Make a powerful, immune-boosting natural cough syrup recipe for a fraction of the cost of the natural ones you buy in the store with not a singlegibberish-sounding ingredient in sight. And, if you're not happy taking over-the-counter medicines that do little to relieve your cold and leave you wondering what the heck you just put into your system instead, this recipe is for you!
OTC Medicines Only Cover Symptoms
Battling the sniffles, a cough, colds and the flu is never fun – those viruses aren't easily knocked out by over-the-counter medicines (that are full of all kinds of wacky junk) but I have had success over the years with herbal remedies like zinc and Vitamin C. Of course, rest, fluids and a healthy diet are not to be minimized as powerful natural remedies.
So I've been anxious all winter long to make my own herbal natural cough syrup to also help with a cough. For some reason, I picked the end of winter to start trying but am now glad I did. I actually couldn't have picked better timing – it's like someone knew I was whipping it up in my kitchen and then sprinkled cold virus dust all over my family just to prove to us it would work. And that it did – it worked to greatly reduce cold symptoms for me and my kids.
This Natural Cough Syrup ActuallyWorks!
I started the weekend feeling yucky – drained, stopped up, coughing and knew a nasty cold was coming. My oldest son felt the same. We've both been taking the syrup 2 to 3 times a day (2 tablespoons at a time) for several days and our symptoms are much improved. I did miss a dose yesterday and noticed I wasn't feeling as well, so I took it again this morning and voila! My nose started clearing up and my energy started to return.
With this recipe, you'll get the immune-boosting power ofechinacea combined with the mucus-expectorant power of licorice.
Learn About the Ingredients in this Natural Cough Syrup
Echinacea Root
Echinacea is a flowering plant with nine different species. It's most popular common names are the purple cone flower and black-eyed Susan. It is the one of the most popular herbal products in the U.S. and has been used for centuries to boost the immune system and heal wounds, including by Native Americans. According to WebMD, “studies have shown that it increases the number of white blood cells and boosts the activity of other immune cells.” (more info)
Licorice Root
Licorice is a potent anti-viral and anti-inflammatory agent, making it perfect to battle the cold and flu. Did you know it is even effective to reduce swelling of cold sores and ulcers? (source) It's also sweeter than sugar, so it adds nice flavor to this cough syrup.
Honey
Honey is antibacterial and packed with antioxidants – if it is raw, unheated and organic. Heating honey turns it into pure sucrose (source). The darker the honey, the better as it contains more of those healing properties. Honey is added in this recipe as a coughsuppressant, as it soothes and moisturizes the throat, and to aid in fighting off bacteria. And get this – honey has actually been proven in medical studies to be a BETTER coughsuppressantthan over-the-counter drugs:
In a study that involved 139 children, honey beat outdextromethorphan(acough suppressant) and diphenhydramine (an antihistamine) in easing nighttime cough in children and improving theirsleep. (source)
Pretty cool, eh? So, let's make this stuff!
Print
Echinacea, Licorice and Honey All Natural Cough Syrup
3/4 to 1 cup honey (raw, organic, local honey is best)
4 cups distilled water
1/2 tablespoon cinnamon
2 tbsp. fresh ginger root, minced or finely chopped
Instructions
Place the echinacea, licorice, cinnamon and ginger into a pot of 4 cups of distilled water.
Heat water until boiling, then reduce to a simmer for 45 minutes (the longer it simmers the more goodness you'll get out of the herbs). Reduce the water by half.
Sift out the herbs from the water by using a French press or cheese cloth.
Pour into a jar and let it cool until warm.
Add the honey and stir.
Take 1-2 tablespoons 2-3 times a day at the first sign of a cold or flu and continue taking as needed.
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The bottom line. Honey and saltwater gargles are popular home remedies for coughing. You can also drink herbal teas made of peppermint, ginger, slippery elm, thyme, turmeric, or marshmallow root. There's some evidence that bromelain supplements and probiotics can help ease a cough, but more evidence is needed.
To make this classic cough syrup at home, take a pan and brew 1 cup water and 2 tbsp ginger, lemon slices grated. Allow the mixture to reduce to half. Once done, crush 7-8 fresh peppercorns and add it to the blend. Lastly, add in 4 tulsi leaves and honey, turn off the flame and let it cool down.
Hot lemon with honey has a similar effect to cough medicines. Squeeze half a lemon into a mug of boiled water. Add 1 to 2 teaspoons of honey. Drink while still warm (do not give hot drinks to small children).
stirring 1/2 teaspoon of salt into a cup of warm water until it dissolves. allowing the solution to cool slightly before using it to gargle. letting the mixture sit at the back of the throat for a few moments before spitting it out. doing this several times each day until the cough improves.
If a person needs to stop coughing, a person can try drinking water, taking OTC cough medications, and using cough drops. To help prevent future cough attacks, it is also important to address any underlying conditions that may be causing coughing.
The active ingredient listed is usually dextromethorphan (DM). Other cough suppressants include camphor, eucalyptus oil, and menthol. Combination cough products have more than one active ingredient. They have both guaifenesin and dextromethorphan.
Drinking tea or warm lemon water mixed with honey is a time-honored way to soothe a sore throat. But honey alone may be an effective cough suppressant, too. In one study, children ages 1 to 5 with upper respiratory tract infections were given up to 2 teaspoons (10 milliliters) of honey at bedtime.
Its acids may work similarly to lemon or pineapple juice to stop the tickly sensation that leads to coughing. To use: Mix 2 tablespoons of a high-quality apple cider vinegar into a tall glass of water. Drink up to two times per day for cough relief. Avoid taking plain apple cider vinegar without diluting it.
Simple Linctus is a cough mixture used to help relieve a sore throat, and make it easier to cough up phlegm. Simple Linctus can be used by adults and children over the age of 12. Simple Linctus contains the active ingredient citric acid.
Our panel of pharmacists rank the best medicine brands, and Delsym is their No. 1 pick in cough suppressants. Also view Best Cough Drops, Best Expectorants and Best Sore Throat Sprays.
For best results, drink teas made from herbal cough remedies like peppermint or ginger and add honey. Although these natural remedies may give you some immediate relief, the only way to truly treat a cough is to resolve the underlying cause.
To do: Chop two onions into small pieces and add layer the onion with about a ½ cup (more or less) of sugar, making sure the onion bits are well coated with sugar. Place in mason jar and give it a shake. Leave it on the kitchen counter. The mixture will reduce and be ready in about 12 hours.
To reduce nighttime dry cough, try taking a teaspoon of honey or putting it in a cup of tea before you go to bed. Drinking peppermint tea or gargling with salt water may also help. Check out these additional tips on how to stop coughing at night.
Introduction: My name is Annamae Dooley, I am a witty, quaint, lovely, clever, rich, sparkling, powerful person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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