Home Remedy Cough Syrup is made with kitchen ingredients! No dyes, chemicals, preservatives, or synthetic ingredients. A natural expectorant that works.
Honey, spices, and apple cider vinegar combine to make this old-fashioned cough syrup recipe. It tastes good and works to help you stop coughing, and there are no side effects.
Soothe your sore throat and relieve persistent coughs with this DIY all-natural homemade cough syrup. Made in 5 minutes!
Making this homemade cough medicine will save you money. Believe me when I say this is the best natural cough syrup around! Over-the-counter cough medicine for coughs and colds taste terrible. Most of the time they don’t work and can be very expensive. There is also the risk of side effects.
It is just after the Christmas holidays, and colds and coughs are hitting everyone. This natural expectorant is a staple in our house this time of year. I prefer a more natural approach to help us during cough, cold, and flu season. This honey ginger cough syrup recipe is just what you need.
There are loads of foods and spices that are jam-packed with healing properties. I would much rather fight a cough and cold with food than medication. I did some searching and reading to find a better way to win the fight and yes it does exist. Natural cough remedies are a great alternative.
There is nothing better than wrapping your hands around a nice hot bowl or mug of homemade soup to make you feel better. Here are some of our favourites:
How To Make Homemade Cough Remedy
This old-fashioned cough syrup requires simple kitchen ingredients.
- honey
- apple cider vinegar
- cayenne pepper
- cinnamon
- ginger
- hot water
Place all the ingredients into a small glass jar. Shake to mix well. Your cough medicine is ready to use.
Here are some READERS Comments:
Christina says:
I have been suffering from a persistent cough for the last week. Finally, after trying to go to sleep with zero success for the fourth night, I decided to look something – ANYTHING – up to try to relieve this. I came upon this recipe and immediately went to the kitchen to make it. I will be honest, was not expecting the “whoa, my goodness!” moment I had when I took the first tsp. I will, however, admit that just the one teaspoon was certainly enough, for now anyway. Thank you for sharing this, it has turned out to be a very welcome “miracle.”
Barbara says:
I’ve had a horrible cough for over 3 weeks, actually had to postpone surgery because of it. I took so many otc cough syrups and nothing worked. Last night I found this…OMG I was skeptical but this stuff works! I actually slept last night without waking up coughing my head off. Thank you so much!
M. Corey says:
It works! It did a better job than the px cough medicine given to my husband. It has a bit of a punch, so some may wish to decrease the amount of cayenne pepper added.
DIY Cough Syrup Tips
This simple and effective herbal cough syrup contains no alcohol or chemicals.
- For this recipe, I used raw unfiltered honey. I find the liquid version works best as it dissolves a little easier. Creamed or Manuka honey would also be great alternatives.
- Be sure to use organic apple cider vinegar for the best health benefits.
- If you are going to make it for kids, you might want to cut back on the cayenne, they might find it too spicy.
- Ceylon cinnamon also called “true” cinnamon is a better choice than the Cassia variety found in grocery stores.
- DO NOT give honey to children under 1 year old.
Home Remedies for Coughs, Colds And Sore Throats
This natural cough suppressant is our go-to remedy hands down. Most colds are caused by viruses. Infections usually require antibiotics, so you would have to contact your health professional.
You are the only person that can make the decision for you and your family’s health. Honey, cinnamon, and ginger have strong antibacterial properties
It is a rich source of antioxidants that can give a boost to the immune system. Cinnamon and ginger are also antiviral, antibacterial, and antifungal.
As long as it is used correctly, the acid in the vinegar may work similarly to lemon juice to stop the tickle in the throat. It always needs to be diluted with water.
Before giving honey to children, please read this article: FYI the medical profession advises against giving honey to children under 12 months of age.
Since this is made with kitchen staples, you can easily make this when needed. I have safely kept this in my kitchen cupboard for several weeks.
You can keep it in a small glass jar making it easy to shake before use.
This will be up to you. I can say we take 2 teaspoons when needed to help stop coughing. We have taken it safely several times a day, with no side effects.
Homemade Cough Remedy
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons hot water
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons honey
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ½ teaspoon ground ginger
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
Instructions
- Place all ingredients in a small glass jar.
- Secure on the lid, and shake well to combine.
- Take as often as needed.
Roman Konsewicz
So far So Good! Nasty cough this morning with no relief until I found your recipe! Keeping my fingers crossed!
Thank you for sharing!
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
I am so happy this homemade cough syrup is bringing you some relief. Feel better soon.
Pamela Hull
can i subtitute any other type of vinegar for apple
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
I would only use apple cider vinegar in this recipe. Regular vinegar would be very hard to swallow, and has no healing properties.
Megan Elyse McEnroe
I’m notbseing the actual recipe. I see ingredients, but no measurements.
Di i need new glasses?
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
There is a recipe card at the bottom of the post that lists the ingredients and amounts. If you cannot see it, I am not sure what the problem would be on YOUR end. All the information is clear.
Leslie
Do you warm this cough remedy up?
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
I use it a room temperature. No need to heat it before use.
Christine
Christine. January 28,2024
Made this recipe today. I was coughing every 5 minutes so I searched on Pinterest for a home remedy for coughing and came upon this one. So far i do not cough every 5 minutes. It has settle down a bit. Hopefully it really works so i can stop coughing.
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
I sure hope you can find some relief with this homemade cough remedy. Feel better soon.
Terri
I made this last night and it is Amazing. I only used 1/8 teaspoon of the pepper and it still had a bite to it so I can’t imagine using a 1/2 teaspoon but anyway this is the greatest recipe for cough syrup.
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
There is no problem adjusting the amount of cayenne in the recipe. Hope you feel better.
Courtney Bratincevic
I am NOT a fan of ACV, but this was surprisingly tasty as well as effective. I’m here again to make another batch for this current sickness. Highly reccomend! (My husband also does, the five year old does not.)
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
So glad you found this homemade cough remedy helpful. My grandkids will even take this WITH the cayenne.
Julie
This genuinely does the job. Compared to shop bought cough medicines it is so much better. My husband calls it the magic potion and takes two desert spoons.
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
I am glad you find it helpful….feel better soon.
RJ
I’ve used this before and it really does wonders ! Always have a batch made and ready to go.
Is there a compatible substitute for cinnamon ? I have a family member who is allergic to cinnamon and could really benefit from this when it comes to coughing spells due to allergies.
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
You can always leave out the cinnamon, or any ingredient that people cannot tolerate. Glad you find this DIY cough remedy helpful, we do too.
Steph
I’d had a horrible cough for over 2 weeks. Violent bouts of coughing that left me on the verge of vomiting. Even worse at night; couldn’t sleep at all. A member of my small group from church sent me a link to this recipe and went to my kitchen to make it immediately. Although skeptical, I was willing to try anything for relief. It literally stopped my cough in its tracks. I went several hours without a single cough. Not sure how, but it absolutely works! I’ve just taken another dose so praying for a restful nights sleep.
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
I am so happy you found some relief from your coughing. Thanks so much for popping by and writing this wonderful comment. I really appreciate it.
teresa
does this need refrigerated?
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
No it does not need to be refrigerted.
Debra Parkinson
I also have a covid cough for 3 months now. I’m definitely going to try this, but may I ask, Is there a substitute for the cayenne pepper?
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
I have sent you an email, so let me know how this works for you. YES you can leave out the cayenne, and I suggest this especially if you are making this for children.
Sharon
Chronic cough going into week 6 after Covid. Going to give this a go. Nothing else has worked. Hopeful😅😷
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
Oh no, well I sure hope this DIY cough remedy brings you some relief.
Krystal
What is the proper measurements of each ingredient?
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
If you scroll down to the recipe card everything you need to know is there.
Emma
I’ve been coughing for almost a week. A quick search I found your recipe, I had all the ingredients. It was so simple and tastes great. It works really fast too. Thank you.
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
I am so glad this cough remedy has helped you feel better.
Sharon
I don’t know who you are or when you posted this, but I love you!! Recovering from covid and the cough is brutal! Sent hubby to buy cough syrup, and he came home with dog & cat food, sausages and popsicles but no cough syrup! After coughing nonstop for a couple of hours, I googled homemade cough syrup, and I found you. This stuff is amazing! Silenced my cough immediately. I will sleep well tonight. You are my hero right now!
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
I am so glad you found some relief with this DIY cough remedy. I hope you are feeling better soon.