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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 Actually Works!
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!
Echinacea, Licorice and Honey All Natural Cough Syrup
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5 from 3 reviews
A tasty and effective recipe for an all natural cough syrup that actually works to boost the immune system and suppress a cough.
- Author: Sara – My Merry Messy Life
Ingredients
Scale
- 1/2 cup echinacea root
- 1/2 cup licorice root
- 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.
