DIY Herbal Cough Syrup Recipe

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homemade natural cough syrup
Wellness Mama » Blog » Natural Remedies » DIY Herbal Cough Syrup Recipe

We don’t get sick often, and when we do, I prefer to let the body fight the illness naturally whenever possible. That being said, illnesses that include coughing (like bronchitis or a particularly bad flu season) can be exhausting and uncomfortable because they limit the ability to sleep well.

In those cases, I use this homemade cough syrup to soothe the urge to cough and help the afflicted get some much-needed rest.

Ingredients for a Natural Cough Remedy

This easy home remedy is full of healthy ingredients that naturally soothe a sore throat and boost the immune system.

Here are the essential ingredients of this cough medicine, and the healing properties of each:

  • Raw honey can help stop the coughing (as long as the children taking it are over a year old). In fact, a spoonful by itself could do the trick!
  • Lemon juice provides a necessary dose of vitamin C.
  • Fresh ginger is naturally anti-inflammatory and has an expectorant action, but ground ginger works just as well.
  • Chamomile soothes muscles, making it useful in relieving the “tickle” in the throat, plus it promotes restful sleep. 
  • Marshmallow root has one of the highest mucilaginous contents of all herbs and coats and soothes the throat. 
  • Cinnamon helps boost the immune system and improve taste.

You can find most of these ingredients in your local health store, grocery store, or on Amazon. I’ve provided links in the recipe below to the sources I use.

FAQs

I’ve gotten a lot of great questions about my homemade cough syrup recipe! Here’s a few common ones:

  • Where can I find chamomile flowers? You can find whole flowers at a local herb store, Asian market, or online. You can also use pure chamomile tea bags if that’s easier. Or you can grow your own! If you want to use chamomile oil, add it after the concoction has cooled.
  • What if I don’t have marshmallow root? You can use fenugreek seeds instead, or just skip it.
  • Can I freeze small portions in an ice tray to extend shelf life? Sure, why not!
  • How long will this last? For two months in the fridge.
  • Can I add healthy additions to make this cough suppressant even more powerful? Yes! A bit of horehound, slippery elm, cherry bark extract, apple cider vinegar, turmeric, or cayenne pepper would all make great add-ons.
  • What about young children? I stick to nursing and warm Epsom salt baths for babies. Check with your doctor about using raw honey on children under 2. You can also replace the honey with maple syrup for very young kids if you’re concerned about the honey.
  • Can I add essential oils? I’d be careful, as most essential oils should not be taken internally.
  • How should I store this homemade cough remedy? In the fridge in an airtight container. A glass jar would be a great choice.
  • Is this cough syrup good for a dry cough? While this one can help, this wild cherry bark cough syrup is particularly good with dry, hot, irritated coughs. Traditionally it’s been used for whooping cough, chronic coughs, pneumonia, and bronchitis.

Homemade Herbal Cough Syrup Recipe

This easy combination of herbs helps soothe the throat to ease coughing and promote restful sleep. I only use this remedy on children who are older due to the raw honey. Check with your doctor before using with kids under two years old. If you want to be extra careful, you can also substitute maple syrup in its place.

homemade natural cough syrup
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4.06 from 55 votes

Honey Cough Syrup Recipe

This soothing cough syrup uses honey, herbs, and citrus to calm coughing and sore throat. 
Yield: 0
Author: Katie Wells

Materials

Instructions

  • In a medium size saucepan, combine the water and dried herbs.
  • Bring it to a boil and then reduce to a simmer.
  • Simmer until the volume is reduced by about half (you will need 1 cup of liquid after herbs are strained off).
  • Pour the herb infused water through a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth to remove herbs (compost the herbs!).
  • While the liquid is still warm, whisk in the lemon juice and honey.
  • Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 months.

Notes

I give 1 teaspoon to children and 1 tablespoon to adults as needed for symptoms.
Note: Anyone allergic to ragweed, marigolds, daisies, or chrysanthemums should avoid chamomile.

Note: My personal experience cannot replace medical advice. Please check with your doctor if concerned about symptoms.

Like this recipe? Check out my new cookbook, or get all my recipes (over 500!) in a personalized weekly meal planner here!

This article was medically reviewed by Dr. Jennifer Walker, an internal medicine physician. As always, this is not personal medical advice and we recommend that you talk with your doctor or work with a doctor at SteadyMD.

Have you ever made cough syrup? What herbs did you add? What natural remedies do you use to ease coughing? Share below!
Herbal cough syrup is a natural homemade alternative to conventional cough syrup. It contains herbs that help soothe the throat and promote restful sleep.

Sources

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Katie Wells Avatar

About Katie Wells

Katie Wells, CTNC, MCHC, Founder of Wellness Mama and Co-founder of Wellnesse, has a background in research, journalism, and nutrition. As a mom of six, she turned to research and took health into her own hands to find answers to her health problems. WellnessMama.com is the culmination of her thousands of hours of research and all posts are medically reviewed and verified by the Wellness Mama research team. Katie is also the author of the bestselling books The Wellness Mama Cookbook and The Wellness Mama 5-Step Lifestyle Detox.

Comments

166 responses to “DIY Herbal Cough Syrup Recipe”

  1. Ann Avatar

    5 stars
    I have been making this syrup a few times now and is amazing.It does take care of a cough in about 2-3 days. Thankfully I did not have to use it on my kids, as they really don’t get sick, but my husband does and I also get a scratchy throat about once a year.For me it works in 2 days.
    Now,I was wondering if this syrup could be made in a crock pot on a low setting.Does anyone know ?

  2. Tiffany Avatar

    I am making this now! How often would you administer it in a child with a cough? Few times a day or every 2-3 hours?

  3. Sandra Avatar

    I can only find marshmellow root in capsules. How much should I use?
    I’ll just open them and pour it in.

  4. Sarah Avatar

    I usually add a small amount of alcohol, in addition to raw honey, to my homemade cough syrups to extend their shelf-life & to allow the alcohol-extractable propertie of the herbs I use in it to leach out into the syrup. Gives it a tiny kick too, helping sleep come easily when we’re miserable, congested & coughing. Vodka works, as does everclear, although the amount used should be adjusted based on the fact that the everclear is much stronger.

  5. Carrie Avatar

    What’s an alternative for lemon juice for someone who’s allergic to lemon/lime?

  6. Rach Avatar

    How long does this last, and do you just store it in pantry or refridgerate it?

  7. Julie Elzinga Avatar
    Julie Elzinga

    This is such a great idea!! When I have a cold, I always want something to help the cough and sore throat. But cough medicine ingredients scare me and the natural stuff at health food stores are expensive. I’ll try this the next time a cold hits!

  8. Karen Avatar

    I have severe chronic Candida (systemic fungal) problems. The ONLY sweeteners I can use are birch xylitol and stevia. I have a bad sore throat with a cough and looking for a product or recipe to take or make.

  9. Katie Avatar

    Maybe a stupid question but are you supose to swollow the cough syrup or spit it out?
    Kind Regards

  10. Mike Avatar

    Great formula! I use something similar for coughs due to URI, but I also administer a full course of Echinacea purpurea, 300mg 4Xdaily and Vitamin C 1000mg 2Xdaily for 10 to 14 days. Echinacea is proven to triple your body’s ability to destroy pathogens and I have never found anything else that comes close to it’s effectiveness in treating colds and other common infections. Just treat it like a prescription antibiotic and take the full course to be sure you are completely rid of whatever bug you had.

  11. Liz Harker Avatar
    Liz Harker

    I just made this yesterday and my daughter already feels better. I even gave some to my ex husband who is sick. I will be making another batch soon! This syrup really made me feel better -even my mood has improved! AMAZING! THANK YOU SO MUCH!

  12. cathy Avatar

    How long is tbe simmer down process? A friend of mine always makes this for me & I thought I would give it a try. My kids love it & it world’s great. Everything came together I just think I didn’t cook it long enough. Its not a thick liquid. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

  13. Malissa Avatar

    Maybe I overlooked it in a previous comment, but is the dose of 1 teaspoon for a child just once a day, or what is the recommended frequency for that dose when a child has an active cough that is disrupting naps/night sleep? My LO is 14 months. Thanks!

  14. Amber Avatar

    You are missing the most important herb for coughing – Mullein! It is like a miracle herb for bronchitis and coughs.

  15. Sangita Vasuraj Avatar
    Sangita Vasuraj

    A very good addition to this syrup would be turmeric and black pepper. I usually have a mix of honey, turmeric, black pepper & cinnamon powder available at all times. It is very thick and just 1/8-1/4 of a tsp does the trick. You can always add a tsp of this to a mug of hot milk and consume that. Works better than any sedative while calming the nasties as well. I store this mixture at room temperature.

  16. Tiffany Avatar
    Tiffany

    5 stars
    HI! I love this cough syrup recipe! It has worked wonders for us! I also add 1/4 cup of Licorice Root. B-)

    Thanks!

    Tiffany

4.06 from 55 votes (42 ratings without comment)

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