Homemade Cough Syrup For Kids

Homemade cough syrup recipe for kids using only a few simple ingredients. This cold remedy is a great way to soothe your child’s sore throat and stuffy nose naturally with honey, lemon, ginger, olive oil and cinnamon.

With 7 kids in our family, someone always seems to have a runny nose as soon as cold season hits. We used to take cough drops like candy. (literally, my kids thought they were candy)

But after doing some research into the side effects of the most common ingredient found in over the counter cold medicines, we started trying natural cough remedies instead.

Have you tried making homemade vapor rub yet?

Growing up, my mom would always fix us a cup of warm lemon water with honey when my siblings and I started having cold symptoms. It definitely seemed to work because I remember feeling so much relief, especially when she gave it to me before bed.

Since I’ve been making my own cough syrup, I’ve added a few more ingredients along with lemon and honey that are known for their health benefits and antiviral properties.

Ginger and cinnamon have been used in folk medicine for centuries and really make this cough remedy extra powerful.

So the first thing I do when any of my kids start complaining of a scratchy throat is to give them a spoonful of this homemade cough syrup and plug a cool-mist humidifier in near their bed so that they can get a good night’s sleep.

Because at the end of the day, a good rest is the best medicine for your child’s cough.

NOTE – I am not a medical professional and this is not medical advice. Contact your child’s doctor and seek medical attention if symptoms are severe or worsen. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends waiting to give honey to babies until they are 12 months old.

This post contains affiliate links, which means I make a small commission at no extra cost to you. Get my full disclosure here.

why you’ll like this Homemade Cough Syrup For Kids

all natural

Store-bought cough syrup usually lists a cough suppressant called dextromethorphan as one of the active ingredients.

Dextromethorphan is a narcotic related to opium that can have side effects such as blurred vision, dizziness, nausea and stomach pain to name a few. The use of dextromethorphan as a hallucinogenic is rising and the drug administration has labeled it a “gateway drug.”

This homemade cough remedy is made with ingredients that are right in your pantry!

safe for kids

This DIY cough syrup is made with just honey, lemon, ginger, olive oil and cinnamon. Nothing to be worried about so you can feel totally at ease giving it to young children!

Keep in mind that honey isn’t recommended for babies before one year of age.

easy to make

Making homemade cough syrup is just a matter of warming the ingredients and pouring them into a jar. It couldn’t be more simple!

Next you need to try making your own cough drops using the same ingredients that are in this syrup!

really works!

Unlike over the counter cough medicines that actually just make you drowsy and block your body’s cough reflex, this natural cough remedy coats and soothes your kid’s sore throat while at the same time boosting their immune system.

what you need to make Homemade Cough Syrup For Kids

ingredients

honey – buckwheat honey or manuka honey are the best types of honey to use for health purposes because they are higher in antioxidants than other kinds. But any honey will work in this natural cough syrup.

lemon – you’ll need two whole lemons to juice. Fresh lemon juice is much more affective than store-bought juice.

olive oil – olive oil makes the cough syrup coat and soothe your little one’s sore throat and helps to ease a persistent cough.

ginger – a large chunk of fresh ginger root.

cinnamon – it’s best to use organic ground cinnamon in natural home remedies.

supplies

small jar with a lid – this recipe fits in an 8 ounce jar. You can use plastic if that’s all you have, but the flavor is better in a glass container.

How to make Homemade Cough Syrup For Kids

Prep – Peel and chop the ginger and juice the lemons.

Combine – Add all of the ingredients to a small saucepan. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly until well combined.

Pour – Pour the warmed cough syrup into a small glass jar. Let it cool and seal it with a lid.

tips for success

To Use – Warm the cough syrup one Tablespoon at a time. Administer one Tablespoon every few hours while your child’s symptoms last. Leave the ginger chunks in the jar.

To Store – This cough syrup recipe is most effective when it’s had a chance to sit for a few days before using. It will last 3 months stored in the fridge.

Variations – This mixture can be blended before refrigerating if you’d rather have it smooth than chunky.

Substitutions – Manuka or buckwheat honey are recommended for homemade cough syrups, but raw honey will work in a pinch. Apple cider vinegar can be used instead of lemon juice.

FAQ about Homemade Cough Syrup For Kids

is cinnamon good for a cough and cold?

Cinnamon is rich in antioxidant polyphenols and proanthocyanidins that boost your immunity naturally. It is also packed with antiviral, antibacterial and antifungal properties.

does ginger break up mucus?

Fresh ginger has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antimicrobial properties, making it very helpful in fighting infections. The anti-inflammatory properties of ginger can help soothe a sore throat by reducing inflammation and itching.

is lemon good for a cough?

Lemon are very effective at breaking up mucus. Because fresh lemons are loaded with vitamin C they help to boost the immune system and strengthen the body’s ability to fight off infection.

can honey stop coughing?

Studies done by the mayo clinic have shown that honey is as affective as dextromethorphan (the active ingredient in conventional cough syrups) when treating a sore throat. Honey coats the throat and soothes the mucus membranes, making a person cough less.

More Homemade Natural Remedies On The Blog:

If you liked this cough syrup, I think you’ll really enjoy these other healthy recipes on the blog!

• Old Fashioned Cough Syrup Recipe
• All Natural DIY Vapor Rub
• Lemon Ginger Hard Candy
• DIY Essential Oil Insect Repellent
• Apple Cider Vinegar Gummies

I hope you love this recipe for homemade cough syrup for kids! If you make it, I’d love for you to come back and leave a comment and rating so that I know how you like using it!

Pin these steps to try later. Tag @athomeontheprairie on Instagram to share what you’ve made with us!