Homemade Honey Cough Syrup

Stevie was feeling a little under the weather this morning, so we whipped up a little batch of homemade cough syrup. It’s super simple, easy to make, safe for anyone over the age of one year old, and it works pretty well for us.

I use raw unfiltered honey, lemon juice, onion, ginger, garlic, turmeric, cayenne, apple cider vinegar. You can mix it all up in a glass jar with the lid. The recipe I use is a fairly small batch, but you can multiply it to make a larger batch, it lasts a long time in the fridge.

You can also make it whether you use all of those ingredients or not, it works well with just honey, lemon, and onion. I just feel like if I’m going to make the cough syrup I’m going to be extra and throw in all the other stuff I know can benefit you when you’re feeling a little under the weather also. 

For dosing, I do one teaspoon up to three times a day for Stevie, who is three years old. I take 2 teaspoons up to three times a day. 

Here is the full recipe and the simplified version:

Homemade Honey Cough Syrup (complex)

Ingredients:

4 Tablespoons – Raw Unfiltered Honey

½ a lemon (squeezed)

½ White Onion (chopped)

2 teaspoons – Apple Cider Vinegar

1 teaspoon  – Fresh Ginger (chopped)

1 teaspoon – Fresh Garlic (chopped)

½ teaspoon – Turmeric

½ teaspoon – Cayenne 

Instructions: 

Chop onion, ginger, and garlic into small cubes and combine them in a glass jar that can be sealed with a lid. Add apple cider vinegar, lemon juice, turmeric, and cayenne to the jar. Pour honey over all ingredients and stir– or just put the lid on and shake it really hard.

It can be used as soon as it’s mixed, but after 24 hours the ingredients have fully mingled and are able to provide optimal benefits from then on. After a day or two I use a siphon strainer to strain out any chunks of onion or garlic which makes it easier for Stevie to take.

Simple Recipe – Homemade Honey Cough Syrup

Ingredients:

6oz – Raw Unfiltered Honey

1 – lemon squeezed

1 –  White Onion chopped

Instructions: 

Combine in a mason jar and leave overnight, strain the next morning and store in the refrigerator.

Use as cough syrup or in tea or hot water. 

Info, facts, and benefits of the ingredients used in this homemade cough syrup:

Honey – Any type of honey will work, but we like to use local raw honey. Raw honey contains natural vitamins, enzymes, and antioxidants that haven’t been lost in the heating process. Local honey contains a blend of local pollen, which may strengthen the immune system, and reduce pollen allergy symptoms. Bee pollen has anti-inflammatory, antifungal, and antiviral properties–filtered honey loses these benefits.

Lemon Juice – Lemon juice is an excellent source of vitamin C, a powerful antioxidant that supports the immune system, and promotes healing in the body. Lemon juice is known to help flush toxins from the body.

Onion – Onions are packed with antioxidants, including quercetin and vitamin C, which help support the immune system, reduce inflammation, and fight off free radicals. Quercetin, a powerful anti-inflammatory antioxidant found in onions, can help reduce inflammation in the respiratory system, which may alleviate symptoms of bronchitis, asthma, and colds. Onions have natural expectorant properties, which can help loosen phlegm and alleviate coughs. 

Ginger – The antioxidants in ginger help strengthen the immune system, providing the body with tools to fight off colds and infections. Ginger can be effective for reducing pain, it works as a natural analgesic and can reduce inflammation contributing to pain.

Garlic – The antioxidants and sulfur compounds in garlic help reduce inflammation, which can relieve symptoms such as sore throats, sinus congestion, and body aches. Garlic contains allicin, a sulfur compound that boosts the immune system and has been shown to reduce the severity and duration of colds and other infections.

Turmeric – Turmeric contains curcumin, a compound with strong anti-inflammatory properties. It helps reduce inflammation in the body, relieving symptoms like sore throats, muscle aches, and congestion. Curcumin can help reduce mucus production and soothe respiratory irritation. Turmeric supports liver function, which aids in detoxification, helping to flush out toxins and speed up recovery. Curcumin can act as a natural pain reliever. (I use turmeric in my coffee, tea, and when cooking daily. So many benefits.)

disclaimer: I am obviously not a doctor, just a big fan of helping the body with natural ingredients! This homemade cough syrup is so easy to make and great for easing cough and cold symptoms.