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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.
I didn’t have cayenne pepper, so I substituted freshly ground black pepper. It didn’t taste nearly bead as I feared. I’m feeling the helpful clearing of my sinuses and chest. I’ll be making this again.
How much for dose?
This does get rid of a sore throat
And calms a cough
But you do not need all of that stuff.
Just use the Apple Cider Vineger
A couple of tablespoons down the throat (let it set on back of throat if possiable) follow with drinking cold water to clear the taste in mouth if needed. It works and its all worth it.
Because sore throats Suck.
This has been my go to remedy for years! Works so well I have coworkers that now use it as well.
Well that was funny. Both of my kids are ill with a cough. I whipped up my first batch of this. They put up a hilarious fuss. Eventually they got it down the hatch. Neither of them have noticed they’ve stopped coughing. Lol
You make a big mistake not including onion tea in this mixture.
Gotta have faith. My. Own is 3 fingers whiskey. To 3 fingers honey stir &hold onto summat. Down 1/2of it. You cough do rest. Don’t drive!! .
How often can you take this? Every 4 hours?
The ingredients are simple food items. I don’t see a problem with taking it as often as every hour, if you need it. I typically take it a few times a day, as needed.
I used this for myself and my Son a few years ago and worked great. Now he asks for it when he’s coughing. Just dug out the recipe for my husband who is coughing away. I’m not hearing anything now! Thanks again. So much better than OTC.
how much to take or how often?
Thank you for a late nite fix to a nagging cough! My husband is finally getting some sleep. This recipe is perfect for this awful flu cold virus that is going around this year.
This is the best cold remedy!!! I’ve tried and works very well,thank you Mary! I use fresh ginger instead of ground ginger and I add lemon juice, just because when I get sick I like sour and sweet mixed( I do have a crazy tastebuds I guess 🙂 )
Made this for my husband today. How often would you recommend taking in a day?
There’s nothing in it that could be dangerous if overdosed, so I’d say use it as needed. The one possibility is if you’re diabetic and using so much honey would be detrimental to your blood sugar levels.
Thank you for this recipe. Stopped my daughter’s cough in 5 minutes!!
THANK YOU! WILL MIX AN HOPEFULLY HELP MY HUSBANDS COUGH! KEEP THESE HOMEMADE, HEALTHY RECIPES POSTED!
It really worked on my cough.
Miserable with a Cold, scrolling through Facebook, I came across this Recipe! I made it (without cayenne-did not have) and within 30 minutes my Sinuses are opening up! Thank you Thank you Thank you for sharing this.
Husband was up all night coughing. Made this for him. One dose and the coughing stopped.
Went to bed, couldn’t stop coughing (I’m recovering from the flu), googled and found this. Whoa, potent stuff! Will report back on how it works…tho it seems to have helped already.