Home remedy or Old Wive's Tale?

So, I have a sweet friend in Australia who gave me an interesting home remedy for a chesty cough...She says "You warm a couple of cupfuls of sand in a pot, if it isn't from
the beach, add about half a handful of salt. Make it as warm as you can comfortably
touch. Pour it into an old pillow case and tie it up. Rest the sand pack on your
chest until it cools down. The salt will draw out the moisture."
So, I have been trying it...and it feels like my cough is better...anyone coughing up a lung? Try it and let me know what you think...oh...and sand gets REALLY HOT, REALLY FAST...so be careful!