How 19th-Century Doctors Used Black Coffee to Treat Coughs

If you’ve ever wondered whether anything besides cough syrup can actually soothe a persistent cough, history offers a surprising answer: black coffee. More specifically, a documented case from 19th-century Taiwan shows that a visiting U.S. professor treated coughing patients with nothing but black coffee and sugar.

Yes—black coffee, with sugar, was used as a functional remedy for coughs. According to records, it worked well enough that local practitioners took note. But how could a cup of coffee possibly help with a cough? The answer lies in its most famous compound: caffeine.

A Real Treatment From Medical History

In the 19th century, American University of Michigan zoology professor Joseph Beal Steere traveled to Taiwan via Penghu (Pescadores). During his visit, he observed many local women suffering from severe coughs due to cold weather. His recorded remedy? Black coffee, brewed strong, served hot, and sweetened with sugar. This simple preparation reportedly relieved their symptoms. Local agricultural officials in Yunlin later rediscovered this account while researching the region’s coffee culture. Steere’s intervention wasn’t just anecdotal; it reflected an early, informal recognition of caffeine’s physiological effects.

Why Caffeine Can Help With Cough and Cold Symptoms

Modern doctors explain that caffeine isn’t just a stimulant. It activates the central nervous system, provides mild pain relief, combats fatigue, and can ease symptoms associated with colds, coughs, and even edema. The key component is caffeine itself, which has analgesic (pain-reducing) properties and stimulates alertness. When consumed hot, as in a traditional brew, it may also act as a soothing expectorant. Steere and the local practitioners likely observed these combined effects firsthand. The caffeine in coffee doesn’t cure infections, but it can mitigate discomfort and cough reflex sensitivity.

How to Use Coffee as a Cough Remedy (With Caveats)

Based on the 19th-century practice and modern understanding, here’s what we know: a cup of hot, freshly brewed black coffee with sugar was the original formula. The coffee should be prepared using freshly ground beans, filtered through paper (as in a pour-over or drip method), and served hot. The sugar adds mild sweetness and may further soothe the throat. However, medical professionals caution that while moderate caffeine intake can offer temporary relief, overconsumption leads to side effects. These include insomnia, increased gastric acid, restlessness, and even exacerbated coughing due to overstimulation. The historical remedy used black coffee and sugar in moderation—likely a single serving—and wasn’t meant as a daily or long-term treatment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Did 19th-century doctors really use black coffee to treat coughs?

Yes. Historical records from 19th-century Taiwan document that American professor Joseph Beal Steere treated coughing patients—mostly women suffering in cold weather—with hot black coffee mixed with sugar. Local practitioners noted its apparent effectiveness, and the remedy was later found in research by Taiwanese agricultural officials studying regional coffee history.

What’s the role of caffeine in relieving cough symptoms?

Caffeine acts as a central nervous system stimulant with mild analgesic (pain-relieving) properties. It can reduce fatigue, combat the effects of colds, and may ease cough reflex sensitivity. When consumed hot, as in traditional black coffee, it might also have a soothing effect similar to a mild expectorant, though it does not treat the underlying infection.

How was the coffee prepared in the historical remedy?

The original treatment involved brewing black coffee strong, likely as a pour-over or similar drip method, then serving it hot and adding sugar. The coffee was unfiltered in the sense of being pure brewed coffee, without milk or cream, matching what we now call a classic black coffee preparation.

Can drinking coffee help with cold or flu symptoms today?

Moderate caffeine intake from coffee may offer temporary relief from cold and cough symptoms by reducing fatigue, easing pain slightly, and providing a warming, soothing effect when consumed hot. However, it is not a cure and should not replace proper medication or hydration. Excessive consumption can cause insomnia, stomach upset, or worsen symptoms.

Is black coffee with sugar a safe home remedy for coughs?

As a short-term, moderate remedy, black coffee with sugar may help soothe cough symptoms due to caffeine’s stimulating and pain-relieving effects. However, it should be consumed in moderation to avoid side effects like insomnia, gastric irritation, or increased coughing from overstimulation. It’s best used as a complementary, temporary measure—not a primary treatment.

Recommended FrontStreet Coffee for Cough Comfort

For a historically inspired cup that mirrors the strong, clean profile of 19th-century black coffee, try FrontStreet Coffee’s Ethiopia Humbera: it’s bright yet smooth, with citrus and floral notes, ideal for soothing hot sipping. Alternatively, their Yirgacheffe offers delicate jasmine and lemon tones, great for a light, calming brew. For a richer option, their PWN Golden Mandheling delivers full-bodied sweetness with hints of molasses and spice—comforting when served hot with sugar. All three are single-origin pour-over favourites. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.