This is a simple, soothing cough remedy that you can make with ingredients you already have in your kitchen. The best part: it's all natural, of course!
The Ingredients
Before we get to the recipe, let's briefly discuss each of the ingredients' below.
- Onion: It contains sulfur compounds (making it an expectorant) that help fight mucus, promoting mucus/phlegm expulsion from your airways. It has antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, immune-regulating properties.
- Ginger: It is anti-inflammatory that can help relieve throat pain. Ginger can also boost immunity to help fight infections that cause sore throat.
- Raw Honey: Raw honey, which means that it is unfiltered and unheated, is best because the raw state helps preserve its natural enzymes, antioxidants, and antimicrobial properties. The antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties of honey make it helpful for decreasing inflammation and irritation in the throat.
The Recipe
This syrup is great for minor coughs and upper respiratory tract infections. It combines the soothing properties of onions, ginger, and honey to help relieve pain.
Ingredients
- 1 large onion, peeled and diced
- 2 pieces of ginger (about the size of your thumbs), peeled and finely chopped
- Just enough honey to cover the honey (but not deeply submerged)
- 1 clean glass jar with lid
Instructions
- Fill the jar 1/2 - 3/4 full with onion. Add the ginger to the jar.
- Top with enough honey to fully cover the onions. Give it a little shake.
- Leave to infuse in a cool place, out of direct sunlight, for 24-48 hours.
- Note that the syrup will become a bit fizzy as the honey extracts all the goodness from the other ingredients. This is fermentation in action.
- Once the infusion is complete, strain the syrup with a sieve to remove the onion and ginger. Then return the syrup to the jar. (You can also choose to skip this step and consume the plant matter as well with the syrup)
- Label and store the cough syrup in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. Stir or shake well before each use.
- Discard if there are any signs of spoilage, such as an off smell or color, or any type of growth.
Dosage
- Adults: 1-2 teaspoons as needed, up to 6 times a day (no more than every 4 hours)
- Children: half the adult dosage
- Do not give to young children under 18 months
Optional Additions for an Extra Boost
- Antimicrobials
- Sage (Salvia officinalis): 1/4 cup, roughly chopped
- Garlic (Zingiber officinale): 3 - 4 cloves, finely grated
- Soothing Demulcents & Anti-Inflammatories
- Marshmallow Root (Althea officinalis): 1/2 tsp powered root or 1 Tbsp of chopped root
- Turmeric Powder (Curcuma longa): 1 Tbsp
- Lemon: 1/4 lemon per dose (separate the amount you want to use of the onion-honey syrup first, then add a squeeze of lemon so that the entire batch's shelf life isn't reduced)
*Statements concerning the use and effectiveness of this syrup has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This syrup is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.