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
{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.
Melissa says
How often can you take
Mary Younkin says
As often as you need it, Melissa. There’s nothing here that will make you sick if you take it often.
Arthur says
Mary,
I just wanted to thank you for this amazing recipe! I’ve had a nagging cough for the last 5 days and no amount of OTC syrups or cough drops have helped. I finally searched for “home cough remedy”, found your site and gave this simple concoction a try and I’m happy to say that it worked INSTANTLY! Just 1 tablespoon (3 teaspoons actually). For anyone worried about the taste, it’s fine. There was a slight warmth/spiciness afterward in my gut so it may be an concern for someone with gastrointestinal issues but, otherwise, nothing serious.
I haven’t had this much relief in days! Thank you so much! Now I’m off to explore your other recipes.
Mary Younkin says
Oh, I am so happy to hear that it helped, Arthur!
Carolyn Washington says
What can I substitute ginger with? I used cinnamon on the fly.
Mary Younkin says
You can use fresh ginger in place of the ground ginger. However, for throat and cough soothing properties, I have no idea what else might work. In cooking, you could sub ground allspice, ground cinnamon, ground mace, or ground nutmeg for ground ginger.
Sandy Adams says
Since I have liver issues and cannot have store bought cough stuff I made yours. It works amazing! Now the girls at work make it for themselves and family and my own kids ask for it. I would like to know how long it will last in refrigerator since there really isn’t anything to go bad quickly? Thank you for the recipe.
Mary Younkin says
I’m so glad that it has been helpful, Sandy! I typically make it and leave it on the counter until it’s gone, but that’s usually just a day or two. While there really isn’t anything here to “go bad” I’ve never tried keeping it for a longer period of time in the fridge.
Gail says
I make a quart at a time and keep it in the refrigerator. It lasts “forever “. Seriously, more than a year. Still works just like brand new.
Mary Younkin says
That’s great to know, Gail. I’m glad it’s working so well for you!
Yolz says
Works big time!!!
Mary Younkin says
I’m thrilled to hear that, Yolz!
JULIA Ann Reser says
I found a reference to this on Steve Quayle’s special site. But all he did was mention the ingredients and the storage. No measurements…good ole internet. He probably found your recipe years ago and forgot who and where he found it. I am taking this tonite before bed. By the way, how often the dosage?
Mary Younkin says
I just use this as needed, Julia. I’m glad it’s helpful!
Betsy Tomaszewski says
Delicious and works great. I’ve used this for years. So glad you reposted the info. Thank you.
Mary Younkin says
I’m so glad that this has been helpful, Betsy!
Prudence says
thanks alot for this. But my challenge is getting cayene pepper. Can the syrup be done with other ingrediients except the cayene pepper?
Mary Younkin says
You can certainly make it without the cayenne, Prudence. I can’t speak to how effective it might be that way though.
Pat says
Hi.what is the dosage for the cough mixture and how often should it be taken?
Mary Younkin says
We take a tablespoon or two at a time, Pat.
Gina says
I can. I just posted a comment about leaving out the cayenne pepper. I absolutely worked for my 2 yr old niece. Go read my comment.
Mary Younkin says
I’m so glad to hear it, Gina!
Gina says
My 2 year old great niece was so sick. That baby coughed every breath. Took her to her pediatrician and he said that he didn’t prescribe any medication for any reason to a child under 4 years of age. (Form your own opinion on that. I’m still a little torn about it. She coughed so much that she hadn’t slept in 2 days. So we went searching for something, anything that was safe to give her. We bought so many over the counter medications for children her age we could have opened up a small pharmacy. We went searching again and found this recipe you have posted. We made two batches, one with cayenne pepper and one without. We were Leary of her age and cayenne being too much for her. We had to hold her and make her swallow it, it’s not very tasty as far as a child’s concerned lol but when you have a child that is so sick it’s something you’ve got to do. After about 20 minutes or so it stopped. The coughing stopped. Completely. She fell asleep in just a couple minutes it seemed. And she slept silently from around 10 that night to 8 the next morning. This stuff is great. So grateful that you posted it. Thank you.
Mary Younkin says
I’m so glad to hear that it was helpful, Gina.
Erica says
How much did you give her, Gina? We’re in the same boat over here. 😩
Julie says
Works super well, so happy to stop coughing!!!
Mary Younkin says
I’m thrilled to hear that, Julie!
Alice says
My daughter’s been home sick with a bad cough and with what’s going on in today’s environment I didn’t want to wait. She said it’s pretty amazing. Everyone should have this on hand.
Thank you for sharing this recipe.
Mary Younkin says
I’m so glad that it helped, Alice!
Kyla E Upshaw says
Will white vinegar work?
Mary Younkin says
I haven’t tried it, Kyla, but I’m guessing it will work.
HAZEL says
JUST AMAZING! It worked 😊😊😊😊
Mary Younkin says
I’m so happy to hear that, Hazel!
Beat says
I just made this for a friend that has been coughing for about a month now. He had the first dosage today I’m hoping it works. How long does it usually take before you notice it take effect?
Mary Younkin says
It typically helps pretty quickly. Hope he feels better soon!
Beat111 says
It worked!!! It worked almost immediately. After two days of taking the remedy his cough was gone, I am so amazed at how great it worked. I am saving this recipe and will definitely be my go to from now on. Thank you for sharing it!
Mary Younkin says
I’m so glad it helped!
Tim Webb says
It burned my mouth and it is still burning. It is killing me. Are you sure you listed the recipe correctly?
Mary Younkin says
It is strong, Tim, and cayenne pepper is hot, but it shouldn’t be burning you. Did you follow the measurements exactly? For what it’s worth, when consuming spicy foods, a piece of bread will help neutralize the heat. That said, I’ve never experienced that level of heat with this remedy.
Michael Watson says
Thank you, I really needed something fast and convenient and that’s exactly what I got when I used this simple recipe for coughing.
Mary Younkin says
I’m glad that it helped, Michael!
Angela Mead says
I have been coughing for several days, today was the worst. I had nothing in the house so Google sent me to your page. I made it exactly as written except I grated fresh ginger instead of powder. It literally stopped my cough dead in it’s tracks! THANK YOU!!!!!
Mary Younkin says
I’m glad it helped with your cough, Angela!
Gvan says
Hello! Can I use fresh ginger instead of powdered ginger?
Mary Younkin says
That should work fine, Gvan.
Eva Gandionco says
Very effective home remedy! Start once you feel your cough coming. One tablespoon once s day.
Mary Younkin says
I’m happy to hear that it is helping, Eva!
Joseph PG says
Can we use white vinegar?
Mary Younkin says
I’ve never tried that, Joseph.