Homemade Natural Cough Syrup

Over the last ten years, we’ve learned a lot about how important reading labels is. It’s easy to be overwhelmed when walking into a health store for remedies or supplements because there are so many different options. If you’re just perusing to gather information or stock up the medicine cabinet, it feels manageable. However, if you’re in a rush trying to find something for someone sick at home, not so much!

How do you know which one to pick? Why is this one dye free and the other not? Do ingredients like corn syrup really matter? What’s the difference between artificial and natural flavoring? How do I know which product is going to be most effective?

To help clear up a few of those questions, let’s take a look at why choosing a natural cough syrup, with healthier ingredients, is a better option. We’ll also explore a few items we’ve found helpful in our household.

*This blog post contains various health information. Nothing is intended to be, nor should it be construed as, medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Any supplement(s) and/or treatment(s) discussed and/or listed should be reviewed by your health professional before using. If you have a medical concern, please consult with an appropriately-licensed physician. If you think you have a medical emergency, contact your doctor immediately. Full medical disclosure here.

Why Natural Ingredients are Better

It can be confusing, not to mention time consuming, to research what every ingredient is. Especially when half of the ingredients aren’t easily pronounced and/or are unknown unless you have a medical/science background. 

This is why sticking to products with all-natural ingredients, that are easily identifiable, is better. Honey? Great for healing wounds, has ani-bacterial properties, tastes sweet, and coats the throat. Onion and garlic? Powerhouse ingredients for fighting a litany of things, great for respiratory ailments. Peppermint and eucalyptus essential oils? When used properly, these oils help open airways quickly. 

There are innumerable herbs, flowers, and spices that God created with mending properties. Many of them, you can grow right in your own backyard, which enables you to produce your own little apothecary. 

No need to worry about side effects from food dyes (cancer risks, behavioral and allergic reactions) or artificial flavoring (synthesized from non-food sources rather than extracted from natural ingredients like plants, animals, or fermented products) or corn syrup (increased risk of diabetes, insulin resistance, obesity, glyphosate concerns, inflammation, no nutrition value) or other not so healthy ingredients. The only cautionary ingredient is honey, which has been known to cause reactions in infants.

Thyme and Onion Cough Syrup

I first saw this “infused honey” recipe on The Fewell Homestead’s Instagram page. I was immediately intrigued by the use of thyme. There is a plethora of thyme growing in several of our flower beds and using it for something other than culinary delights seemed purposeful. There are no precise measurements, just a list of ingredients with anti-bacterial/viral fighting properties.

Ingredients: 

• Handful of fresh thyme
• ½ to 1 onion (white or yellow)
• 2-3 cloves garlic
• Raw honey

To Make:

Fill the bottom half of a pint size mason jar with fresh thyme. Add sliced onions and garlic cloves until about three-fourths full. Pour in honey until everything is covered, leaving one inch head space. Loosely cover the jar with a lid and let it sit, out of direct sunlight, on the counter for one week. (Remember the lid is not tight, so be careful if you move it or it’ll leak. Don’t ask how I know this!) Strain and walla! Homemade herbal cough syrup. 

To Use:

1 Tbsp as needed. Store in the fridge for a few months. Make sure you use a fresh spoon each time to prevent spoiling. 

Essential Oil Cough Syrup

This recipe is taken from The Homesteader’s Herbal Companion by Amy Fewell. I’ve been using essential oils for many things the last few years, so it made sense to try them for this. It only took five minutes to make and the natural menthol in some of the essential oils works quickly.

I would not recommend this cough syrup for children under seven years of age. Peppermint and eucalyptus essential oils work effectively to open airways/calm the respiratory system. Since younger children’s respiratory systems are still developing, it’s best to avoid anything that might cause distress.

Ingredients:

• 3 drops eucalyptus essential oil
• 2 drops peppermint essential oil
• 4 drops lemon essential oil
• Raw honey

To Make:

Fill a small glass jar with honey. Add essential oils. Cap tightly.

To Use:

½ Tbsp every 4-6 hours. Store on the counter (out of direct sunlight) when not in use. Lasts 5-7 days. Use a clean spoon each time to prevent spoiling. 

Better Quality Store Options

If making your own homemade cough syrup isn’t an option, here are a couple healthier alternatives you can find online or at local health stores.

Earthley Wellness Cough-B-Gone – This is a great herbal tincture made with dandelion root, mullein leaves, and fenugreek seeds. I love how many of Earthley’s products are available in an alcohol free option. Our whole family has used this!

Nature’s Answer Mullein X Kids Cough Syrup – A proprietary blend of herbs and fruits mixed with honey make this a nice option. Please note the dosage is different on this one. Children aged 2-6 take 1 tsp, mixed with water or juice, every 12 hours. 

MaryRuth Organic Respiratory Health Liquid Extract – This is not a cough syrup per se, but it is an alcohol-free liquid with beneficial ingredients to help support the respiratory system.