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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 just made this (didn’t have cayenne), as I have been dealing with a cold every month around menstruation time, for the last 6 months…fun right? I will let you know how it works! Thanks so much!
I tried this because I didn’t have lemons as most recipes call for. I’m glad that I did because it does help my cough calm down when alternating with a gargle of salt water. It is certainly better than store bought with the glucose and sucralose and whatever else. I leave out the cayenne because I have a sensitivity to it. Thank you, this will be my go-to from now on!
I should also mention that I hatted fresh ginger and squeezed the juice in to it!
That she’d say grated oops
This stuff is amazing!! I’ve had this terrible cough for 1.5 weeks, the hacking has made me dizzy, see stars, kept me up at night etc. my poor lungs have been aching and felt like I needed an asthma inhaler. I didn’t want to go to the dr , get on antibiotics, or buy otc drugs which make me feel loopy and out of it. I googled and found this recipe. I made it this morning and subbed lemon juice. I’m in awe how the cough spasms stopped and I can breathe. Sinuses also have cleared without using my neti-pot saline rinse. Thanks so much for this helpful recipe. This is my go-to remedy when I feel a cold/flu coming on. You are a Godsend for sharing this. 🙂
Does this remedy works in summer season also
How long are you able to store the syrup in the refrigerator?
Thank you for posting this again! I hate taking over the counter medications – any medications, actually – and am glad to have this recipe on hand when the need arises. All the ingredients are in my cupboard. So easy and natural.
I’m going to make this and keep it on hand rhis winter.
Hi. Please could u email me the cough syrup recepi
Thank you…..your website is very welcoming.
I really suffering from cough even i have finished a lots of cough syrup.but still not getting relief.
Now ur natural remedy,i am going to use..ma last hope:(
Thanks for sharing your homemade cough remedy. I have a few questions for you.
1. Can Manuka honey be used instead of normal honey?
2. Is it possible to use freshly finely grated ginger instead of ground ginger?
Thanks.
I imagine both of those will work fine, although I’ve never tried them. If you do, let me know how it works for you.
Tried it—it works!!!!! ☺
WHATEVER WORKS
Perfect remedy, all the ingredients in the kitchen and can try this cough remedy. Thanks for sharing.