Homemade Cough Syrup

This Homemade Cough Syrup WORKS and takes minutes to make! It’s made with 5 simple, but powerful ingredients you probably have at home right now.

Are you feeling under the weather? If a nagging dry cough has been bugging you or your young children this cold season, don’t worry! Instead of reaching out for over-the-counter cough medicines to treat your cold symptoms, make your own cough syrup.

You might be thinking – why would I bother with the effort?

For me, I’m always going to turn to the most natural ingredients and if I can use food as medicine, I will. When shopping for over-the-counter cough syrups, you’ll often find unwanted ingredients lurking in the bottle. For example, many use artificial food dyes, which are linked to hyperkinesis and learning disorders. (source)

Sometimes you’ll find artificial sweeteners and additives that we don’t need when we’re trying to fight a cough!

This natural home remedy is a surefire way to soothe those irritations quickly and affordably. Not only that, but this homemade cough syrup recipe packs some powerful ingredients that can boost the immune system for better recovery.

I’m here to tell you more about how easy it is to make homemade cough syrup and how effective it can be in tackling sore throat!

Recipe Ingredients–What You Need

For years, you’ve depended on store-bought cough syrup. But now, it’s time to break free of the habit and make your own. Here are some simple ingredients you’ll need:

Raw Honey

The first ingredient for this homemade cough remedy is one and a half cups of raw honey. Honey has powerful antimicrobial and antioxidant properties that help soothe a sore throat.

Buckwheat honey, in particular, has immense health benefits. It is highly nutritious with unparalleled healing powers. Studies claim that buckwheat honey is more powerful than OTC medicines for cough. It is especially true for small children dealing with nighttime dry cough. (source) 

Buckwheat honey is not required for this recipe, as all honey is beneficial for respiratory infections. (source)

Including raw honey in your daily diet can also help deal with high blood pressure issues and cholesterol. (source) For wounds, you can apply honey as a topical solution to reduce pain and speed up the healing process. So, this flu season, ensure your medicine cabinet is stocked with this natural immunity booster.

Olive Oil

The second ingredient you need is a half cup of extra virgin olive oil. Olive oil contains antioxidants and healthy fatty acids to help fight bacteria. It also has anti-inflammatory properties and relieves respiratory tract infections like the common cold.

When added to this homemade cough syrup, it gives a luxurious texture and helps make the syrup more potent. Plus, olive oil coats the throat, making it easier to swallow the other ingredients. It also helps reduce coughing fits and supports a speedy recovery.

Olive oil has also been found to reduce the risk of coronary heart disease, cancer, stroke, diabetes, and other degenerative diseases. (source) So, don’t hesitate to add this heart-friendly ingredient while whipping up salad dressings, sauces, and dips.

Lemons

The zesty sweetness of fresh lemon juice can help you make your natural cough syrup more flavorful and balance the sweetness of the honey. Lemons are packed with vitamin C, an essential nutrient for strengthening immunity. Vitamin C also helps reduce the severity of cold symptoms like chest congestion, coughing, and sore throat.

Plus, lemons contain antioxidants that help reduce inflammation and fight off infection. To make this homemade cough medicine, you will need five lemons juiced. The best part? Lemons are low in calories and contain no fat or cholesterol. Plus, the Vitamin B6 in lemons helps lower high blood pressure.

The best way to extract the most amount of fresh lemon juice is to roll the fruit on a hard surface before cutting it. If available, you can also use a citrus squeezer or simply dip the fruit in a bowl of warm water for some minutes.

But if your lemons aren’t juicy enough, you can combine lemon zest with a bit of raw honey to make a flavorful paste that can aid in soothing a dry cough.

Ground Ginger

Fresh ginger or ground ginger is a go-to ingredient for adding flavor to meals. But did you know that ginger is also a great cold remedy for a bad cough?

Ginger has been used for centuries to soothe sore throats and reduce inflammation. It also has a calming effect on the digestive system, which in turn can help relieve chest congestion. You will need half a teaspoon of ground ginger for this recipe. 

The health benefits of ginger extend far beyond relieving a persistent cough. Studies suggest that ginger can reduce blood sugar levels, lower cholesterol, and even prevent cancer. It is a great source of essential vitamins and minerals like Vitamin B6, magnesium, and phosphorus. (source)

So, don’t forget to add ginger to your diet to get its amazing health benefits and stay healthy this winter.

Ground Cinnamon

The last ingredient you need is one teaspoon of ground cinnamon. Cinnamon has been used in traditional remedies for centuries. The nutritional makeup of cinnamon includes a host of essential minerals like zinc, calcium, and magnesium.

These minerals give cinnamon its antibacterial and antiviral properties, which help reduce the severity of cold and flu symptoms. The essential oils in cinnamon can also help fight bacterial infections, chest congestion, and nausea.

Plus, the antioxidants present in cinnamon can help reduce inflammation and soothe a scratchy throat. Cinnamon is also a great source of dietary fiber, which can help regulate your blood sugar levels and reduce the risk of diabetes.

How to Make Homemade Cough Syrup

The best part about this natural cough remedy is its simplicity. I highly recommend using a citrus juicer to make juicing your lemons quick and easy.

Then, simply mix all the ingredients in a small saucepan and stir until well combined.

Finally, transfer the mixture to glass jar with a tight lid. 

You can store your DIY cough syrup in the refrigerator or at room temperature. Keep in mind that when stored in the refrigerator, the olive oil will solidify and need to be brought to room temperature before serving. 

Shake well before each use.

Dosage

Since there aren’t any side effects associated with this natural cough syrup, you can take it as often as needed. For adults and children, 1-2 tablespoons before bed will help reduce coughing and congestion throughout the night. This can also be used as much as needed throughout the day.

This syrup is not recommended for children under 1 since it is made with honey. 

I like to slightly warm the syrup on low heat before use, but it is not required. To do so, I place the syrup in a small juice glass and place it in a pan of shallow water and heat it over medium heat. 

If you make this homemade cough syrup, please leave a star rating below and let me know how it works for your family! I’d also love to see it on Instagram or Facebook. Tag me when you share it and I’ll feature you!

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Frequently Asked Questions

A runny nose and choked throat can annoy even the best of us. But, before reaching for the conventional cough syrups, why not take a more natural approach? Let me answer a few possible questions that you may have in mind.

What cough symptoms require immediate medical attention?

Persistent coughing, chest pain, difficulty breathing, and high fever can be signs of a serious medical condition. If you experience any of these symptoms, consult your doctor immediately for medical advice.

What alternative ingredients can I use instead of those listed above?

You can replace fresh lemon juice with a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar. Cayenne pepper can be used as a substitute for ground cinnamon, but your kids may not like it as much! For the ginger, you can leave it out if you don’t have any on hand.

What other drinks can I use to soothe a sore throat?

A hot drink, whether herbal tea or chicken soup, can relieve a sore throat. This Lemon Ginger Turmeric Tea is a great one!

Does a humidifier help reduce coughing?

A cool-mist humidifier can help reduce coughing and provide relief from chest congestion. The moisture in the air will also help soothe your throat, allowing you to get a good night’s sleep.

Knowing that you can make your cough syrup at home will give you the confidence to tackle a persistent cough with natural ingredients. So, say goodbye to a stuffy nose and drugstore medications, and try this old-fashioned cough syrup recipe today. You won’t regret it!

More Healthy Home Remedies

If you’re like me and prefer to try natural, holistic remedies when you’re battling seasonal sickness, I have options for you!

• Fire Cider is a powerful wellness tonic that works well to knock out the cold and flu symptoms you may be experiencing.
• Elderberry Syrup is great to keep your immune system strong, and has been shown to shorten the duration of cold and flu.
• This Cold Busting Soup is filled with nourishing, healing ingredients and is perfect to eat when you’re sick.
• You can help boost your immune system with this Vitamin C Smoothie or this Vitamin C Juice.

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