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This Homemade Cough Remedy is a spicy, honey-cider syrup potent enough to calm a cough and soothe a sore throat. Over the past few years, this handy little remedy has become one of the most popular posts on this website.
As I mixed up a batch for my son last night, I decided to re-share it with all of you, as a testament to just how much we use it!
After making it all the way through the holidays without a cough, a sneeze, or a fever, cold season hit us like a freight train on New Year’s Day. My boys were miserable and I started to feel it as well after a couple of days.
I remembered saving this Homemade Cough Remedy recipe to try, so I shook up a tiny little test batch and tested a spoonful on myself.
Consider yourself warned, this is a natural cough suppressant that is both seriously spicy and potent enough to actually clear your head. Personally, I think it tastes better than any store-bought cough syrup I’ve tried.
With only a handful of pantry ingredients and a few minutes of effort, this Homemade Cough Remedy was sitting on my counter.
I was amazed at how well it worked to completely clear our congestion. My oldest son was willing to try it as well and I couldn’t believe how quickly it worked on his cough.
Homemade Cough Remedy
It cleared his throat and he slept solidly through the night. Over the counter cough medicines don’t even accomplish that for us!
The powerful ingredients in this remedy are common everyday items: ginger, cayenne, cider vinegar and honey. Yet they work together to create a potent remedy for cold symptoms. It’s definitely worth trying before turning to the medicine cabinet once again this winter.
Updated to add: I’ve been making this cough remedy for so long now, all three of my kids request it anytime they start coughing. The serving size (or dosage) will vary depending on the person. My 11 and 13-year-old sons take a tablespoon without a problem, my 7-year-old takes about a teaspoon. A full tablespoon works great for my husband and for me.
Kitchen Tip: I use this jar to store the cough remedy.
Homemade Cough Syrup
- Place the vinegar, honey, water, cayenne, and ginger in a small jar and shake to combine.
- Leave at room temperature for a few days or place in the refrigerator for longer storage.
- Shake well each time, before using. The spices will not dissolve into the liquid. It will not be a thick syrup, it should remain watery.
- Take as needed and have a happy and healthy new year!
Homemade Cough Remedy
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar preferably Bragg’s, if available
- 2 tablespoons honey locally produced raw honey is best, if available
- 2 tablespoons water
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
Instructions
- Place all the ingredients in a small jar and shake to combine.
- Leave at room temperature for a few days or place in the refrigerator for longer storage.
- Shake well each time, before using. The spices will not dissolve into the liquid. It will not be a thick syrup, it should remain watery.
- Take as needed and have a happy and healthy new year!
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
{originally published 1/8/13 – recipe notes and photos updated 1/3/22}
This cough remedy has been gently adapted from and with thanks to Nancy Vienneau’s (no longer active) blog, Good Food Matters.
Of course, I just got over a serious cough about two days ago! lol oh well, I'll keep this for next time.. cause I know there will be a next time!! Thanks for sharing, Mary!
I am DEFINITELY trying this. I've had a cough for the past week and my boyfriend keeps trying to get me to take cough syrup. And I refuse. But a homemade version…I am totally going to try!
Hi Mary, thanks for sharing this home remedy with your readers, and spreading the word. It really helps, doesn't it?
Thanks for this recipe! I am definitely going to try it the next time someone gets a cough!
O please tell me how much of this you’re supposed to take at a time
What a great idea! I've never thought to make my own cough syrup before. I hope you are all feeling better now.
Well that looks good enough to spread on toast! Hope you are feeling better and I will put this in my "Mary's Awesome Recipe" file to try one day when needed 🙂
I seriously cannot wait to share this with my dad who has been suffering from a horrible cough for weeks! Thanks for sharing!
We definitely need this down here!
What a great idea! I'm going to pin this for the next cold I have!
Just made some! My oldest has had a nasty lingering cough so I figured why not? Will let you know how it goes! Thanks for sharing.
How did it go??
I have found that homemade concoctions are always the best. My mother used to add glycerin too.
What did the glycerin do?
Glycerin, like honey, coats and helps sooth. It often lasts longer than honey.
Do you use glycerin in place of the honey?
Honey has enormous Healing properties, plus, it soothes. Glycerin, however, only soothes…
I WILL TRY THIS WHEN I GET A COLD. THIS IS A WHOLE LOT CHEAPER THAN THE STORE BRAND COUGH SYRUP.
My Amish Family Version is[ minus the Cayenne] replace with Garlic–I have bad knees so I threw in Tumeric Lemon to help favor-& Ginger Vinegar Honey Lemon Garlic (Tumeric & or Cayenne) it defintely helps knock out the PHELGM
How much of each ingredient do you use? Thank you.
Did anyone else use this and see positive results!?
Our family of six drinks this at the first sign of any sniffle/cough, we typically just add to hot tea. Our recipe is very similar. So far we have all stayed pretty healthy. We use two tablespoons of raw apple cider vinegar, three tablespoons of raw honey & fresh grated ginger to taste – if heads are stuffy then we add the cayenne. Drink this once in the AM & once in the PM. 🙂
Yes, It really helps. Loosens up the mucus in chest & brings it up, I also take Mullein, with this.
My husband loves this stuff, since he is a smoker. When he gets sick you can hear the congestion in his chest and the coughing sounds the worst. But when I started to make this remedies he drinks it everyday. Cough is gone and congestion gone. The only thing I changed was the Cayenne 1/2 tsp. He just loves SPICY and Hot everything.
Hello!
How much does this make?
Have a Joyful Day :~D
Charlie
The yield is about 1/3 cup.
Very nice post
Joint Replacement India
I made up a batch of this yesterday as I can feel a cold coming on. So far, so good!
I made some for my mum, and here's the result: AWESOME. she coughed only once tonight, before she seemed like she was going to hack out her lungs!! :'
( I was so worried for her, I'm soo thankful for this! thank you! I'll be making some for my pastor and friends at school as well! :DD
-Momo
Made it, loved it and added some mullein tincture to it for an even better anti-coughing effect! Thank you!
Here, forgot the link: http://healthymamainfo.com/2013/01/homemade-cough-syrup/
What is mullein tincture ? Thank you
Here is a link, Barb!
http://www.everygreenherb.com/mullein.html
Could this be made into a larger batch? If so, what's it's shelf life?
Yes, it can easily be doubled or tripled. I'm not sure of the shelf life. It only takes a minute or so to make up a batch as needed, so I haven't make it in large amounts.
Tried this several days ago for the whole household – two with sinus infections and all three with rotten hacking coughs. The stuff is amazing. Even the four year old tolerated it, despite her "bleah" comment. We all slept much better and with nearly no coughing. Opens nasal passages as well. Thanks to you and to Nancy! 🙂
You just saved me a trip to the store! Thank you so much, this worked instantly!