Old Fashioned Cough Syrup

Homemade old fashioned cough syrup recipe like Grandma used to make with only a few simple ingredients. This cold remedy is a great way to soothe your cold symptoms naturally with raw honey, lemon, ginger and garlic.

There’s nothing that interrupts your sleep quite as much as a persistent cough when you’re really needing a good rest. We usually get hit pretty hard in our house when cold and flu season come around. With 7 kids, it’s just bound to happen.

I have found that taking steps to build up our immune systems as soon as we come into the Winter months has really helped our family to not get hit as badly. A spoonful of a good old fashioned natural remedy every morning is the best way for us to avoid an all out epidemic in our house.

Have you tried making homemade vapor rub yet?

You can make your own DIY cough syrup using foods you probably already have in your pantry. Honey, garlic, ginger and fresh lemon juice are all powerful ingredients to clear mucus, soothe a sore throat and shorten the length of your cold symptoms.

When you find out about the amount of sugar and other junk that store-bought cough medicines are made of, you’ll really feel the push to make the switch to using natural remedies! Good old fashioned natural ways really are the best.

NOTE – I am not a medical professional and this is not medical advice. Seek medical attention if your symptoms are severe or worsen. This cough syrup recipe is meant for older children and adults. Young children should not consume honey 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 Old Fashioned cough syrup recipe

all natural

Store-bought cough syrup and most cough drops usually list 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 and nausea 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!

only 4 ingredients

You only need 4 simple ingredients to make your own cough remedy: honey, fresh ginger, garlic and lemon. Chances are, you already have all of those things on hand!

easy to make

Making this homemade cough syrup recipe is just a matter of mixing the ingredients the ingredients in a jar. It couldn’t be more simple!

really works!

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

what you need to make An Old Fashioned cough syrup recipe

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.

ginger – a large chunk of fresh ginger root.

garlic – you need one head of organic whole garlic cloves for this recipe.

lemon – one large whole lemon, or two small ones. You’ll need to use the lemon zest and lemon juice.

supplies

small glass 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.

FAQ about This Old Fashioned cough syrup recipe

how long will homemade cough syrup last?

Homemade cough syrup will last up to 3 months stored in a sealed container in the refrigerator.

is ginger good to help with coughing?

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.

Next you should try making your own cough drops made with fresh ginger!

is lemon good for a cough and cold?

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. Lemons are also very effective at breaking up mucus build up, providing relief for a sore throat.

does garlic help with a cough?

Garlic is said to have antiviral and antibacterial properties. When it is taken regularly, fresh garlic has been known to actually lower the risk of coming down with viral sicknesses in the first place. Taking garlic when a person is already sick, it can reduce the length of that sickness!

is honey an effective cough remedy?

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

How to make Old Fashioned cough syrup

Prep – Remove the papery skins from each clove of garlic and finely chop. Peel and mince the ginger root. Zest the lemon, then juice it.

Combine – Add the chopped garlic, minced ginger, lemon zest and juice in a jar. Fill the rest of the way with honey.

Let Sit – This mixture gets better and stronger the longer it sits. If you’re needing it right away, let it sit for at least an hour to give the honey a chance to absorb the flavors of the other ingredients.

tips for success

To Use – You can use this cough syrup several ways. Either take one tablespoon every couple of hours throughout the day while cough symptoms last. Or you can add a tablespoon or two to a glass of warm or hot water to drink.

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.

NOTE – I am not a medical professional and this is not medical advice. This cough syrup recipe is meant for older children and adults. Young children under one year of age should not consume honey.

more Homemade Natural Remedies on the blog:

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

• Homemade Cough Syrup for Kids
• All Natural DIY Vapor Rub
• Homemade Cough Drops
• DIY Essential Oil Insect Repellent
• Apple Cider Vinegar Gummies

I hope you love this old-fashioned remedy for a stubborn cough! 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!