get from your pharmacist?
Thanks!
I looked up the drug label number online on my bottle, and here’s what it says: “SSKI® (potassium iodide oral solution, USP) is a saturated solution of potassium iodide containing 1 gram of potassium iodide per mL.”
what if allergic to iodine?
Then this remedy is not for you.
Potentially not great for people with thyroid issues though!
1 used 7 level scoops per 30 ml of water. is that correct for saturated solution? Thamks!
I don’t make my own … I get from a pharmacist. Can’t help you there.
Thank you. At what age did you feel it was appropriate to give to your children or what age did your father administer to his patients and children? If you are not comfortable answering this, could you point me in the right direction? I have spent hours trying to figure out for what ages this remedy is appropriate, to no avail. I am trying to go the homeopathic route when possible and it is difficult to gather all of the information needed to make the right decisions. I’m still searching for a more holistic practitioner and this is not only difficult to find in my current area but we also travel frequently for long periods due to my husband’s career. Thank you for your time and offering a valuable resource.
He started at school age (kindergarten). Toddlers who are over 1 year old and drinking out of a cup may qualify to have it as well … but I don’t remember him giving it earlier than school age. Reach out to your functional physician for guidance.
Do you have experience using SSKI for an infant (6 months) with a cough and at what dose and duration? What is the earliest age for which you’ve used it?
This is a question for your practitioner. I seriously doubt this remedy is appropriate for a baby that young.
It is available in a mixing kit on Amazon from Morgellons Direct with mixing instructions. The kit is $40. They also sell refills for $50 for a 4 pack.
Thank you! I found it 🙂 https://amzn.to/2UZLxoG
Read all the comments. I specifically mentioned where I got mine.
While my son had a lingering cough we went to a doctor, while there I asked if they would prescribe SSKI, they said no, that they prefer to stick with something that has a proven track record and gave us an inhaler for the cough. How do we find a doctor that will actually prescribe this?
What an ignorant response. There is NO remedy with a better track record than SSKI. Clueless doctors whose entire medical school curriculum was controlled by Big Pharma (via giant donations).
I think you might be able to order it online. I’ve had a couple of readers email that to me.
This particular compounding pharmacy has 2 locations, the pharmacist said they were owned by the same person. I asked if it would be the same price, he shrugged his shoulders and said, “Well, it’s not like Giant Eagle”, our local grocery store chain. Today I called the other location, and ordered my refill, asked the price, $62.00. I don’t understand it. I hope the price doesn’t change between now and Monday when it will be ready.
I still am concerned over you needing a refill in so short a timeframe. One bottle should last 10+ years. It seems to me you are using too much which would be a toxicity concern. I would suggest consulting with a functional practitioner over your usage pattern.