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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 posting!
I make my own SSKI by using ACS (the highest grade) potassium iodide that I buy in bulk in on ebay, I got 4oz for like $30 (enough to take several drops a day for a couple years). All you need is a glass dropper, and a wooden spoon or stirrer. Place a teaspoon or so of the KI in a glass and add slowly add water and stir until just about all of the KI is dissolved and further stirring will no longer dissolve anymore.
Long term SSKI can help many issues, including hypothyroidism, but you much supplement with selenium after any extended time, or you can risk hosimoto’s thyriod disease. Please use Google to find proper “companion nutrients” while taking iodide, as well as being aware of the possible side effects of bromide detox. Other than that, Iodide is a true Godsend.
Great tip. I happen to have an appointment with my doctor tomorrow morning so I can ask him. woot!
I will look for this… thank you.
Hello:
My first posting. This SSKI is a component of Lugol’s Iodine and someone here said it was not the same thing.
Lugol’s is 1/2 Iodine and 1/2 SSKI. Unless I’m wrong about that. Someone please correct me.
Bonnie
How do we get SSKI then, where can we order it from?
I’ve always gotten mine by prescription. A bottle lasts you for years and years. I have to say though since starting to take cod liver oil 10 years ago, I’ve never needed it since! My kids have never needed it either as they never get any chest congestion.
BUT, if you ever do have this problem, SSKI is the best I’ve ever come across.
Good to know!!
I would love to hear if someone is able to get it from a compounding pharmacy!
Me too. There is one not too far from me .. I think I will check next time I’m out and about.
I I live in FL and I called different compounding pharmacies and they don’t do it. I got SSKI through Morgellons Direct and no prescription was necessary.
I just emailed my friendly compounding pharmacist that very question, Bob. I’ll post here if I hear back.
Thanks Miss Nancy, I’ll look forward to that.
Some of us have very little interaction with the “system”, mostly by choice but sometimes by circumstance. I do chaff a bit at having to seek “permission” from a person that would other wise poison me or mine with “pharmaceuticals” but also treat me as so stupid that I can’t knowledgeably and appropriately make best use af a “controlled substance”.
Bob, wanted to be sure you see my response. I emailed my regular compounding pharmacist and he emailed me back that a doc’s script is necessary. This might be different in different states. I’m in NJ and he’s in FL.
Well that’s what I thought I remembered. This effectively puts it out of reach for us. We don’t do the doctor dance, at all.
Miss Sara,
Without a dr. and therefore no ability to get a script, is there any other way to acquire SSKI?
Prescription is the only way I know of Bob. Don’t forget that DO’s can write prescriptions too and perhaps you can get one at a compounding pharmacy. Not sure about that though.