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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.
Thanks for sharing this cough remedy treatment. Apple cider vinegar does a lot of wonders when it comes to our health. I also suffer coughs from time to time, so this is useful for me.
What is the ginger for? I figure the Cheyenne is to numb a sore throat but what’s the ginger for?
Thank you for this. I have been taking a tablespoon of Apple Cidar and drinking hot lemon tea with a tablespoon of honey. But I also have the crap in my throat to loosen up also.
I have had this cold for the past 3 weeks already I will have to try it.
I’m a Breastfeeding mom so I haven’t taken any over the counter medication besides Tylenol or Advil for headaches is quite some time. I made a jar of this remedy this morning and took my first dose. Hoping it helps. I woke up feeling congested and coughing. How often should I take a tablespoon of it?
Thankyou for this recipe
How much of the mix is one supposed to drink at a time? How about children?
Can this be made into cough drops?
how long will this last in the refrigerator?
Have passed the cough remedy onto a work colleague and so far it’s working.
Making this! Love knowing the full length of the ingredients. Thank you for sharing. I wonder if I could put this in candy mold & freeze for like a cough drop?
GREAT idea~~~
I used lemon juice instead of apple cider vinegar because I didn’t have any apple cider vinegar hoping this works been coughing all day lost my voice earlier today
Definitely going to try this tomorrow. I can’t sleep due to this acute bronchitis. Hoping this works for that. I will let you know . Lord I need sleep.
Halelialua!!!
You saved me from getting on a greyhound bus with the flu!!!!
A week before i was due to go on my trip, i was stupid enough to see my doctor who gave me a flu shot. Needless to say symptoms came on like a runaway freight train.
Thanks!!!
I will ALWAYS keep it on hamd!!!
I have tried your fought mixture today hopes it works can I give it to a 4 year child thank you
thank you for cough remeday
I actually tried it and its awesome! I may have overdone the ginger – I love ginger. My son thought the ginger was too much although he enjoyed the syrup.
Hi just made the cough remedy. Have had this horrible cough for about 2 months now.. so tired… took my first tablespoon. So with Faith in my heart I truly hope it works for me.. As I am also an asthmatic.. thks..