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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
Thanks for this article. Called a local compounding pharmacy and a very nice and caring pharmacist had never heard of SSKI or its uses. She then said that when something has fallen out of use then it generally means that there are more effective products on them market. I politely told her that I disagreed and that there is more money to be made in less effective products and that it is all about PROFIT.
Sounds interesting, will research more!!
Bought the Art Pharma one ounce bottle for $75 (way pricey) and have been using since the 13th of December. Works incredibly well. Forget crappy Mucinex and guaifenesin. Won’t ever use anything else again. And one bottle should last a long time. I don’t know the shelf life but I have a lot left. I hope it stays good a long time. Will give you detox symptoms if you take too much. I started out at 6 drops twice per day because my congestion was really bad…had already been sick for two months when I finally bought this. So I had some ways to go to clear it out. Well, that was too much at once and gave me diarrhea. So I dialed it back to 3 drops twice a day, then 4, and then 5. Five was still a little too much so stayed at 4 and have had no issues. This stuff made my head run like Niagara Falls. Got fed up with that after a couple of days so took a Sudafed to dry up my head and that is when the congestion started coming out thru my mouth. Yuck! But the stuff works and that is the bottom line.
I have hypothyroidism and adrenal exhaustion but ordered a bottle of Art Pharma SSKI to get rid of the dregs from what I believe is pneumonia. How many drops should I use and for how long? Also, how long is the bottle good for once opened? Thanks so much for this article!
Informative article, exactly what I was looking for.
Hi Sarah I live in South Africa, can’t find sski or potassium iodide salt to make it up myself. I have chronic Bronchitis, but Mucous doesn’t get expelled when I cough. It dries out & the bottom of my lungs have been greatly effected. All that happens when I cough is that it triggers vomiting, because nothing will come out of my lungs. I have tried everything to liquify the mucousa in my lungs to expel it. So tired, it started with secondary smoke. Now I just get a virus & in days I have bronchitis. I have a feeling it never really goes away. I live in Vanderbjlpark right next to Sasolburg were petrol is produced, it’s very polluted. Right now there isn’t a chance to move to a cleaner place.
I don’t know how you can help me, do you know anyone who is coming to South Africa & could some how bring me some sski from your country. Or is there a way to send me some, I can’t import it, (costs a fortune). Because its a med, I have to get a license & a Dr has to be willing to fill out a 20 page info form on why I need it & that Dr has to give government assurances that he/she will be in control of my using it. There aren’t Dr’s in our country who will do this anymore.
I’m begging you please help me somehow.
Brigitte Wallace. 071 482 1980.
this stuff treat other things other than lung congestion, from what i read from this link.
lugol.com/pages/sski
it treats things like thyroid (hypo and hyper) , and it comes in different dosages in one drop, sounds like scary stuff to me.
plus it suggest you should be careful if you have a pre-existing condition, i have asthma and a slightly low thyriod.
plus be careful of online searching , google is not your friend, but i will mention this to my doctor, and call around a few pharmacist……i am curious about it any ways
I googled the NDC of the product. All RX PRESCRIPTIONS have their own NDC that’s one way they are ordered by your pharmacist;) I didn’t find anything its been changed. I googled the manufacturer and bingo found it.
Manufacturer is UPSHER SMITH
NDC 0245-0003-31
RX 1gm/1oz also available in a 8 oz bottle.
Please read their warning ⚠️ It’s not safe for woman who are pregnant will cause fetal harm. Please check out their precautions for certain health conditions. Please google the manufacturer then scroll down and click on prescription information for more.
Sarah I wonder if this is the same as the one you have:
lugol.com/pages/sski
No prescription needed.
Yes, this looks like the right stuff! Good find!
I would like an update on how the mail order veresion worked